At NACS, we often say with pride that half of America—about 165 million people—walks into convenience stores each day. Our customers are as diverse as our nation, and one of the things I find remarkable about this industry is that we have a welcoming, come-as-you-are spirit that puts people at ease. Being accepting and inclusive is not only good business but also a good practice. And sometimes that practice, day after day, is hard.
Achieving inclusivity in any organization is a journey—that’s the topic of our cover story featuring the NACS IDEA Conference, which brought together industry stakeholders to discuss inclusion, diversity, equity and awareness ahead of the 2021 NACS Show in October. Frank discussions were had around these weighty topics, and retailers learned from each other about their own journeys toward a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.
Achieving inclusivity in any organization is a journey.
Still, attracting job applicants with diverse viewpoints, skills and experiences to your company remains challenging. In “Understanding Your Local Labor Landscape,” we share learnings from a series of NACS webinars designed to help retailers find, hire and retain employees in this ever-changing economy. Admittedly, there are no quick fixes for solving the current labor crisis. It is instructive, though, to hear how retailers like TXB Stores and GPM Investments are approaching these challenges and finding some success.
In “Delivering Convenience,” we talk to Casey’s and other convenience retailers about the benefits and drawbacks of using third-party providers to deliver orders to customers. While delivery can give convenience stores a wider customer base, hefty fees, erratic delivery times and the question of access to customer data are considerable watchouts. As inflation spikes, it remains to be seen if consumers’ pandemic-fueled appetite for on-demand convenience will endure.
As we round out the 60th anniversary year of NACS, I want to wish all of you a peaceful, joyous holiday season.
