ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has published a new primer defining 10 key areas of the convenience store business. "How Convenience Stores Operate & Their Contributions to Communities" provides a starting point for retailers who seek to define their businesses before communities groups and addresses issues including jobs, property values, overnight hours, traffic and community engagement.
"During zoning hearings, opposition to convenience store permitting--whether for ground-up stores or remodels--often centers on general misperceptions about the value convenience stores deliver to the communities that they serve. This primer addresses these common concerns and helps retailers tell their stories about their commitment to their communities," said NACS vice president of strategic industry initiatives Jeff Lenard.
The primer is the latest deliverable from the NACS reFresh initiative that addresses ongoing industry perceptions by providing convenience-store retailers with tools to evolve their in-store offer and elevate their image.
The reFresh initiative currently focuses on three distinct elements:
- Creating tools that address NIMBY (not in my backyard) issues by educating the public about the contributions convenience stores make to their communities.
- Sharing facts and data that demonstrates the evolution of the industry and corrects an outdated reputation.
- Forming partnerships/relationships with credible nutrition- and community-focused groups.
The 18-page "How Convenience Stores Work & Their Contributions to Communities" can be downloaded here. NACS will add topics and update metrics throughout the year.
The primer is the third in a series of tools developed to help retailers tell the industry's positive story. Last week, NACS and United Fresh released "Building the Business Case for Produce Sales at Convenience Stores," providing analysis of industry and consumer trends with practical ideas to develop an enhanced produce offering in stores.
In late 2014, NACS also posted more than 100 Ideas 2 Go video segments that showcase exceptional convenience retailing.
NACS will publish two additional toolkits in the coming weeks.
Founded in 1961, NACS is the international association for convenience and fuel retailing. It has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.
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