NACS PEI Proves Again to be the Show to Attend
By Brenda Johnstone
From nicotine pouches to crustless packaged sandwiches, from ice cream sandwiches to ready-to-eat breakfast, lunch and dinner options, the NACS/PEI show had it all.
The NACS/PEI 2024 show was, again, an event well worth the trip. Day one brought the excitement that only day one of any event can garner, and we weren’t alone in our anticipation of what was to be revealed.
We weren’t disappointed. As anyone who attends the NACS/PEI show knows, the first day is one of exploration: “Let’s go see what’s new in foodservice,” because, let’s face it, the smell of cooking pizza is what draws you in that first day. Foodservice this year tended to focus on fresh, hot and ready-to-eat products, including pizza, fried chicken, taquitos, sandwiches made fresh to order, and many of the packaged foods were focused on protein.
While the c-store is still a place to gas up and grab a treat, it’s now more than just that snack craving that you’ll find; instead, consumers gravitate to healthier options that include fresh, fewer additives, higher protein and better-for-you products. There are still those decadent sweet and salty snacks too, but, again, many, including the bagged popcorn, include protein. There were protein drinks, protein bars, protein popcorn, popcorn candy and so much more.
Moving over to the technology area of the floor, I was pleased to see the many new options available to retailers for increasing traffic through new signage. Sleek, bright digital signage that lights up your branding and brings in customers. As a c-store operator, or retail fuel brand store, signage is key. A sign with burnt out lights, or cracks, fading etc. doesn’t cut it in today’s fast-paced ultra-competitive world.
This leads me to another hot topic, bathrooms. Bathrooms matter! About 10 years ago, Convenience & Carwash Canada magazine began a yearly editorial feature that showcased bathrooms. Let’s face it, if you have to go, you have to go, but if this takes you to a location where the bathroom is messy and uninviting, that’s the last thing you’ll remember about that site. I spoke with a few exhibitors who offer products to ensure operators have the latest, greatest dispensers, hand dryers and more. The team who we met from Total Restrooms were great to speak with and the array of innovative products they offered were beautiful.
Another aspect of the industry offered this year was more personnel training options. In this day and age, staffing is key to a strong business, and the more training operators can offer, the more those staff members feel valued. Spend the money, train your staff, and they’ll stick around.
Digital checkouts are a continual discussion amongst retailers and consumers. According to a recent study hosted by NACS almost half of consumers (46 per cent) still prefer the personal touch, me included (57 per cent of these over the age of 65). I’d much rather have a live body checking me out and taking my hard-earned cash. A machine seems so impersonal and, let’s face it, the machine doesn’t care if you found everything you came in for. Half of those (29 per cent) preferring the personal touch of a cashier, were men, while those preferring self-checkout were women and those with no preference were at 25 per cent.
“Empower Independent Sites” was the focus from PDI Technologies with their “CStore Essentials Scan Data & Loyalty” and their “Cstore Essentials Back Office technology.” There is tremendous potential from being able to harness the information and technology we have to do something better and more transformational for the industry, stated Linnea Geiss, chief officer – PDI Technologies.
Coffee and coffee machines were, as always, big. With coffee being one of the top sellers at any convenience store, it bodes well for operators to stay abreast of these new trends. Gage Johnston, marketing manager, Franke Coffee Systems, stated that they were seeing a really big push in the convenience store channel for customization for multiple features on the machines, and personalization that customers really want in the convenience stores. Capturing customers preferences is really the focus going forward.
An interesting trend with coffee and coffee machines was the option of offering bean choices when choosing your coffee. Long gone are the drip coffee machines of another era, now consumers can choose the bean, the blend, and the milk option with their in-store coffee purchase.
Electric vehicle charging was another discussion during the NACS/PEI show, where several companies showcased new, sleek dispenser designs and options. One conversation that I had was about adding EV chargers to carwash sites. When carwash sites offer vacuums on site, and there might be 20 or more on-site, why not add EV chargers? If customers are staying to vacuum, another revenue stream might be adding a pay-as-you-go EV charge to the vacuum lanes.
The carwash category offered new, refreshed designs, including the Belanger, Inc. Kondor Flight In-Bay Automatic Wash System, the new In-Bay Automatic Xpress Conversion model by PDQ LaserWash 360 Plus system, and the cost-conscious convenience-store vehicle wash chemistries by Turtle Wax Complete.
An exciting find at the show was cooler doors; who knew? KPS Global and Anthony Doors both showcased revolutionary cooler door technology. Sleek new designs that account for less hardware showing, lending more focus on bright, clean lines.
All in all, the NACS/PEI show proved that once again, even though you might feel that it’ll offer the same ‘ole, same ‘ole, each year, it’s well-worth the trip. I always find something new, innovative, interesting and don’t forget tasty, at the show.
