Today there is approximately one c-store per 2,100 U.S. residents. The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 148,126 stores as of Dec. 31, 2011, a 1.2% increase (1,785 stores) from the year prior, according to the latest NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. The convenience retailing industry has seen remarkable growth over the last…

Incoming chairman promotes advocacy as he prepares to battle swipe fees, fuel standards and tobacco regulations in the year ahead. By John Lofstock, Editor. Renowned author and business strategist Tom Peter once said, “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” When it comes to the challenges facing the convenience store and petroleum industry over…

“I came [to NACS] for the advocacy and stayed for the knowledge and connections,” said new NACS Chairman Tom Robinson during the Oct. 4 Closing General Session at the NACS Show.   An estimated more than 22,000 attendees from 50 countries attended the 2011 NACS Show, which featured more than 60 workshops and 1,300 exhibitors…

NACS announced the election of its 2011-12 Executive Committee during its Board of Directors meeting at the NACS Show in Chicago. Tom Robinson, president of Santa Clara, Calif.-based Robinson Oil Corp., was named the association’s 2011-12 chairman of the board. Robinson also chairs the NACS Executive Committee, which provides strategic direction and financial oversight to the…