Whether it’s for food, fuel, drinks or snacks — about half of the U.S. population is at a convenience store every day. We sell 80% of the country’s fuel and we are 4% of the total U.S. economy. We’ll talk about what we see at stores — and what the future may hold — as long as it’s convenient.
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National Association Of Convenience Stores Podcasts
Tim Lazor's Unique Retail Marketing Firm Specializing In Growing The Convenience Store Sales by focussing on Customers. We help: Convenience Store Retailers…Convenience Distributors…Convenience Manufacturers & Suppliers……Grow their sales and margins with differentiated, disruptive, and value–creating marketing programs.
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C-Stores and Their Cultural Impact - Episode 511
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29:01Hear how some convenience retailers are creating pop-culture moments at their stores and within their community. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Lonnie McQuirter, Director of Operations, 36 Lyn Refuel Station Lonnie leads 36 Lyn Refuel Station, an independently owned, community-focused fuel station in South Minneapolis, MN. He is a member o…
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The Trends Behind RaceTrac's Potbelly Acquisition - Episode 510
21:48
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21:48The acquisition brings together elements that are growing in convenience retail: great foodservice with a neighborhood feel. Hosted by: Jeff LenardBy NACS
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The Importance of Creating a Unique Brand - Episode 509
23:57
23:57
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23:57Brands create trust, loyalty and a unique identity for businesses. Hear how some convenience stores leverage their brands to reach new and existing customers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Amanda Baltazar, Retail & Hospitality Journalist Amanda is a journalist and NACS Magazine contributing writer with over 20 years of experience and expe…
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Why Consumers Choose Your C-Store for Fuel - Episode 508
23:39
23:39
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23:39Gas price continues to be top of mind with drivers, but the price per gallon is only one factor for why they select a place to purchase fuel. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought after for his ability to help clients achieve victory …
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How C-Store Fried Chicken Inspired a Mississippi Restaurant - Episode 507
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30:46Over the past five years, Stafford Shurden has travelled across the South to celebrate great food for his "Gas Station Tailgate Review" program. His new book, "Meet and Three," is about his life experiences as a restaurant owner, farmer, and convenience store and gas station food connoisseur. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Stafford Shurden…
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Learnings From a Convenience Retail Study Tour - Episode 506
33:03
33:03
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33:03We're sharing insights from a recent road trip/market tour and the big takeaways on what’s new in convenience. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Frank Beard, Convenience Retailing Expert Frank is a Des Moines, Iowa-based marketer, speaker and writer who focuses on the convenience retailing industry. He serves as head of marketing at Rovertown…
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New Insights on Driving Behaviors and Perceptions - Episode 505
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29:01A new Transportation Energy Institute report reveals what consumers think about the vehicle technologies and fueling options they're looking for. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: John Eichberger, Executive Director, Transportation Energy Institute John has more than 20 years of experience in the fuels industry, including more than a decade l…
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How To Build Confidence Starting Right Now - Episode 504
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29:31Confidence isn't something you're born with—it's something you build. And when you build it, opportunities often can follow in both your professional and personal life. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Juan Bendaña, author and keynote speaker Juan is an internationally recognized speaker (including at the 2024 NACS Show) who helps leaders na…
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As convenience stores continue to advance foodservice, events like the NACS Food Safety Forum are helping industry leaders address traceability, implement new technology and maintaining consumer trust. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Chrissy Blasinsky About our Guest: Evan Powell, Retail Food Protection Manager, Kwik Trip Inc. Evan Powell is the retail …
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Breaking News: FDA Approves—And Doesn’t Approve—Vape - Episode 502
21:47
21:47
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21:47On July 17, the FDA announced that Juul Labs products are authorized in the market. However, the vape market still has very little clarity, and that was the focus of a July 18 letter from NACS and other groups to President Trump asking for action. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel Doug has served as legal cou…
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How Eating Patterns Differ for Commuters vs. Remote Workers - Episode 501
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26:59
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26:59Hybrid/remote workers and regular commuters shop and eat differently, and there are opportunities to craft messages that appeal to each group's interests, according to the findings from a recent NACS consumer survey. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation’s leading politica…
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William Shatner Talks About Convenience--And a Lot More - Episode 500
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36:13To celebrate our 500th episode, we are sharing our most popular episode, a conversation with William Shatner. He has some opinions! Hosted by: Jeff Lenard and Henry Armour About our Guest: William Shatner, legendary actor and icon Captain Kirk, T.J. Hooker, Denny Crane, so many TV shows and movies and record albums, the oldest person to fly in spac…
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What To Look for With Gas Prices - Episode 499
