LAS VEGAS -- The convenience store industry is used to fighting multiple battles at the same time, and the coming year is no different. Fortunately, NACS has a plan to address all of them.
"Our goal is to keep the c-store industry the most vibrant and progressive in the retail world," said Hank Armour, president and CEO of the National Association of Convenience Stores.
He touched first on the effort to fight the swipe-fee settlement. Despite opposition not only from the convenience store industry, but also large chains such as Walmart, a district court approved the settlement. Retail groups objected, and the matter continues to be debated in court.
For those retailers who did opt out of the settlement, Armour said NACS will be fighting on their side. "Rest assured, you're not going to have to go it alone," he said, noting that the association's legal counsel was hard at work pursuing claims. "This is going to be a long, long battle against the monopolistic pricing powers of MasterCard and Visa," he said.
The other battle NACS has taken on is for the industry's reputation. The association is launching a long-term initiative to fight back against attacks on the integrity of the channel, which is sometimes maligned as a purveyor of death because it is a leading channel for cigarettes, alcohol and indulgent foods.
Armour shared the plan to refresh the industry's image. "It's a long-term, multi-year commitment. It's multifaceted, with some immediate actions and some evolving over time. It's positive, realistic and honest," he said.
NACS is telling the positive story of the industry. "We've begun to do that with our new NACS In Store program in which we invite elected officials--senators and congressmen--to work a few hours in one of our stores and learn what our industry is really all about."
Zoning restrictions are another issue. "While our customers clearly love us--and we hear that 160 million times a day--we still face enormous pushback at zoning hearings. We're going to help you dispel the myths that inhibit your ability to obtain approval to build stores and get permits, building the case for why a community should want to have a convenience store in their town instead of why they wouldn't."
On the issue of indulgent foods, NACS has taken a first step in partnering with the United Fresh Produce Association to improve the convenience store channel's access to fresh products. It also is kicking up its efforts at promoting industry sponsorship of youth sports teams.
Critics have also attacked the convenience store industry's ability to provide decent, well-paying jobs with advancement opportunities. Armour pointed out that the industry employs 2.2 million people, and that according to its own research, has employed one in nine adults.
NACS research also shows that the public has not yet adopted an intractable position here; in fact, 86% of consumers surveyed said that convenience stores provide a good first job, and great jobs for high-school and college students. Three in four agreed that a hard-working employee could become a store manager and own his or her own store.
And NACS is focusing on efforts to highlight the great deal of community support that convenience stores currently provide, and better build a case for why communities should welcome these businesses into their neighborhoods rather than fighting them based on inaccurate perceptions.
"To make all of this happen, you play the most important role," said Armour. "Tell your story and walk your talk, and be proud of what your industry does. I am."
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