Convenience Matters

Roughly one third of all ATMs in the United States are in convenience stores. Although ATMs offer easy access to cash and financial transactions, they can be an easy target for criminals. We're discussing how you can grow and protect your business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: David Tente, Executive Director, USA, Canada & Americas, ATMIA (the ATM Industry Association) David serves as t...

2022 saw gas prices top $5 and dip to under $3, driven by some factors that are still affecting the market. This year's transportation trends are lining up to affect the car you drive, how you use it and how you refuel (or recharge) it. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank fo...

Aaron McHugh sought balance, but instead felt defeated, more stressed and more burdened. Hear how he found a way for adventure, work, life, play, relationships, rest and finances to co-exist. Related Link: Aaron McHugh Hosted by: Chrissy Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Aaron McHugh, Executive Coach & Senior Affiliate Advisor to McKinsey/Aberkyn Aaron is an executive coach, writer, podca...

7-Eleven's Evolution stores are a testing ground that allows customers to experience the retailer's newest innovations and products—and they are redefining the concept of convenience. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Molly Long, Vice President of Store Evolution & Design, 7-Eleven Inc. Molly is responsible for all design-related activities associated with both the physical store as well as...

Although ESG reporting is voluntary, that is poised to shift. And it's not just for the publicly traded retailers—privately held retailers also could be affected by proposed ESG policies. Hosted by: John Eichberger and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Mike Roman, Senior Fellow, Public Policy/ESG, American Council for Capital Formation Mike has more than 40 years of global energy industry experience. I...

Industry icon Rick Brindle shares what he's learned and what he's looking forward to as a new chapter begins on his 46-year retail industry career. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Rick Brindle, Vice President of Industry Development, Mondelēz International Rick Brindle has a long track record of breakthrough success in the in the food and beverage consumer product goo...

Spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails have exploded in popularity over the last few years. Outdated laws keep convenience stores in many states from selling these products. In states like Texas, retailers are fighting for change. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Paul Hardin, President & CEO, Texas Food & Fuel Association Paul Hardin, CAE, is president & CEO of Texas Food & Fuel Associatio...

TXB has done much more than rebrand a previous store concept: It's redefined the concept of convenience. Stores have a focus on fresh, local food and its local roots. After all, it's Texas born. Related Link: TXB Stores Inc. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Kevin Smartt, CEO, TXB Stores Inc. Kevin is CEO of TXB Stores, formerly known as Kwik Chek Food Stores, a chain of approximately 50 lo...

From hand washing to why you should never rinse raw poultry during food prep, we're breaking down some of the biggest safe food handling risks that may be happening in your stores. Related Links: Food Safety Talk Risky or Not Safe Plates Hosted by: Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Benjamin Chapman, Professor, Food Safety Extension Specialist North Carolina State University Chapman's interest in...

Two-store operator Anthony Perrine shares ideas he's implemented at his family's company, Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries, that go well beyond traditional c-store retail: part bakery, coffee shop, apparel store, neighborhood hangout and a lot of fun. Hosted by: Britt Brewer and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Anthony Perrine, Owner, Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries Lou Perrine's Gas & Groceries is a...

Loss prevention and security concerns have become a big concern in 2022. What can convenience retailers do to ensure that their stores remain welcoming to customers and uninviting to criminals? Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Amber Bradley, Founder and Owner, Calibration Group Amber has been in the loss prevention industry for more than 15 years. She currently serves as executive director...

The Credit Card Competition Act would bring long-overdue competition to the credit card marketplace, significantly reducing swipe fees. Here's what you need to know—and do—to help move this effort forward. Related Link: Fix Swipe Fees Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel Doug joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe &...

Most consumers (97%) rely on digital searches to find a business or a service. The convenience retail industry has a massive opportunity to redefine its digital identity and drive both customer traffic and sales. Related Links: THRIVR Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Lori Stillman, NACS Vice President, Research and Education Lori joined NACS in 2019 and leads the assoc...

Disaster and recovery plans helped convenience and fuels retailers in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian be among the first businesses to reopen. We'll talk about how they prepared and about current conditions in the hardest hit areas. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Ned Bowman, Executive Director, Florida Petroleum Marketers Association Ned Bowman grew up in Connecticut in a family of seve...

Convenience stores sell hundreds of different brands, and retailers can put a focus on these brands by pricing, placement and promotions. But what about the most important brand in your store--your brand? We discuss what you need to do to make sure your brand is top of mind with customers--and that your store offer matches that brand promise. Related Link: www.ab-net.us Hosted by: Jeff Lenard Abou...

We're talking with a convenience retail industry icon how the end of the NACS Show is the start of a bigger strategic planning process. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Jeff Miller, CEO and President, Millers Energy Jeff is CEO and president of Millers Energy, based in Norfolk, Va. The company was founded in 1977 and is in the residential heating and air-conditioning,...

We're talking about pressing issues that convenience retailing industry executives are facing, and how NACS is addressing them. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Henry Armour, NACS President and CEO Henry is third president and CEO to lead NACS in its 61-year history. His tenure began in July 2005, following a long history with the association. He served two one-year te...

From just 8 veteran volunteers to 150,000-plus today, Team Rubicon is rebuilding global communities before, during and after disasters and crises. Related Link: Team Rubicon Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Jake Wood, Founder and Executive Chairman, Team Rubicon Since 2010, Team Rubicon, the fastest growing and most innovative disaster response organization in the worl...

By building trust and connection, customers will make your business the logical choice when the market needs your product or services. Related Link: Unmarketing Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Scott Stratten, Founder, Partner, Speaker Scott is best-known for the concept that is also the name of the company he founded in 2002: UnMarketing. Together, Scott and his wife Alison have taught the...

With billions of dollars being invested in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, what will the demand for EV chargers look like during the next 10 years? Related Link: Fuels Institute Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute John leads the Fuels Institute, a nonprofit, independent think tank founded in 2013 and managed by NACS. Prior to the F...

From rural Mississippi to Key West and New Orleans, Stafford Shurden knows where to find delicious and authentic food at local gas stations in c-stores. Related Link: Stafford Shurden Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stafford Shurden, host of "Gas Station Tailgate Review" Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the sout...

As the fall months approach, here's what consumers and retailers can expect from the gas, diesel and oil markets. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Denton Cinquegrana, Chief Oil Analyst, OPIS For more than a decade, Denton has covered nearly all markets where OPIS has price discovery. Prior to becoming the chief oil analyst at OPIS, he was executive editor for U.S. refined products, overseei...

Small operators like The Hub's Jared Scheeler are always on the lookout for big ideas that will transform their convenience stores. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores Jared is the 2021-22 NACS Chairman. He began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where he wo...

We're breaking down what convenience retailers need to know as they prepare for an amazing experience at this year's NACS Show in Las Vegas. Related Links: NACS Show NACS Food Safety Conference Category Management Certification Pre-Conference Workshop Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jeff McQuilkin, Director, Exhibit Sales and Services, NACS Jeff has been with NACS since 2017 and is the...

At the halfway point of 2022, NACS data is revealing operational opportunities and lingering challenges that will last throughout the year. Related Links: NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data NACS Research NACS CSX Database NACS State of the Industry Compensation Report of 2021 Data Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Director of Business Development for NACS Chri...