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21:45
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21:45A look at the key factors that could affect gas prices over the summer-drive season and the second half of the year—and how prices affect consumer behavior both at the pump and inside the store. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard Jeff oversees internal and external communications at NACS. He has conducted over 6,000 interviews with reporters, mostly about fuel…
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Big Ideas in Convenience Retail From Europe - Episode 498
27:59
27:59
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27:59Store tours and discussions during the 2025 NACS Convenience Summit Europe in Copenhagen revealed opportunities for retailers to consider, no matter where they do business. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Mark Wohltmann, Director, NACS Global Mark is responsible for the strategic development of NACS Global, a worldwide network that supports…
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The Latest on Credit Card Swipe Fee Reform - Episode 497
29:54
29:54
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29:54Credit card swipe fees are a huge pain point for retailers and the customers they serve. Hear how the Credit Card Competition Act can bring competition to a broken system. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Doug Kantor, NACS General Counsel Doug has served as legal counsel for NACS for more than 20 years, originally as a partner with the law …
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Consumer preferences are constantly changing. Hear insights from a snacker panel on what your customers want now and where snacking is heading. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guests: Rachel Krupa, Founder, The Goods Mart and Krupa Consulting In 2018, Rachel founded the highly curated better-for-you, socially conscious convenience store concept, T…
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How Eliminating the Penny in 2026 Affects Retailers - Episode 495
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21:06The U.S. Treasury will officially stop making pennies and phase out the one-cent coin from circulation. Here are four things retailers need to know, recapped from a February 2025 podcast. Hosted by: Jeff LenardBy NACS
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Celebrating Your Community Heroes Is Easy - Episode 494
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24:33
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24:33The NACS Foundation’s annual 24/7 Day (July 24) makes it easy for retailers and suppliers to celebrate the first responders who protect our communities—and it's free. Hear some of the success stories from previous years and how your company can join the celebration. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Kevin O’Connell, Executive Director, NACS F…
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Make Your C-Store a Road Trip Destination - Episode 493
31:32
31:32
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31:32Hear how retailers can grow sales through effective marketing, merchandising and planning that makes their stores the ultimate destination for road trippers. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Steve Holtz, President, Holtz Media Consulting Steve is a veteran c-store journalist with 25 years in the industry. He is currently president of Holtz M…
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How GLP-1 Usage and Economic Concerns Are Changing Consumer Behavior - Episode 492
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32:16
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32:16At least two broad trends are affecting food consumption right now: The growing use of GLP-1 drugs that is leading one segment of customers to seek out products with specific attributes, while economic concerns are leading another segment to increasingly seek out value. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Andreas Düss, CEO, 6 Seeds Consulting A…
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Is EV Charging Right for Your Business? - Episode 491
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31:00Although there have been many changes in the electric vehicle market, both in sales and in perceptions, EVs will continue to play a central role in the future of transportation. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Quincy Lee, Founder & CEO, Electric Era Quincy founded Electric Era in 2020. Prior to that, he led the Gateway Ground Station Antenn…
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Industry Data You Can Use to Power Your Business - Episode 490
27:42
27:42
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27:42What are the key convenience retail metrics and themes that were delivered at the 2025 NACS State of the Industry Summit? Chris Rapanick breaks it down for us this week on Convenience Matters. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Chris Rapanick, Managing Director, NACS Research Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of NACS Research, manages a…
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Think of AI as a Way To Enhance Storytelling - Episode 489
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30:01AI can sound grandiose... it can sound complicated... and it can sound scary. But it's really just another tool to help you communicate. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Steve Lerch, President, Story Arc Consulting Steve was a featured speaker at the 2025 NACS State of the Industry Summit. He is an award-winning international public speaker …
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And the C-Store Industry's 2024 Numbers Are... - Episode 488
26:07
26:07
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26:07Let's look at the big takeaways and data from the recently concluded NACS State of the Industry Summit. We cover big-picture industry metrics, consumer trends and insights how you can best navigate today's economic uncertainty. Hosted by: Jeff LenardBy NACS
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The Word Customers Associate With Convenience - Episode 487
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30:46Convenience can mean extended hours of operation, one-stop shopping, speedy service, online ordering and delivery. When we asked consumers how they defined convenience, one word stood out most. Hosted by: Jeff Lenard About our Guest: Adam Rosenblatt, Founding Partner, Bold Decision Adam is one of the nation’s leading political consultants sought af…
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