LAS VEGAS -- In a lively opening general session speech that included Las Vegas showgirls, outgoing NACS chairperson and retailer Brad Call encouraged 2014 NACS Show attendees to redouble their efforts to build and operate convenience stores that communities can be proud of, and to put the lie to the idea that c-stores are the "enemy" of healthy eating.
"We have to set our standards high and raise the whole convenience industry ocean," he said, because many retailers face zoning challenges that often boil down to "not-in-my-back-yard" (NIMBY) concerns. "It can be tough to obtain building permits in some locations, but we do need to keep getting better."
Call cited the NACS In Store initiative to bring elected officials into convenience stores to work for a day behind the counter as an effort to help legislators understand the concerns of small businesses.
"It's a way to face the challenge of … NIMBY," said Call, who operates the Salt Lake City-based Maverik chain of convenience stores. "Moving the needle on NIMBY won't happen overnight, but it's amazing what we can do when we communicate and use our voice."
"The idea is pure genius," said Call. "In our case, they came to Maverik, engaged in a quick overview of our adventure guide training--that's our clerk training--observed the baking in the kitchens, learned basic store ops and then we turned them loose to run the point of sale so they could interact with our customers."
It is a great way to become more acquainted with members of Congress and a terrific way to help educate them on the challenges the industry faces, he said.
Call also introduced author and journalist David Freedman, who talked about the growing trend--and the national need--to eat healthier food. Calling the convenience store channel a "very influential" industry on this front, he said c-store retailers will play an important role in providing the kind of food Americans need to live healthier lives.
While researching an article on obesity, Freedman said he spoke to sources who openly declared convenience stores as an enemy of the healthier-eating cause. Freedman said it was a perception challenge that c-stores have to face, which is made that much harder because many Americans aren't ready to eat healthier, whole, less-processed foods.
"We hear a lot about the ebola virus, but more people die every day from obesity in America than all the people who've died from ebola," he told the general session audience. "But you guys are going to be the heroes here. You'll be able to thrive and make a lot of money."
Addressing the trend and finding ways to incorporate healthier foods at the store level is an important start, Freedman said.
Bringing up the topic of teamwork, Call recalled a 200-mile bike ride he recently took with a cycling team. He said that "command-and-control" leaders on such a team only bark orders and not relinquish the lead. The result, he said, is a team of "robots" that will only get slower. Effective leaders support their team members and encourage leadership among individuals, he said.
"At Maverik, true leaders serve others," Call said. "Maverik creates engaged teams that win the hearts and minds of our [employees and customers]."
NACS is an important part of the convenience store channel's team, he said, pointing out the importance of the association's political action committee as well as its educational and networking events.
He emphasized that every attendee can be a winner by taking advantage of the association, its events and its legislative and idea-generating activities.
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