Yes, the NACS Show is incredibly fun. And it’s an amazing way to stay connected with your industry friends and colleagues. More than that, it’s the best possible way to make sure you’re in the know about the current state of the industry and thinking ahead to what’s next.
Are You Using AI—Or Is It Using You?
There are fantastic real-life use cases of AI happening right now in convenience retail—and plenty of false starts and investments that haven’t shown return. Other companies are still in the dip-a-toe-in-the-water phase.
AI will be everywhere at the NACS Show Expo, while Education Sessions give operators everything from food for thought to practical tips.
Want to separate AI hype from retail reality? There’s an Education Session on that specific theme. Other sessions cover how to shop for AI without breaking the bank and how to implement agentic AI. You can also learn from the winner of the Smartest Store in the World competition, Wumart in Beijing, which has turned itself inside out to become an AI-first retailer.
Sales Driven by Viral Social Media Trends
Trendy snack foods, emerging flavors, customer-generated secret menu combos and new products garner attention faster than you can say “squishy butter.” The value of jumping on trends at the right time isn’t going away: More than half of Gen Z say they would rather use social media, like TikTok, to find products than search engines.
The summer of 2026 was all about the squishy toy, with everything from squishy butter to collectable NeeDoh’s making waves across the internet—and in c-stores, where customers are going “squishy hunting” for the latest releases. Recent trends driven by social media, like Dubai chocolate, turned out to have staying power.
What’s going to follow in 2027? The NACS Show is the place to find out. More than 100 companies display their products in the New Exhibitor Area, while the Cool New Products Preview Room has hundreds of trending items.
Computer Vision and DSLs
You already have cameras, but what can you do when you combine cameras and AI? The answer is computer vision. Applications are endless, from tracking how long product has been on the roller grill, to identifying shoplifters and gathering data in real time on which merchandising approach is working.
Digital shelf labels (DSLs) aren’t new, but combined with the latest AI enhancements, they offer retailers the ability to someday turn over pricing to AI agents. In the meantime, they offer one-click price changes.
The technology area of the NACS Show Expo is where you will find the latest innovations in both these categories, and get the insights to decide what’s right for your business.
CPGs Cater to Gen Z
Younger shoppers, particularly Gen Z and Gen Alpha, are driving changes in the snacking landscape. They’re buying snacks less frequently and choosing smaller pack sizes. More so than other generations, they are looking for functional ingredients. And they are into novelty and social media-worthiness.
There’s no better place to see evolving consumer packaged goods than the NACS Show, with hundreds of suppliers offering their latest innovations at the NACS Show Expo.
Want to better understand this consumer? Attend the Education Session “What’s Convenient Now? Gen Z and Gen Alpha Weigh In,” where experts explore how the younger generations define convenience.
The Backbar Is Front of Mind
What’s shrinking, what’s gaining and how do retailers stay on top of what customers are looking for?
The NACS Show Expo showcases the latest innovations from established backbar suppliers while offering new entrants a chance to showcase their products. Don’t forget to check out new ideas in shelving, too. With assortments changing more rapidly than ever, is your shelving keeping pace?
Education Sessions have you covered, too, with topics including how tobacco and loyalty programs intersect and how to rethink your backbar to keep pace with the modern consumer.
The Changing Face of Foodservice Equipment
Accounting for 28% of inside sales, foodservice is an integral part of the c-store industry’s future—and it begins with equipment.
Whether it’s keeping hot foods hot, offering bean-to-cup coffee or dropping chicken, a successful foodservice program requires reliable and efficient equipment in a small footprint.
Many operators come to the NACS Show looking for solutions that extend the shelf life of product and reduce waste. And if installing a hood system is not an option, highspeed ventless ovens are go-to c-store solutions for baking, steaming and toasting.
Foodservice equipment also has to deliver on the speed of service expectation that c-stores are known for. Countertop warmers, ice machines, fountain dispensers, frozen dispensed beverage machines … these are all massive investments that need to produce a ROI.
If you’re looking for the latest tech-enabled solutions, many companies are incorporating artificial intelligence for cook time precision and reducing waste, which can help store teams focus on customer facing tasks and alleviate redundancies across multiple foodservice categories.
At the NACS Show Expo, retailers will find foodservice equipment solution providers showcasing warming equipment and ovens, refrigeration, ice machines, water purification, foodservice cases and counters displays, roller grills, and hot, cold and frozen beverage dispensers.
Adjusting the Forecourt for EV Drivers
What once seemed like an imminent EV takeover has slowed down—way down. While the EV market has stabilized, traditional internal combustion engine vehicles are featuring better-than-ever fuel efficiency and hybrids continue to make up a meaningful amount of new car sales.
How will you attract customers who need fuel less often? The Education Session “Trip Drivers on Your Lot in the Post Fuel Era” can help sharpen your thinking.
Meanwhile, the question of how to make money selling ions continues to be pressing. Two Education Sessions dive into the business side, including a conversation on hosting versus owning EV chargers.
