Convenience Matters

How retailers can define their value amid uncertainty around elevated gas prices and record-high inflation. Related Links: Cenex Cenex LIFT Initiative NACS Magazine, "Face LIFT" Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, Cenex Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels marketing at Cenex, where he is responsible for brand marketing, retail dev...

There are many optimistic projections about EVs becoming a significant part of our transportation future, but very few account for current roadblocks. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Jay Smith, Partner at Capital Results Jay oversees the communications division at Capital Results and helps clients from all sectors of the economy achieve their policy and strategic goals. Doug Kantor, NACS...

Hear how the global convenience retailer quickly moved to support its teams and operations in Eastern and Central Europe related to the war in Ukraine. Related Link: Circle K Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Mark Wohltmann About our Guest: Niall Anderton, Senior Vice President Operations, Central Eastern Europe and Ireland (SVP CEE & Ireland), Circle K Niall's overall responsibility is for the Circle K...

Effective marketing and communications can help convenience retailers drive customers inside the store. Related Links: Abierto Networks Rutter's Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: 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 convenience foodservice retail industr...

The convenience retail community unites to celebrate first responders, medical and emergency professionals and Red Cross volunteers on July 24, also known as 24/7 Day. Related Links: 24/7 Day Yesway NACS Foundation Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Stephanie Sikorski About our Guest: Derek Gaskins, Chief Marketing Officer, Yesway Derek has an impressive career in the convenience and fuel retailing indust...

Industry experts break down how environment, social and governance (ESG) issues are growing and facing regulatory requirements that could have enormous implications for the fuels industry. Related Links: Fuels Institute "The Case for Developing an ESG Plan" American Council for Capital Formation SEC Proposes to Enhance Disclosures by Certain Investment Advisers and Investment Companies About ESG I...

From salty to sweet, indulgent or healthy, here's how convenience stores satisfy their customers' cravings for snacks. Related Links: NACS State of the Industry Report of 2021 Data Convenience Voices NACS Magazine Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Tim Young Tim is an experienced category manager within the convenience retail channel who also uses social media to share sto...

Charlie McIlvaine of Coen Markets takes us on a deep dive into the convenience retail industry's financial and operational performance data. Related Links: Coen NACS Research Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Charlie McIlvaine, Chairman and CEO, Coen Markets Inc. Charlie and his brother, Andy, manage the Coen Markets, Coen Energy, Coen Tire, and Coen Transport in the Pitt...

How a convenience store food favorite inspired a song and a YouTube channel. Related Links: Tailgate Gas Station Review "Gas Station Chicken" by The Nighthawks Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Stafford Shurden, Host of "Tailgate Gas Station Review" Stafford is a farmer, restaurant owner and former justice court judge. In between farming and cooking, he tours the south giving inspirational...

Convenience stores are getting ready to be road trip destinations for 34.9 million travelers this summer. Related Links: AAA Newsroom AAA Gas Prices Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Andrew Gross, National Public Relations Manager, AAA Andrew manages media relations for AAA's Foundation for Traffic Safety and Public Affairs, including communications and PR campaigns. He j...

Stephanie Stuckey is on a mission to revive the Stuckey's brand and experience for road trippers. Related Links: Stuckey's NACS Magazine | "Roadside Revival" Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stephanie Stuckey, CEO, Stuckey's Corp Stuckey's is a roadside chain and family-owned business headquartered in Eastman, Georgia, that has proudly sold pecan log rolls and rubber alligators to highway t...

Scissors? Pool noodles? Find out more tips of the trade from someone who knows all about road trips. Related Links: Gas Station Gourmet NACS Magazine Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet Al knows convenience stores. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing a column for NACS Magazine since 2011 to bring the story of A...

NACS research unlocks "moment of truth" insights on convenience store shopper behaviors and their purchasing decisions. Related Links: Convenience Voices Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Leroy Kelsey, Director of Research, NACS Leroy works with NACS retailer and supplier members to cultivate and share industry performance benchmarks as well as operational and category metrics that suppo...

