ACityDiscount attended the largest international c-store convention and trade show in the U.S.
The ACityDiscount team attended the National Association of Convenience Stores’ Annual Trade Show (NACS Show), the convenience and fuel retailing event that attracts thousands of c-store industry professionals who come to learn about the latest in foodservice and food equipment.
Held at the Georgia World Congress Center from Oct 1 – 4, 2019, the NACS Show provided a truly one-stop shopping experience and educational experience for c-store operators with two full exhibit halls packed with the latest products and every piece of equipment you could need for a rockin’ convenience store.
Some of the main takeaways from the event centered around food safety and service, CBD/hemp products and legislation, and of course, the customer experience and changing food preferences.
Keynoter Jim Knight, director of training for Hard Rock International, spoke about how, even in the convenience industry, every customer is searching for differentiated service, and the people who shop with you are spending their disposable income, so they don’t necessarily need you. The question becomes, how do you get them to choose you? He stressed that without good employees, everything falls flat.
“It’s about choosing the right people and then training them in the way they should go,” he said.
The foodservice category continues to be a key focus for the convenience industry as it directly correlates to providing the best customer service. In 2018, foodservice sales accounted for 22.6% of in-store sales, according to NACS Daily news. This means that food safety is no longer an option, but a necessity.
Few people think about food safety as they grab from the shelf and consume on the go… that responsibility lies with c-store operators. Having a series of checks and balances in place before the food hits the shelves is key, according to a food safety expert who led education sessions at the conference.
Risk factors that can jeopardize any operation:
- Purchasing food from unsafe sources
- Failing to properly cook food
- Using contaminated equipment
- Holding food at improper temperatures
Experts spoke about the importance of having a proper plan in place when met with these challenges. It was stressed that all types of food establishments will face food safety challenges at some point. The key is prediction, prevention and reaction.
Industry leaders agreed that carrying specialized products, especially those from local vendors or organic items that customers would not normally expect to see, can really set convenience stores apart from the rest. Fostering brand loyalty among customers is key to turning them into lifelong fans.
Convenience store retailers are using food trucks to serve as test kitchens to try concepts like freshly prepared convenience store food, in a market where people would be hesitant to try it.
Convenience store retailers are using food trucks to serve as test kitchens to try concepts like freshly prepared convenience store food, in a market where people would be hesitant to try it.
Business owners have found that this is a great way to trial products without having to make a large investment or operations change. If the offerings test well, then owners can move the concept into the store. According to IBISWorld, food trucks are collectively predicted to bring in $1 billion in annual revenue this year alone. C-store operators can also use food trucks during peak traffic hours, to reach new customers or if the store is transitioning to serving fresh food.
The biggest takeaway from the show is that to survive in the convenience store market, operators must stop thinking like a convenience store. One director of operations for a neighborhood convenience store and gas station, Lonnie McQiurter, explained that retailers sometimes have a negative attitude which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, of being a gas station that happens to sell chips and coke. Customers now want an experience to remember so they will make the effort to come back. That means putting real thought into new offerings and how products are displayed.
Some of the top food equipment items seen at NACS came from big names including True Refrigeration and Eagle Group. Here are some of their newest c-store items:
NACS 2019 Highlights
Turbo Air Pizza Prep
New Turbo Air pizza/sandwich prep station, complete with a toppings catcher, which is basically a sheet pan that slides out from a grated top prep area, and features a front facing grill and condenser which slides out for easy cleaning.
True Display Merchandizer
The TGM Series has a front ventilation system that releases the warm air outside the unit and over the glass to reduce condensation, creating better visibility of product for customers, at a reasonable price.
True Mega Food Prep
The TFP mega food prep table features a flat, glass lid option that makes it easy for customers to see topping choices.
New Beer Cooler from True
TVR/TDR – New beer cooler from True with a mounted drainboard on top of the millwork table, field rehingable doors and easy-access installation. Taps can be used for beer and nitro or cold brew coffee.