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Hello!

Welcome to the 11th edition of Always Be Convenient, the guide for brick-and-mortar retail on how to navigate today’s digital world. You can find previous issues in the archives.

Coming off the NACS Show last week I am riding a high that will certainly last well into 2025. From the connections that were made, to the educational sessions, to the sprawling expo floor – there’s nothing on Earth like this event.

It’s not just the size (though putting 23,000 people in one place is certainly a feat!), but rather what you’ll find as a participant. NACS describes the show as a key resource to “help you stay ahead of the curve and navigate success,” and that’s exactly what attendees were able to find.

If you weren’t able to attend this year, you’ll love today’s newsletter as a high-level recap. And hopefully it’ll encourage you to make room in the calendar for the 2025 NACS Show in Chicago next year.

If you were at the NACS Show last week, what was your standout highlight? Hit ‘reply’ to let me know.

Conveniently,
Mike

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Everything

As I walked the NACS Show expo this year I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed. And with 1,200 exhibitors across 430,000 square feet of space, I had reason to be. The NACS Show had everything.

The North Hall was dedicated completely to in-store merchandise. You saw the top CPG brands in the industry, newcomers looking to dethrone the category leaders, and even some design and construction partners whose goal is to ensure you can present all of those great products conveniently for customers.

The Central Hall, where I spent most of my time, was divided into four major groups: in-store merchandise, foodservice, technology, and then fuel equipment (and associated services).

What was eye-opening and obvious at the same time is that regardless of the section you were in, every exhibitor looked like a technology exhibitor. That’s how much our world has been permeated by technology.

Exhibitors were scanning badges, leveraging flashing screens to capture attention, and showcasing how their offerings would help create the experience that every retailer craves.

Many suppliers even hosted collaborations across companies – where one company’s products might be on display in another partner’s booth (like Gilbarco or Dover featuring other companies’ apps on their fuel dispensers).

To say that every exhibitor was a technology exhibitor is an exaggeration, but it paints a reflection of where the broader convenience industry is as well.

While no c-store would call themselves a technology company first (though pizza companies may differ), the industry has certainly come to rely on technology as a foundational component of its business.

From loyalty platforms to mobile apps and digital screens to e-commerce engines, it was all on display on the floor. And in each of these categories there were plenty of options from which to choose. Some even proclaimed to be able to do it all.

My caution to show-goers (and any technology buyers) is to take your time. Everything works beautifully on the showroom floor. It may not be the same when it hits your store.

As consumer demands run rampant and internal pressures to deliver growth increase, you have to be thoughtful about investments in technology. Your problems cannot be solved by signing a contract and checking a box.

Work with your teams to understand their true needs. We’re talking about the capabilities required to unlock the productivity they’re seeking – not the name of the company whose software demo they watched.

When putting digital experiences in front of your customers, you must realize what you’re up against. Your competition is the last best experience they had … anywhere.

So watch the demos and walk the shows, but do your due diligence too. It’ll be worth it.

If you’d like feedback or advice about a technology search you’re conducting, feel free to reach out – just reply to this email.