TECHNOLOGY
Hot Topics in C-store Tech The 2021 Convenience Store News Technology Leadership Roundtable & Dinner brought retailers together to discuss the most pressing items on their tech to-do lists By Melissa Kress
SET AGAINST THE BACKDROP of
the Chicago skyline, Convenience Store News brought together c-store technology executives to discuss the latest solutions exciting the industry, and what keeps them up at night. Following a successful virtual event last year, the CSNews Technology Leadership Roundtable & Dinner was held in-person this year. Taking place on the opening evening of the 2021 NACS Show, the event provided a forum for c-store tech leaders to share best practices and discuss the future technology needs of the industry. This year’s program featured a talk by Mani Suri, senior vice president and chief information officer (CIO) of 7-Eleven Inc.; a fireside chat discussion with Deb Hall Lefevre, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Alimentation CoucheTard Inc./Circle K; and the presentation of the 2021 Technology Leader of the Year Award to Levon Hooks, CIO of Kum & Go LC.
“Innovation and technology will drive the continued success for our organization,” Hooks said when accepting the award on behalf of the Des Moines, Iowa-based convenience store chain. Kum & Go is always looking for opportunities to utilize technology to drive efficiency, and drive improved or increased customer engagement and experience. Among the hot topics during the roundtable portion of the event were self-checkout, artificial intelligence, employee engagement, and loyalty programs. All participants also agreed that there are two areas in particular that the convenience channel cannot ignore: mobile payment (it’s where the market is headed) and omnichannel commerce (retailers must develop an omnichannel strategy to succeed).
In Search of Differentiation During her fireside chat, which kicked off the event, Hall Lefevre spoke about how she came to Laval, Quebec-based Couche-Tard from McDonald’s and was excited about the opportunity to try bringing digital solutions from the quickservice restaurant space into the convenience channel.
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