CHICAGO — The final morning of the 2025 NACS Show carried the mix of fatigue and satisfaction that follows three days of packed aisles, steady conversations, and long-awaited connections.
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For Eagle Family Foods, which makes sweetened condensed milk and snacks under brands like Popcorn Indiana and G.H. Cretors, the show represented another successful year of participation. “We’ve been at NACS now for six years,” said Kurt F Mungenast Jr, VP of Sales. “The traffic has been good, and quality accounts have come through and shown strong interest, especially in our new microwaveable cups.”
The company’s newest line of single-serve meals was created with convenience stores in mind. “We now have both our core product, which would be the cheeseburger macaroni and beef pasta, along with a new breakfast platform featuring cheesy hash brown and sausage and gravy,” the representative said. “That allows operators to offer breakfast as well as lunch, dinner and snacks within the same category.”
Eagle also tapped into one of the show’s most talked-about flavor trends. “The pickle trend is very hot within the market,” they added. “Our Popcorn Indiana Fried Pickle has had phenomenal acceptance. Retailers come to the table, try it, then come back for a second helping.”
A few aisles away, the discussion focused on precision and reliability. At SRP, a company that supplies eyewear, electronics, and general merchandise to over 60,000 stores across North America, executives highlighted how the speed of convenience retail has transformed operations.
“The convenience side is so much different than mass or big box,” said David McQuilliams, Sales Director, US Convenience for SRP. “It’s fast-paced with a lot of moving parts.”
SRP’s investment in RFID technology has also changed how it serves retailers. “We can wave a handheld over a display, and it tells us exactly what’s there, with 99.9 percent accuracy,” the representative explained. “That helps us keep stores full and accurate, on time, and it’s a huge advantage for our retail partners.”
For Trion Industries, a Pennsylvania-based manufacturer of shelf management systems, this year’s show stood out for its scale. “It seems to be the most well-attended show I’ve seen so far,” said a company representative. “There’s been a lot of activity at our booth, and we’re very pleased with the results.”
Founded in 1965, Trion’s roots in American production remain central to its identity. “Ninety percent of the items we make are produced right in Wilkesboro, Pennsylvania,” the representative said. “We’re proud to be a true American manufacturer.”
As the booths came down and attendees headed home, exhibitors agreed that NACS 2025 reflected an industry that thrives on evolution and connection. “NACS is where you come to see what’s next,” one participant said. “It’s about ideas, relationships and momentum.”
