2022
Leaders in Convenience
Cultivating Strong Partnerships Erin Del Conte • Executive Editor
2021 BROUGHT with it continued upheaval due to the COVID-19 pandemic with retailers facing labor shortages as well as out-ofstocks caused by supply chain issues. Luckily, c-store retailers didn’t have to face the challenges alone. Many turned to their top suppliers in each category for insights and solutions in navigating the ongoing crisis. Leading suppliers in the convenience store industry rushed to plug holes in the supply chain with alternate products and packaging to help retailers keep shelves filled despite ongoing challenges. As lockdowns ended and customers came flocking back to stores for the breakfast daypart, foodservice suppliers helped retailers update their menus to meet new customer demands. Technology suppliers gave c-store retailers the tools to create a more contactless store through self-checkout, mobile payments and foodservice touchscreens, which also helped off-set ongoing staffing challenges. As we begin 2022 and the omicron variant rears its head it appears the rocky terrain is set to continue. In these challenging times, partnering with best-in-class companies and growing these key supplier relationships through ongoing communication has never been more important. Leading supplier companies can help retailers find substitute products, take advantage of new technology, use data analytics to make planogram decisions, stay on top of the latest trends, problem solve unforeseen issues and more. The pages that follow include a number of best-in-class suppliers across categories that are committed to helping convenience store retailers expand their business in 2022 and meet this year’s challenges head on. If you find a supplier in this section that looks like it might align with your growth needs in the year ahead, don’t hesitate to reach out to them. It could be one of the most important steps you take for your c-store business this year. cstoredecisions.com
CSTORE DECISIONS
I
LEADERS IN CONVENIENCE 2022
5
