New Tech at the 2021 NACS Show

CHICAGO — The future of convenience-store technology was on display at the 2021 NACS Show in Chicago.

Industry suppliers, even those not known for technology, are investing in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and other tools to collect and harness data and improve store operations.

Click through for a sample of the new products and services featured at the NACS Show …

Kickback Rewards Systems (KRS) has evolved far beyond loyalty. The Twin Falls, Idaho-based tech firm has expanded its capabilities to include accounting, c-store management, pricebook, wholesale fuel management and business intelligence.

The company is also reselling and distributing last-mile delivery robots from Tortoise. Each Tortoise delivery robot can carry more than 150 pounds as it navigates sidewalks and bike lanes at low speeds.

Other KRS partners include self-checkout platform Mashgin, site data dashboard Command Center and more. Each of KRS’ partner companies and their capabilities are connected by KRS’ Epiphany platform, a data epicenter that provides users with business intelligence and data management.

Eby-Brown is expanding its Eby SourcePoint 360 software with a conversational AI tool known as Eva.

Eva is currently in the proof-of-concept phase but Naperville, Ill.-based Eby-Brown expects to release the voice assistant in 2022. The voice assistant can be deployed on a desktop computer or a mobile device. Eva is designed to be a complementary tool for c-store operators looking to tweak their orders or check on deliveries. Eva can also share information on specific items, inform employees of food programs and more. More capabilities could be added before launch as Eva interacts with and learns from more operators.

San Francisco-based frictionless checkout company Standard AI has upgraded its hardware, said Michael Suswal, co-founder and chief business officer of Standard AI. The new cameras are courtesy of Axis Communications. Suswal said the upgrade reduces camera count in stores by 40%. Additionally, Standard can now install its system in a store without closing and the cameras can be installed in less than 45 minutes.

Finally, Standard is looking for 10 small c-store chains to work with who have a vision of the future of checkout. Standard will extend an offer to at least one operator to transform an existing store into a checkout-free experience, at Standard’s expense.

Chicago-based Cooler Screens, which builds and installs interactive digital display on cooler doors, is evolving. According to CEO Arsen Avakian, Walmart and Walgreens are looking to expand the technology into gaming and pharmacy respectively.

Skupos, based in Denver, touted its winter discount program, Game Day Deals, which comes with the following consumer packaged goods (CPG)-backed discounts and corresponding signage:

• Buy 1 Extra Strength 5-hour ENERGY shot in Strawberry Banana, Tropical Burst or Watermelon flavors, get $1.50 off any shot
• Buy 1 Nature Valley, get 1 at 50% off
• 25% off Chex Mix
• Buy 2 Chex Mix Muddy Buddies and/or Gardetto’s, get $2 off
• Buy 1 Bugles, get 1 at 50% off
• Buy 2 Hershey King Size bars, get third for $1
• Buy 2 Rockstar 15 ounce and/or 16 ounce, get $1 off
• Buy 2 Taki's 9.9 ounce and/or Taki's Waves 8 ounce for $6

Watchfire introduced a new display at the 2021 NACS Show that allows c-stores to publish different gas prices based on cash, credit or debit payment methods. The Danville, Ill.-based company is also offering a five-year warranty for its gas price signs.

Featured in the Cool New Products section was the SmartPOS Mobile Edition from Pittsburgh-based Petrosoft. This is a tablet edition of the existing SmartPOS, which can be transferred between locations.