A Show Like No Other

The NACS Show’s return is just what the industry needed

THE SUCCESSFUL RETURN of the NACS Show, held last month in Chicago, signaled a rebirth for the convenience store industry. After last year’s show hiatus and almost two years of an extremely challenging business environment caused by the COVID19 pandemic, the convenience store industry was able to meet in person to network, learn together, and reforge the critical partnerships and relationships that have fueled this remarkable channel.

It was great to see the faces of so many friends and business associates, even if they were behind masks. I thought that attendance was much better than most expected considering the sparse number of international attendees due to travel restrictions.

I know many exhibitors reduced the number of people they sent to the show, which reduced overall traffic in the aisles, but among the retailers I spoke with, almost all of them sent a contingent of their top executives. There was no shortage of key decision-makers.

Retailers and exhibitors were very optimistic about improving business conditions. Perhaps it was the euphoria of finally meeting in person again. Or, more likely, it was the real improvement retailers are seeing in their sales as consumers across the nation are getting out again, going back to work, taking their kids to school, etc.

My Fitbit tells me I walked nearly 20,000 steps each day, but I don’t think I saw more than half of the expo floor. Of what I did see, I was impressed. Rather than taking a break from innovation due to the weakened COVID business conditions, manufacturers were showing lots of new items, new flavors, and new technology. There was an expansion of better-for-you food and beverage offerings. I saw new energy drinks and new hard seltzers. New flavors like Strawberry-Apricot and Dragon Fruit.

Of course, the buzz at the show was all about continued supply-chain challenges and out-of-stocks. The labor shortage and the rising costs of everything were also forefront on retailers’ minds.

Convenience Store News conducted three events during the show: our annual Technology Leadership Roundtable & Dinner, the Top Women in Convenience Awards Gala, and a meeting of our new Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board. All were well-attended and big successes.

The overall vibe at the show may have been a little subdued, but everyone I’ve spoken with said that it was a busy and productive week — and just what the industry needed.

For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director, at (201) 855-7606 or dlongo@ensembleiq.com.

EDITORIAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS (2013-2021)

2021 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Infographics, June 2021 2018 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Best Single Issue, October 2012 2013 Jesse H. Neal National Business Journalism Award Finalist, Best Profile, August 2012

2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Bronze, Best Original Research, June 2015 2016 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best How-To Article, March 2015 Silver, Best Original Research, June 2015 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, National Azbee Awards Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2015 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Gold, Best Special Supplement, November 2014 Silver, Best Profile (long form), February 2014 2013 American Society of Business Press Editors, Midwest Regional Azbee Awards Bronze, Best Editorial/Commentary, July 2012 2020 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Series of Articles, September 2019 2018 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Website Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2017 Business to Business, Editorial Use of Data, June 2017 2017 Eddie Award, Folio: magazine Winner, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, May 2017 Honorable Mention, Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, June 2016 2016 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2015 Business to Business, Retail, Single/Series of Articles, August 2015 2015 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2014 2014 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2013 Business to Business, Retail, Single Article, February 2013 2013 Eddie Award Honorable Mention, Folio: magazine Business to Business, Retail, Full Issue, October 2012

2020 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Honorable Mention, Best Single Issue, September 2019 2016 Trade Association Business Publications Intl. Tabbie Awards Silver, Front Cover Illustration, June 2015 EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Laura Aufleger

OnCue Express

Ray Johnson

Speedee Mart

Chad Beck Core-Mark

Edward Davidson

Ed Davidson & Associates (7-Eleven Inc., retired)

Robert Falciani

ExtraMile Convenience Stores

Jim Hachtel

Eby-Brown Co.

Chris Hartman

Rutter’s

Ruth Ann Lilly

GPM Investments LLC

Vito Maurici

McLane Co. Inc.

Matt Paduano

Lakeport Markets

Jonathan Polansky Plaid Pantries Inc.

Greg Scriver Kwik Trip Inc.

Roy Strasburger

StrasGlobal

COVER STORY PAGE 30 22

FEATURES

COVER STORY

30 Investing in Success Retailer Executive of the Year Kevin Smartt is cultivating the people and business practices that ensure a bright future.

FEATURE

40 Forging Their Path This year’s record class of Future Leaders in Convenience are ready to lead the industry forward.

FEATURE

62 Celebrating the 2021 Top Women In Convenience An awards gala, held against the backdrop of the 2021 NACS Show, brought together the c-store industry to applaud the achievements of 74 outstanding women.

