To get a jump on starting fresh for 2021, I finally unpacked a couple of boxes that had made their way from our old house to our new one—in 2018. Amid all of the random power cords for VCRs long discarded and game consoles abandoned, I discovered three hand-size drones, including one with night vision photography capabilities I’d given my hubby several Christmases ago. He charged it up, downloaded a software update and tested it out.

In our kitchen.

As I was cleaning up dinner.

Our dog, who can be counted on to stare at me intently as I load the dishwasher in anticipation of licking a plate or two, was uncharacteristically absent from his sentinel post. The drone and its high-pitched buzzing had driven him from the room.

Last-mile delivery is the bane of dogs everywhere—and as it turns out, many retailers.

If delivery drones are our future, I may have to invest in CBD chewables for my poor pup. The FedEx truck already drives him bonkers. Last-mile delivery is the bane of dogs everywhere—and as it turns out, many retailers. Figuring out the sweet spot of delivery, from the mode to price to product quality, is part of ongoing research at NACS. Our cover story this month is a deep dive into the landmark NACS Research study “Last Mile Fulfillment in Convenience Retail.” While drone delivery is certainly on the radar, other more-immediate methods convenience retailers are using to bring the c-store to consumers are covered in the study, which includes findings from 140 convenience retailers around the world.

Top-notch last-mile fulfillment can’t happen without robust technology platforms. Kevin Smartt, NACS chairman for 2020-21 and Kwik Chek CEO, aims to help the industry lean into technology this year, which also happens to be the 60th anniversary of NACS. Smartt shares his vision and priorities as NACS chair in this month’s interview, “A Tech Leader.” Smartt says the industry isn’t done learning from COVID-19. “The timing is very opportunistic for our industry to lean forward in technology,” he says. And that includes implementing everything from online ordering to home delivery to curbside pickup.

While the pandemic has accelerated shifts in technology and services in the retail industry, it’s also left many Americans stressed and anxious. So, lots of them are turning to CBD products for relief, as Melissa Vonder Haar shares in “The CBD Wellness Era.” Demand for CBD wellness products, including high-end beauty and skincare products, is surging, presenting another opportunity for convenience retailers to capture this market.

Wellness is a meaningful intention for 2021. Fill yourselves with peace, health and happiness, my friends. Happy New Year!