Convenience Matters

While total industry transactions declined nearly 14% in 2020, basket sizes increased by almost 19% compared with 2019. We're digging into those numbers to identify the opportunities retailers can activate this year and beyond.

Related Links:

NACS Research NACS State of the Industry Survey NACS State of the Industry Report Blog: The Why Behind Convenience Stores

Previous Episodes featuring Lori Stillman: #223 The Future for Convenience is About Winning Trips #218 The Survey Says…Consumers Love Convenience

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Chris Blasinsky, Content Strategist, NACS

About our Guest:

Lori Stillman, Vice President of Research, NACS

Lori Stillman is Vice President of Research for NACS where she oversees the association's research portfolio — including the NACS State of the Industry suite of products and events, the Convenience Voices Program and monthly data insights from the CSX industry database — among other programs.

Consumers are interested in a sense of fulfillment when they shop their local convenience store, whether through innovative products, store cleanliness or friendly interactions with employees. In this episode, we're talking about how retailers can meet and exceed customer needs by incorporating modern store design.

Related Links:

Cenex LIFT Initiative Cenex Home Page

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, CHS

Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels marketing at CHS, where he is responsible for Cenex brand marketing, retail development and retail imaging and equipment for Cenex, which has more than 1,500 convenience store locations across 19 states.

In his more than 10 years at CHS, Hussain has held a number of roles including manager of petroleum equipment and manager of refined fuels marketing. A Minnesota native, he received his degree in marketing from Metropolitan State University.

NACS Convenience Voices research examines data from thousands of convenience store shoppers through mobile interviews to learn about their preferences, behaviors, attitudes and purchases. Hear about opportunities retailers can capitalize on to grow sales and increase customer frequency.

Related Links:

NACS Convenience Voices Program

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Stephanie Sikorski, Vice President of Marketing, NACS

About our Guest:

Leroy Kelsey, Director of Research, NACS

Leroy Kelsey is the director of research at NACS and is responsible for disseminating key industry metrics that provide NACS retail and supplier members with performance benchmarks, as well as information critical to the industry's advocacy efforts on payment cards, motor fuels and tobacco. Prior to NACS, he spent five years with Intel and Motorola and five years with Safeway in a variety of roles in business analytics, finance and cost control. Kelsey received a BS in industrial engineering from North Carolina State University in Raleigh and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.

A strong brand matches colors, words, emotions, beliefs, and attitudes to earn the customers that you want most. In this episode, the author of "Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand that Doesn't," gives tips to create and nurture a successful brand.

Related Links:

Ernburn Brands Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand That Doesn't NACS Marketing Leadership Program

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and Britt Brewer, Marketing Manager, NACS

About our Guest:

Ernie Harker, Brand Ignitor, Ernburn Branding

Ernie Harker started a creative production studio in 1995 called 8fish, well-known for animation, video production, writing, directing and branding among ad agencies and dozens of direct clients such as Maverik, Inc., Extra Space Self Storage, Chuck Norris's Cforce water, Rocky Mountain Yeti auto group, Bountiful Mazda, Country Fair convenience stores, and more. Ernie recently published "Your Brand Sucks: How to Ignite a Brand That Doesn't" and has also written and illustrated "Monster Factory- How to Draw Adorable Monsters" and a book to finally get your kids to do their chores titled "They're Waiting For Me!"

The global pandemic placed a new premium on physical health and safety and that's led to a rapid embrace of new mobile payment options. What can retailers and consumers do to ensure their own digital safety?

Related Links:

Conexxus Data Privacy Resources Conexxus Home Page Article: Is a Tailored Managed Fraud Service Right for Your Business?

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS

About our Guests:

Danny Omiliak, Senior Consultant, W. Capra

Danny Omiliak is an experienced consultant with expertise in payments and retail technology, loyalty, fraud and data privacy at W. Capra. Danny also chairs the Conexxus Data Privacy Working Group. Danny graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Business-Management Consulting and Economics.

Casey Zenner, Director of Enterprise Sales, Kount

Casey Zenner is the Director of Enterprise Sales for Kount, based in Boise, Idaho. Kount is a leading provider of fraud mitigation technology to the market.

Enough dancing around, it's time to look ahead at the future of cars because an electric reality is coming quickly - very quickly if you live in places that mandate it soon like the UK. We're talking about what the future might hold for cars, customers and travel.

