Convenience Matters

How can you develop a holistic brand strategy and identify points of differentiation for your brand? Hear insights from two presenters of a special advanced category management certification course offered in conjunction with the NACS Show. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Lucia Romanello Crater, EVP Sales and Business Development, Impact 21 Lucia has 25-plus years in the convenience store...

As the global convenience retail industry gets ready for the 2023 NACS Show, a James Beard Award finalist takes us on a tour of some of the unique c-store and restaurant fare around Atlanta. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Mike Jordan, Food and Culture Writer Mike Jordan is an Atlanta-based multimedia journalist covering culture through food, business, entertainment, travel and technology....

A new Transportation Energy Institute research report highlights how several surprises affected the retail fuels market over the past 10 years, and what industry stakeholders should be prepared for in the next decade. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, includin...

Retail design teams do great work but, in many cases, can benefit from experts. We look at how to decide what's best for your business in developing and executing a digital strategy. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Rick Sales, President, Abierto Networks Rick is founder and president of Abierto Networks, a leading digital engagement solutions provider focused on the convenience store and c...

NACS was founded in August 1961, but its roots go back decades earlier. We share stories about how and why the industry--and NACS--was created, and where it's going. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard

E-fuels are increasingly seen as a global alternative to electric vehicles, which until now have been the only option for achieving the decarbonization objectives set by countries throughout Europe. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Dr. Lorenz Kiene, Owner and Managing Director, Luehmann Group Lorenz is owner and managing director of the Luehmann Group, overseeing different initiatives to pr...

The acceptance of cannabis in retail has come a long way in the past decade. Today, consumers talk about the properties—a sleep aid, a solution to chronic pain, or some other benefit—as opposed to the stereotypes a few decades ago. With these changes are changes in laws and regulations regarding its sale. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Melissa Vonder Haar, Writer/Consultant, MelissaV Inc....

Food safety expert and attorney Shawn Stevens shares how his team works with companies to develop food handling protocols, interventions, and supplier partnerships to ensure convenience retailers and restaurants serve high quality and safe food for their consumers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Shawn Stevens, Founder and Food Industry Lawyer, Food Industry Counsel L...

NACS Chairman Don Rhoads visited more than 60 stores to meet with frontline employees and thank them for being the face of our industry. He also has great stories to share from several road trips with NACS staff. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Don Rhoads, 2022-23 NACS Chairman, President/CEO, The Convenience Group LLC As NACS chairman, Don also leads the NACS Executi...

Gasoline prices are more than a dollar lower than this time last year, and demand has rebounded. This episode explores how geopolitics, hurricanes and shifting demand will influence the market for the remainder of 2023. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS Denton has been with OPIS since 2001 and serves as the chief oil analyst, responsible for the da...

Most organizations will struggle with innovation. Conexxus provides convenience retailers with the tools they need to develop their own technology road map and plan for the industry's future. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Linda Toth, Managing Director, Conexxus Linda oversees all day-to-day operations of Conexxus. In addition, she advocates and collaborates on behalf of the convenience...

Credit card swipe fees cost the average American family over $1,000 a year. Bipartisan legislation in both the Senate and House of Representatives addresses the problem. Here's what business owners need to know—and what they can do—to fix the broken card system. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Doug Kantor, General Counsel, NACS Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 yea...

Cubby's is a convenience store chain that has developed an innovative approach to connecting with employees: a company-wide podcast. The episodes allow leaders to talk about the "why" behind operations in a format that can be consumed on the go. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: De Lone Wilson, President, Cubby's Inc. De Lone joined Cubby's ten years ago as vice president of operations. He...

The best solutions to solve transportation challenges are those that are customized for the customers being served. That's a session description from the recent Transportation Energy Institute (formerly known as the Fuels Institute) conference, but more broadly describes the group's past ten years, as well as its future. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director,...

24/7 Day, held every July 24, is the industry's chance to celebrate what it means to communities. Last year more than 30,000 stores participated. Find out how you can join them in 2023—and how it can help your business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Anna Felz, Director of Brand Management, TXB Stores Inc. Anna has been at TXB since 2019 and oversees all elements of brand management for...

With the summer drive season officially underway, we look at survey results that show what specific consumer needs inside the store drive the most consumer engagement and purchases. With special guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation's leading political consultants so...

What makes one fuel retailer more efficient than others? An analysis of the top brands reveals what the winning brands have in common—and where they differ. With special guests: Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS and Keith Reid, Editorial Director, Fuels Market News Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guests: Brian Norris, Executive Director of Retail Fuels, OPIS Brian joined OPI...

When hurricanes strike, convenience stores are often the last to close before the storm—and the first to reopen. It's during these tough times that c-stores truly show how they support the communities they serve during and after times of crisis. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and h...

In 2022, inflation was at a 40-year high, gasoline prices were climbing and both the supply chain and labor market were a mess. The climate has improved, but for how long? What will today's economic indicators mean for convenience store operators in 2023? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: John Benson, Partner, AlixPartners John was a featured speaker at the 2022 and 2023 NACS State of the I...

Foodservice and inside sales helped propel convenience stores to record sales in 2022. We're giving you exclusive insights on what drove the industry's strong performance and the headwinds going forward. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Managing Director, NACS Research Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of NACS Research, manages and directs depart...

There are more than 1 million convenience stores across the globe. Here's a look at sales trends in 2022 across 5 global regions and the underlying causes. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Jason Zelinski, Client Director, Convenience and Growth Accounts, NIQ Jason leads strategic planning, end-to-end client engagement, revenue management and, most importantly, client satisfaction of the la...

From locally sourced products to EV charging, 36 Lyn Refuel Station in Minneapolis makes a positive difference in its community. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Lonnie McQuirter, Director of Operations, 36 Lyn Refuel Station Lonnie operates 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independently owned, community-focused refueling station in Minneapolis. He is a member of the NACS Boa...

South Louisiana is one of the best areas in the United States to find amazing food and people at the gas station. We'll talk about what we saw and ate during a recent road trip. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, creator and host of "Tailgate Gas Station Review" A "serial entrepreneur," Stafford currently is a farmer (president of Stafford Shurden Farms...

For nearly two decades, NACS has surveyed consumers to gain their insights on convenience stores, gasoline prices and the economy. This year's results show a lot of angst, but there are opportunities for retailers to engage their customers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation's leading political consultants sought after...

"Good is the enemy of great" is a phrase many have heard, but can the same be said about comfort? Is it the enemy of progress and success? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard  About our Guest: Sterling Hawkins, Founder, Sterling Hawkins Group Sterling is an internationally recognized thought leader and is a top-rated keynote speaker on the #NoMatterWhat approach to driving growth innovation and results, regard...