A known brand creates awareness that attracts customers to your forecourt, entices them to shop your store and establishes it as a community gathering spot—especially in small towns. Related Links: Cenex Cenex LIFT Initiative NACS Magazine: "Face LIFT" Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Akhtar Hussain, Director of Refined Fuels Marketing, CENEX Akhtar Hussain is the director of refined fuels...

McKinsey experts share why employees leave their jobs, what employers think are the reasons and what it would take to keep employees from quitting. Related Links: McKinsey & Company NACS Leadership Forum | NACS Magazine How To Attract Employees Marshfield Hills General Store Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Annie Valkova, Associate Partner, McKinsey & Company Annie Valkova is an associate...

The bones were good at the location Pitmaster Carey Bringle chose for his latest BBQ restaurant, Bringle's Smoking Oasis. Related Links: Peg Leg Porker Bringle's Smoking Oasis Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Carey Bringle, Pitmaster and Founder of Peg Leg Porker Bringle founded his first restaurant, Peg Leg Porker, in 2013. Peg Leg Porker is named after Bringle and his...

A convenience store with its own brewery? Yep! Chicagoland PRIDE Stores have even more innovation and excitement in the works. Related Links: The PRIDE Stores 93 Octane Brewery Parent Petroleum Ideas 2 Go: Parent Petroleum's Brewing Success The Big Question Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Rose Johnson About our Guest: Mario Spina, owner and CEO, Parent Petroleum Mario is the owner and CEO of St. Charle...

Retail fueling experts break down current market conditions affecting the price per gallon. Related Links: NACS Fuels Resource Center Fuels Institute Hosted by:  Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Paige Anderson, Director of Government Relations, NACS Paige represents NACS members before Congress and the administration on policy issues relating to fuels, energy, cyber and data security, consumer data p...

From culture to automation, Jared Scheeler shares how his company is tackling labor challenges. Related Links: "Thinking Big," NACS Magazine, January 2022 Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores Scheeler, who is also the 2021-22 NACS chairman, began his career in the convenience industry in 1998 while attending the University of M...

Not all emissions are equal. A new study explores how energy can determine where EVs and hybrids reduce emissions. Hint: It varies considerably by region. Related Links: Fuels Institute Life Cycle Analysis: Electric and Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles   Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Fuels Institute John Eichberger leads the Fue...

What President Biden's address means for the convenience and fuel retailing industry. Related Links: Merchants Payments Coalition NACS Advocacy   NACS Day on the Hill Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chris Blasinsky About our Guest: Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel Doug joined NACS in May 2021 after serving as a partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP, where he worked with the NACS government relations team t...

From flavored milk to supporting service dogs and veterans, Kurt Weigel shares how the 90-year-old company is just getting started. Related Links: Weigel's NACS Ideas 2 Go | Weigel's NACS HR Forum Smoky Mountain Service Dogs Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Britt Brewer About our Guest: Kurt Weigel, Recruiting Manager, Weigel's Stores Inc. You'll find Kurt Weigel at the Powell, Tennessee-based Weige...

Vehicle sales trends have massive implications for the economy and the future of fueling. What's affecting sales now, and what could change in the next five years? Related Links: National Automobile Dealers Association NACS Fuels Resource Center Fuels Institute Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and John Eichberger About our Guest: Patrick Manzi, Chief Economist, National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)...

Foodie, writer, and TV personality Al Hebert is passionate about food and where to find it: at the local gas station. Related Links: Gas Station Gourmet NACS Magazine Hosted by:  Chris Blasinsky and Rose Johnson About our Guest: Al Hebert, Founder, Gas Station Gourmet Al Hebert lives for America's gas stations. He created Gas Station Gourmet in 2007 and has been writing his column for NACS Magazin...

From subscription snack boxes to opening The Goods Mart at 30 Rockefeller in New York City, Rachel Krupa is redefining convenience one store at a time. Related Links: The Goods Mart NACS Ideas 2 Go: Doing More and Doing Good Hosted by: Chris Blasinsky and Britt Brewer About our Guest: Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart Rachel Krupa has had her finger on the pulse of the health and wellness indu...