Related Links:

The Future of the Car & Roadside Retail Shop Talk LIVE Global Convenience Store Focus Electric Vehicle Council NACS topic: Electric Vehicles NACS Convenience Summit Europe The NACS Show 2021

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS and John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute

About our Guest:

Dan Munford, Executive Director, InsightResarch

Dan Munford is a recognized expert on the European and international convenience and fuel retail markets. He has unrivalled knowledge of and connections into European convenience & fuel retail operators at the highest level. As Managing Director at Insight Research, Dan originated the NACS relationship that has been an important part of the Insight and NACS international business for more than a decade. He has worked as a consultant on retailer strategy projects at main board level for many years for diverse convenience & fuel retail businesses globally. Dan is a Special Advisor to NACS International Board and NACS Regional Representative for Europe.

How did gas prices get where they are in 2021 and what are some long-term implications for where gasoline demand and prices are going over the next few years? All that and more on this week's episode.

Related Links:

NACS Fuels Resource Center OPIS Blog OPIS Homepage Fuels Institute Report: Proposals to Ban the Sale of Combustion Engine Vehicles

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Donovan Woods, Director of Operations, Fuels Institute

About our Guest:

Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, Oil Price Information Service (OPIS)

In more than a decade with OPIS, Denton has covered nearly all markets for which OPIS has price discovery. Before being named Chief Oil Analyst, he was Executive Editor for U.S. Refined Products, overseeing day-to-day market coverage operations. During his time as a Markets Editor, his primary focus was on the heavily benchmarked U.S. West Coast. He graduated from Rutgers University in 1997 with a degree in Journalism and Mass Media.

The Colonial Pipeline transports more than 100 million gallons of fuel each day from Houston, Texas, to the New York Harbor. Hear how refined product moves across this 5,500-mile system, and how it comes back online after a disaster strikes.

Related Links:

Interview with Daniel Gordon, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company

Consumer Energy Alliance Pipelines for America How Refineries and Pipelines Resume Operations NACS Fuels Resource Center Fuels Market News Colonial Pipeline

Hosted by:

John Eichberger, Executive Director, The Fuels Institute and Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Daniel Gordon, VP & Chief Commercial Officer, Colonial Pipeline Company

Daniel Gordon is Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer. In his role, Gordon leads Colonial's commercial affairs functions by maximizing opportunities to grow the company and position Colonial for long-term success. Gordon brings approximately 20 years of commercial affairs experience to his new role at Colonial, all focused in the energy industry. Most recently, he was Executive Vice President, Business Development for Delek US Holdings, Inc. He began his career with RaceTrac Petroleum. There he served as Executive Director of Supply and Distribution, where he oversaw the distribution of more than two billion gallons of refined fuels and directed supply and trading, scheduling, commercial, and transportation. In this role, he also gained valuable insight into Colonial Pipeline as a shipper on the system.

Engaging customers is something Disney and convenience stores have in common. A former Disney employee-turned-convenience retailer shares how c-store employees can delight and exceed customer expectations each day with positive experiences that build brand loyalty and repeat customers.

Related Links:

https://www.convenience.org/Topics/HumanResources https://www.convenience.org/events/HR-Forum https://www.convenience.org/events/HR-Executive-Circle https://www.sprintmart.com/employment/

Hosted by:

Jeff Lenard, VP Strategic Industry Initiatives, NACS and Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Chris McKinney, Director of Human Resources, Sprint Mart

With experience spanning some of the world's most recognized and admired companies, Chris McKinney now leads Human Resources strategy and operations for a suite of companies: Victory Marketing, LLC (dba Sprint Mart), Burgers & More, Inc. and Morris Petroleum, Inc. Chris believes people are a company's largest asset and dedicates every moment to providing organizations the tools to develop their people at all levels. Beginning his HR career with The Walt Disney Co. in Learning & Development, Chris has both designed and facilitated multiple training curriculums for The Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL.

The Retailer Deep Dive series showcases industry leaders who are staying ahead of the ever-changing consumer and retail landscape. In this episode, Lonnie McQuirter of 36 Lyn Refuel Station shares how he relies on his NACS community to grow and how his Minneapolis community relies on him to thrive. Watch additional videos at convenience.org/36Lyn.

Hosted by:

Carolyn Schnare, Director Strategic Initiatives, NACS

About our Guest:

Lonnie McQuirter, Founder, 36 Lyn Refuel Station

36 Lyn Refuel Station is a small, independently-run convenience store that specializes in providing locally sourced food to communities in South Minneapolis. Thirteen years ago, Lonnie McQuirter bought 36 Lyn Refuel station, which "was in desperate need of TLC," embracing the challenge of turning the store into a place that provided not just gas, but healthy food and community connections.