April Waits
From C-stores and CPGs to technology and chicken wings, NACS encapsulates the entire world of convenience in one place. This year, NACS was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, bringing together a record number of 26,124 attendees from across the globe.
Entering the expo floor at NACS is always a magnificent sight. Big brands like Monster Energy and Mondelez showcase impressive booths, and there’s no shortage of mascots, MMA celebrities, and this year, even breakdancers (no, not the infamous Australian dancer).
This year, NACS focused on several familiar but evolving key trends, including self-service, employee empowerment, operational efficiency, and emerging flavors.
Celebrating 60 Years of Self-Service at the Pump
Self-service continues to be a critical topic in various retail sectors like grocery and fashion, but it was first introduced to convenience stores 60 years ago! In 1964, John Roscoe brought the first self-service gas pump to Westminster, Colorado, marking the beginning of an era.
This not-so-new technology has evolved tremendously since it was first introduced. In recent years, EV charging stations, retail media capabilities, and my personal favorite, tap-to-pay features have become highly desired and expected by consumers.
Self-service providers like Diebold Nixdorf, are bringing self-service options into the store for an even better customer experience. Adding a self-service option also allows for reduced labor hours and increased throughput. New AI features like AI face and product recognition further reduce friction.
“Checking out easily and using technology in a way that it’s not for the sake of using technology, but helping the checkout process, helping the shopping process and creating a good atmosphere,” states Nino Hörttrich, Head of Global Marketing Retail at Diebold Nixdorf.
Let’s Take a Trip to Flavortown
You can’t take a trip to NACS without tasting something unexpected. From espresso martinis in a pouch to Pepsi Peeps, CPG’s never disappoint. Oreo-flavored Coca-Cola anyone?
Salty snacks like potato chips and pretzels remain a c-store staple and sweet and Spicy profiles continue to gain popularity. In fact, 61% of GenZ consumers report eating spicy foods regularly, according to Dymon Research. No stranger to spice, Dorito’s is also launching a Golden Sriracha flavor in January. Sign me up!
Gen Z is igniting a wave of wellness and are more health-conscious than previous generations. With a taste for products containing less sugar, lower fats, and no artificial ingredients, C-stores and CPG brands are being pushed to invest in fresh and health-forward options. This trend does not appear to be stopping with Gen Z, as Millennials seem to be following suit. A few examples we saw on the floor include Chomps, a 100% grass-fed beef jerky brand, committed to avoiding sugar, even with the introduction of its new Smoky BBQ flavor.
Functional beverages have also been taking storm, like Ric Flair’s Woooo Energy, a lower-sugar energy drink with adaptogenic mushrooms. Fueling this trend even further is Gen Z’s reduction in alcohol consumption.
Improving the Workforce with Training, Optimizing, and Retaining
In the C-store industry, the need for improved and digitized learning methods is more critical than ever. Trends like microlearning and gamification are reshaping the training experience, offering a more engaging and interactive way for employees to learn essential skills.
This shift is especially important given that 36.5% of full-time associate hires don’t last beyond the first 30 days, according to a study by the NACS/Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council (NCCRRC). By making training more accessible and enjoyable, C-Stores aim to improve retention rates and create a more knowledgeable workforce.
In addition to enhanced training, convenience stores are increasingly adopting user-friendly front-end and back-end platforms that are easy for employees to learn and use. These intuitive systems streamline operations and minimize the learning curve, empowering associates to perform their duties more efficiently. This dual focus on better training methods and simpler technology solutions is helping C-Stores address ongoing challenges while enhancing employee satisfaction and operational effectiveness.
A Year in Review: NACS Brought Convenience Together
NACS 2024 brought the entire world of convenience together under one roof at the Las Vegas Convention Center, attracting 23,500 global attendees. From Monster Energy to Mondelez, the expo floor showcased an engaging mix of mascots, celebrities, and even breakdancers. Key trends at this year’s event included the evolution of self-service, employee empowerment, operational efficiency, and emerging flavors. NACS celebrated 60 years of self-service at the pump, highlighting its progression from the introduction of self-service gas stations to today’s cutting-edge retail technology, such as AI-driven self-service options from companies like Diebold Nixdorf.
In addition to tech, flavor innovation took center stage. Spicy profiles continue to rise in popularity, especially among younger consumers, with Dorito’s launching its Golden Sriracha flavor. Health-conscious Gen Z and Gen Y are also driving a push for cleaner, fresher options. Brands like Chomps are meeting this demand with grass-fed beef jerky free from sugar, and functional beverages, like Ric Flair’s Woooo Energy, are gaining traction. NACS also emphasized the importance of improving workforce retention and training through gamification and user-friendly platforms, helping to address operational challenges while boosting employee engagement and efficiency.
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