Back to Normal

NACS Show 2022 highlighted advocacy, accomplishments and challenges

IT WAS THE SECOND NACS Show (post-COVID). While that exasperating viral bug refuses to disappear completely, the important business that drives the convenience store industry was back to normal on the trade show floor last month in Las Vegas.

This was my 17th NACS Show, which sounds like a lot, but I know execs who have been to the show many more years than that. It was wonderful seeing the energy on the expo floor as retailers and suppliers were able to discuss new products, programs and strategies to overcome the many difficult business challenges facing the industry. There was plenty to talk about with continued supply chain shortages, rising inflation and impending recession.

NACS put on a strong educational program that touched on important topics, such as how retailers can lobby their congressional lawmakers to pass the bipartisan Credit Card Competition Act of 2022. At the Oct. 2 general session, outgoing NACS Chairman Jared Scheeler said credit card interchange fees are the second-largest line item expense on his P&L statement. The latest Convenience Store News Industry Report found credit card expenses totaled almost $113,000 per store last year, second only to wages as an expense item.

The association encouraged audience members to text “NACS” to 50457 or go to convenience.org/fixswipe to make their voices heard to their local representatives. There’s probably no single thing a c-store retailer can do to boost their bottom line more than to get this legislation passed into law. Banks and credit card companies shouldn’t be the most profitable companies in the convenience store industry.

Later, Toyota’s chief scientist Dr. Gill Pratt and Parkland USA President Doug

Haugh took the stage to discuss the future of electric vehicles and other energy sources. I was most impressed with the degree to which Parkland in Canada has strategically rolled out chargers at its sites. Both speakers, though, agreed that electric chargers won’t soon replace gas dispensers.

A highlight of the show for many people was the annual CSNews Top Women in Convenience (TWIC) Awards Gala (see page 58). It was my ninth year emceeing this wonderful event that recognizes established and emerging female leaders making their mark on the convenience store industry. Congratulations to all 91 women recognized as Senior-Level Leaders, Rising Stars and Mentors, as well as the five Women of the Year: Holly Angell of 7-Eleven Inc., Allison Cornish of Pilot Co., Danielle Holloway of Altria Group Distribution Co., Julie Jackson of G&M Oil Co., and Colette Matthews of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc./Circle K.

Kudos also to Casey’s General Stores Inc., recipient of the first-ever Top Women in Convenience Corporate Empowerment Award for its commitment to gender equality and promoting female leadership and advancement. CEO Darren Rebelez, caught by surprise, accepted the award on behalf of the company and thanked his “remarkable team.”

Launching and serving as master of ceremonies for TWIC has been one of the most satisfying accomplishments of my career. This year’s gala attracted a record 437 attendees. A big thank you to everyone who made this year’s event such a success, including our keynote speaker 7-Eleven Inc. President and CEO Joe DePinto, our TWIC Advisory Board members, and our loyal sponsors.

I’m already looking forward to next year’s 10th anniversary TWIC celebration.

It was wonderful seeing the energy on the expo floor as retailers and suppliers were able to discuss new products, programs and strategies to overcome the many difficult business challenges facing the industry.

For comments, please contact Don Longo, Editorial Director Emeritus, at dlongo@ensembleiq.com.

COVER STORY PAGE 32 28

FEATURES

COVER STORY

32 Off & Running Retailer Executive of the Year Doug Haugh has assembled a powerhouse team to grow Parkland USA’s retail business.

FEATURE

40 Making Their Mark This year’s Future Leaders in Convenience honorees are leading the way in making the convenience channel better and bolder than ever.

FEATURE

58 Celebrating the 2022 Top Women in Convenience This year’s event featured a record number of honorees and drew record industry attendance.

98

DEPARTMENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE

3 Leading by Letting Others Shine Doug Haugh offers a master class in the art of empowering others. 24 New Products

SMALL OPERATOR

28 The Future Is in the Details Visiting the NACS Show is a bit like reading the tea leaves to see what the future holds.

VIEWPOINT

4 Back to Normal NACS Show 2022 highlighted advocacy, accomplishments and challenges.

INSIDE THE CONSUMER MIND

98 The Mobile Customer Providing a compelling mobile experience has never been more important.

10 CSNews Online

24

12

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

INDUSTRY ROUNDUP

12 GPM Investments Set to Enter Massachusetts

16 Eye on Growth 18 Fast Facts

20 Retailer Tidbits

22 Supplier Tidbits

TECHNOLOGY

78 Playing the Loyalty Game Points-based rewards programs are giving way to fostering emotional connections. CATEGORY MANAGEMENT

TOBACCO

74 A Promising Alternative The modern oral nicotine category is gaining traction amid regulatory anticipation.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

76 Tapping Opportunities in Today’s Tough Retail Climate Economic challenges are driving many consumers to socialize and celebrate at home.

BRAND MANAGEMENT Vice President/Group Brand Director Paula Lashinsky (917) 446-4117 plashinsky@ensembleiq.com EDITORIAL

Editor-in-Chief Linda Lisanti llisanti@ensembleiq.com Executive Editor Melissa Kress mkress@ensembleiq.com Senior Editor Angela Hanson ahanson@ensembleiq.com Managing Editor Danielle Romano dromano@ensembleiq.com Editorial Director Emeritus Don Longo dlongo@ensembleiq.com Contributing Editor Renée M. Covino reneek@aol.com Contributing Editor Tammy Mastroberte tmastroberte@gmail.com ADVERTISING SALES & BUSINESS

Associate Brand Director & Northeast Sales Manager (774) 212-6455 Rachel McGaffigan 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 (917) 634-7471 tkanganis@ensembleiq.com Classified Production Manager Mary Beth Medley (856) 809-0050 marybeth@marybethmedley.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 Creative Director Colette Magliaro

(973) 607-1320 cmagliaro@ensembleiq.com

Advertising/Production Manager (773) 992-4418 Ed Ward eward@ensembleiq.com

Art Director (973) 607-1321 Lauren DiMeo ldimeo@ensembleiq.com

64 Setting the Cruise Control to Success

68 Finding Success in Prepared Food

70 Finding Success in Dispensed Beverages

72 Finding Success in Fresh Bakery

73 Finding Success in Intersecting Foodservice & Technology

CORPORATE OFFICERS

Chief Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer Chief People Officer Executive Vice President, Production Executive Vice President, Content & Communications Jennifer Litterick Jane Volland Ann Jadown Derek Estey

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 2022 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. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Convenience Store News, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave. Ste. 200, Chicago, IL 60631.