62

DEPARTMENTS

VIEWPOINT

3 A Show Like No Other The NACS Show’s return is just what the industry needed.

8 CSNews Online

18 New Products

SMALL OPERATOR

22 Talking Tech Growth of third-party software, cloud-based platforms and other solutions is making key technologies more affordable and attainable for small operators.

86 66

STORE SPOTLIGHT

66 Dispelling C-store Industry Misconceptions C’s Market focuses on carrying quality products at low prices and building community connections.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

86 The Conversation Around Cannabis Exclusive research shows an existing user base among c-store shoppers.

10

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

10 Yesway Files for Up to $100M IPO 12 FDA Authorizes First Vapor Products Through PMTA Pathway 14 Eye on Growth 14 Fast Facts

16 Retailer Tidbits

16 Supplier Tidbits

TECHNOLOGY

58 Engineering Loyalty Program Success Keeping it simple, presenting personalized offers and utilizing the newest technology can help create brand superfans.

54

CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

FOODSERVICE

50 The New Values of Food More than half of consumers think food brands should engage in key social issues.

TOBACCO

52 A Long & Winding Road It has taken 10 years, but the Food and Drug Administration finally gave the regulatory thumbs-up to some vapor products.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

54 Beyond Beer New innovations continue to pour into the alcoholic beverages space.

8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631 (773) 992-4450 Fax: (773) 992-4455 www.csnews.com

BRAND MANAGEMENT Vice President/Group Brand Director Paula Lashinsky (917) 446-4117 plashinsky@ensembleiq.com EDITORIAL Editorial Director Don Longo (201) 855-7606 dlongo@ensembleiq.com Editor-in-Chief Linda Lisanti (201) 855-7608 llisanti@ensembleiq.com Senior News Editor Melissa Kress (201) 855-7618 mkress@ensembleiq.com Senior Editor Angela Hanson (201) 855-7619 ahanson@ensembleiq.com Managing Editor Danielle Romano (201) 855-7604 dromano@ensembleiq.com Contributing Editor Renée M. Covino (303) 741-3377 reneek@aol.com Contributing Editor Tammy Mastroberte (201) 280-2614 tmastroberte@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES & BUSINESS Associate Brand Director & Northeast Sales Manager Rachel McGaffigan (774) 212-6455 rmcgaffigan@ensembleiq.com Associate Brand Director & Western Sales Manager Ron Lowy (330) 840-9557 rlowy@ensembleiq.com Associate Publisher & Midwest Sales Manager Kelly Fischer (773) 992-4464 kfischer@ensembleiq.com Account Executive & Classified Advertising Terry Kanganis (201) 855-7615 tkanganis@ensembleiq.com Classified Production Manager Mary Beth Medley (856) 809-0050 marybeth@marybethmedley.com EVENTS Executive Vice President, Events & Conferences Ed Several (860) 830-8321 eseveral@ensembleiq.com AUDIENCE List Rental MeritDirect (914) 309-3378 Marie Briganti Subscriber Services/Customer Care contact@csnews.com TOLL-FREE: (877) 687-7321 FAX: (888) 520-3608 PROJECT MANAGEMENT/PRODUCTION/ART Vice President, Production Derek Estey (877) 687-7321 destey@ensembleiq.com Creative Director Colette Magliaro (973) 607-1320 cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com Advertising/Production Manager Ed Ward (773) 992-4418 eward@ensembleiq.com Art Director Lauren DiMeo (973) 607-1321 ldimeo@ensembleiq.com

CORPORATE OFFICERS Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief Innovation Officer

Jennifer Litterick Jane Volland Tanner Van Dusen Chief Human Resources Officer Ann Jadown Executive Vice President, Events & Conferences Ed Several Senior Vice President, Content Joe Territo

CONVENIENCE STORE NEWS AFFILIATIONS

Premier Trade Press Exhibitor

The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations.

Convenience Store News (ISSN 0194-8733; USPS 515-950) is published 12 times per year, monthly, by EnsembleIQ, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave., Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631. Subscription rates: Subscription rate in the United States: $125 one year; $230 two year; $14 single issue copy; Canada and Mexico: $150 one year; $270 two year; $16 single issue copy; Foreign: $170 one year; $325 two year; $16 single issue copy; Digital One year, digital $87; two year, $161. Periodical postage paid at Chicago, IL 60631, and additional mailing addresses. Copyright 2021 by EnsembleIQ. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Reprints, permissions and licensing, please contact Wright’s Media at ensembleiq@wrightsmedia.com or (877) 652-5295. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Convenience Store News, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631.