Tough economic times and stiff competition across the supply chain are making it critical for convenience store operators to have a solid understanding of their customers, particularly their high-frequency, high-value shoppers. Armed with these insights, operators can take the necessary steps to retain and attract new loyal customers.
To help retailers improve their operations and gain key takeaways that will help them grow their businesses right now, the National Advisory Group (NAG) has put together a world-class lineup of speakers and educational sessions. This year’s conference will be held Sept. 7-9 in San Antonio.
Our educational sessions include topics such as growing self-distribution, creating a world-class foodservice program, driving coffee sales, managing the cold vault and the future of tobacco with Bonnie Herzog. Sessions will feature speakers from c-store chains including: Wawa, Huck’s, Family Express, Byrne Dairy, Tedeschi Food Shops, Rutter’s, Maverik and Cumberland Farms.
A working breakfast will offer conference attendees insights into who’s shopping at c-stores and what they are looking for throughout their busy day. This NAG session features exclusive research from Study Hall Research, who has polled of thousands of convenience store customers from around the country and the results will be available only at the 2014 NAG Conference.
Plus, you will get to participate in our popular Information Exchanges, which give non-competing retailers a chance to discuss whatever issues are on your mind with only your peers.
Our retailer board of directors carefully chose the venue, the dates and the content of this conference so that it would represent a true retailer-to retailer-event. An organization committed to building relationships and profits, NAG’s mission is to provide industry retail leaders with a forum for the free exchange of ideas to improve their business performance.
So whether you have a couple stores or a couple hundred stores, there is something here for you. Never has there been a stronger need for an association of small to mid-size retailers where members can exchange ideas and information that will help you navigate these turbulent times. I hope to see you in San Antonio.
Register now for the 2014 NAG Conference by visiting www.nagconvenience.com.
Saluting RaceTrac
For the 25th consecutive year, Convenience Store Decisions is proud to recognize a convenience store chain that stands for retail excellence with our Chain of the Year award. This year, on the silver anniversary of the oldest and most prestigious award for convenience retailing, CSD is honoring RaceTrac as the 2014 Convenience Store Chain of the Year.
Over the past 18 months, RaceTrac has taken extraordinary strides to distance itself from the pack by daring to be different. The company invested major operating capital in two gourmet foodservice programs: Swirl World Frozen Yogurt and The Speedy Avocado, and it launched a c-store prototype that promises to ensure the chain remains a powerhouse marketer for the next decade. The purpose of the Chain of the Year award is to showcase the best of the best in convenience retailing and we’re proud to recognize all that RaceTrac has accomplished.
“We are humbled to be honored by Convenience Store Decisions as the Silver Anniversary recipient of the 2014 Convenience Store Chain of the Year Award,” said Allison Moran, CEO of RaceTrac. “A special thank you goes to our loyal team members, as their hard work and passion is the reason behind our success and we could not have achieved any of these accomplishments without them.”
Carl Bolch, RaceTrac’s chairman, added. “For 80 years, RaceTrac has aimed to provide quality service and innovative products to our guests and we are truly honored to be recognized by the convenience store industry for our efforts.”
For more on RaceTrac, see page 14. For tickets and information about the Chain of the Year gala in Las Vegas on Oct. 8, contact me at [email protected].