CHICAGO — There is something unmistakable about the energy of NACS Show mornings: the early chatter over coffee, the shuffle of attendees heading to sessions, and the buzz of discovery as old colleagues reconnect and new ideas take hold.
This year in Chicago, that feeling was everywhere. NACS Show 2025 was more than just a showcase of products and technology; it was a gathering of people who genuinely love the convenience business and the customers they serve every day. Over four days of educational sessions and a lively Expo floor, the focus went back to what moves the industry forward: leadership, data, innovation, and human connection.
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People First, Leadership Forward
The week started with gratitude and optimism as NACS President and CEO Henry Armour prepared to hand over leadership to incoming head Frank Gleeson. On stage with outgoing chairman Brian Hannasch, the three leaders reflected on the importance of culture, service, and continuity in guiding the next chapter of industry growth.
“We value our frontlines,” Gleeson said. “We came from stores, so we understand the value of our people, the jobs they do for our customers and the importance of the teams they serve. The best leaders have to have a service and hospitality mindset for their people, so that their people can have it for our customers.”
That spirit of collaboration carried through to Annie Gauthier, who began her term as 2025–2026 NACS Chair. “As an industry, we are there for each other. We share with each other and we lift each other up so that we can lift up the communities we serve,” she told attendees at the general session.
For many, those words conveyed the tone of the event: a blend of pride, partnership, and renewed dedication to the people behind every store.
AI Gets Practical
Artificial intelligence was the most talked-about technology at the show, but the overall tone was surprisingly down-to-earth. For retailers, AI is no longer just an abstract idea but a useful real-world tool.
“AI is a power drill compared to a screwdriver,” said Babir Sultan of Favtrip. “It is more accurate. It saves time. It is faster.”
Gray Taylor, executive director of Conexxus, told attendees during the NACS/Conexxus Technology Roadmap session that the rapid spread of AI will require new thinking about how retailers plan and execute. “It will change our goals, our timeframes, and more,” Taylor said. “We are going to have to learn to manage and measure differently.”
Smaller operators talked about using AI to automate reports, predict fuel sales, and make category resets easier without needing dedicated tech teams. In every session, the message was the same: start small, start now, and focus on real-world results.
What the Numbers Say
NACS Managing Director of Research Chris Rapanick provided a snapshot of the year so far. Inside transactions during the first half of 2025 declined 1.9 percent from a year earlier, and foodservice growth slowed to 2.1 percent. Fuel margins remained strong, helping to offset declines in unit sales across most categories.
Retailers without fuel saw a drop in store count, while those with fuel continued to expand. “If store count is a barometer of industry health, that tells a pretty clear story,” Rapanick said. The session drew a standing-room-only crowd, underscoring how hungry operators are for data that helps them plan for 2026.
Flavor, Function, and Familiar Comfort
On the Expo floor, the theme was variety and reinvention. Products combined function and indulgence, with suppliers showcasing everything from protein-fortified snacks and hydration sticks to clear protein drinks and energy innovations in pouches and bars. Fiber has now become part of the lineup, with PepsiCo’s new Pepsi Probiotic drink highlighting how better-for-you ingredients are becoming mainstream.
“2025 is the peak of innovation I have seen across the snack and candy category,” said RaceTrac’s Anna Kjerrumgaard. Her comment summed up what attendees saw at booth after booth: new flavors, new packaging, and familiar favorites reimagined for modern shoppers.
PepsiCo’s rebranding of Lay’s, featuring a matte finish that highlights simplicity, was one example of that shift. At Eagle Family Foods, visitors queued up to try the company’s new single-serve microwaveable meals designed specifically for convenience stores.
“The traffic has been good, and quality accounts have come through and shown strong interest, especially in our new microwaveable cups,” said Kurt F. Mungenast Jr., Vice President of Sales for Eagle Family Foods. “Our newest line was created with convenience stores in mind, and it gives operators flexibility across breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks.”
He added that flavor innovation is paying off. “The pickle trend is very hot within the market," Mungenast said. “Our Popcorn Indiana Fried Pickle has had phenomenal acceptance. Retailers come to the table, try it, then come back for a second helping."
At SRP, David McQuilliams, Sales Director for U.S. Convenience, spoke about how the pace of the industry continues to accelerate. “The convenience side is so much different than mass or big box,” he said. “It is fast-paced with a lot of moving parts.”
Consumers, Changed
Changing health habits remained a recurring topic. In a session on eating patterns and wellness trends, Circana’s Sally Lyons Wyatt reassured retailers that medications like GLP-1 drugs are not hurting sales.
“GLP-1 is not a killer of convenience,” she said. “Convenience is actually a friend to GLP-1 consumers. Portion control and single-serve options fit perfectly with how these customers eat.”
Retailers and suppliers agree that moderation, functionality, and choice will shape the next phase of product development.
From Ideas to Action
By Thursday, the focus had shifted from exploration to execution. Retailers who spent the first days walking the floor went back to close deals, test promotions, and plan rollouts. Sessions on store design and local marketing encouraged operators to experiment in shorter, faster cycles — launching, learning, and improving with each step.
That same theme carried over into Friday’s closing session, where filmmaker Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes, best known as Jay and Silent Bob, took the stage for a conversation that blended humor with heartfelt appreciation.
“NACS is Comic-Con for C-stores,” Smith said to loud applause. “C-stores are a big part of my story. I grew up in them, I filmed in one, and they are still where real stories happen.”
Mewes shared that he toured the Expo floor before the session. “So much great stuff,” he said, amazed by the creativity and innovation he found on the floor.
Smith closed on a note that drew nods from the audience. “The convenience store is the great equalizer,” he said. “Everyone shops there.”
The Road to 2026
As exhibitors finished packing up and attendees headed home, the mood was optimistic and full of momentum. Discussions about AI, analytics, leadership, and flavor innovation all pointed in the same direction: the industry’s greatest strength is its ability to evolve while remaining rooted in community.
With new leadership at NACS and early plans already underway for the 2026 show in Las Vegas, this year’s event left behind more than just business cards and booth samples. It served as a reminder that even in an age of data, automation, and rapid change, the human connection across the counter is still what defines convenience retail.
