We had an incredible few days at NACS Show 2024 connecting with industry leaders, exploring emerging trends, and learning about the latest innovations shaping the future of convenience retail. And how do we know we had a great time at NACS? We’re still finding crumbs and wrappers in our luggage from all the cool new snacks we gorged on during and after the show.
Here are our five key takeaways from the event, highlighting significant collaborations, technological advancements, and consumer behavior trends we observed.
1. CPG collaborations: Elevating product offerings
The ongoing trend of collaborations between Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) brands to create unique, crave-worthy products was on full display this year. These collabs are designed to drive consumer engagement and maximize cross-category appeal—and they certainly do so in the convenience world! Notable examples that had our tastebuds curious included Dr Pepper® flavored Jack Link’s® meat stick and beef jerky, an OREO® brand and CocaCola® cookie, and General Mills and Girl Scouts with Thin Mints™ Muddy Buddies Chex Mix!
Additionally, we saw companies like Altria Group and Proper Wild coming together in the product distribution sector. With a leading portfolio of tobacco products for U.S. tobacco consumers age 21+, Altria has wide distribution in c-stores. Proper Wild, the maker of clean energy shots and gummies, was featured in the bustling Altria booth at the NACS Show, as Altria is helping to distribute Proper Wild in the channel.
These featured collabs and products create memorable experiences that draw consumers across brands to the convenience channel. Additionally, this collaborative approach demonstrates how legacy brands are working together to innovate their portfolios. PDI works closely with CPG brands in the c-store, and we’re excited to see how these new offerings perform.
2. Technology and insights: Data-driven decision-making
One of the most significant themes at NACS Show 2024 was the increasing reliance on technology and data insights to fuel business growth. This includes independent operators leveraging data to make informed decisions that enhance both the consumer experience and their business operations. From AI integration in inventory management to predictive analytics, technology is helping convenience stores stay competitive in a fast-changing market.
AI seems to be growing at the fastest rate than any other technology ever has, and the c-store industry has the opportunity to re-envision the shopper experience by utilizing AI. From shopper personalization to employee experience, AI in convenience retail was a prominent area of focus and discussion in all sectors and sessions of the NACS Show.
A highlight from the show was the f’real shakes and smoothies machines from Rich Products Corporation using AI to generate prompts that would create recipes specific to a consumers’ desires. The f’real prompts even included a personalized and fun milkshake name along with a list of ingredients. How cool (pun intended) for those of us that love something special just for us!
3. Foodservice: Fresh and health-conscious options on the rise
Foodservice continues to be a driving force in the c-store space. NACS Show showcased how retailers are adapting to evolving consumer demands, especially Gen Z. Understanding and catering to Gen Z consumers specifically was a major focus. Fresh and healthier snack options have become more prevalent offerings as convenience stores aim to meet the expectations of health-conscious consumers.
We saw that brands are focusing on delivering healthier grab-and-go meals while maintaining the convenience factor. This shift highly appeals to younger generations looking for quick yet nutritious options. We expect to see more of these offerings as interest in health and wellness increases. After all, we need something healthy to help balance all those delicious treat collabs and shakes!
4. Gen Z: The omnichannel generation
We had the opportunity to attend the NACS Show educational session, “Spilling the Tea on Gen Z,” to explore the unique characteristics, preferences, values, and behaviors of Gen Z consumers. Data revealed that this generation is truly redefining convenience shopping. Gen Z is known for being omnichannel consumers with many of their purchase journeys beginning online. While nearly half of Gen Z dollars are spent in stores, over 50% of Gen Z consumers have used the “buy” button on social media platforms. Gen Z expects a fast, tech-driven shopping experience and will reward brands that prioritize both ease and authenticity.
Key takeaways for retailers include simplifying choices, embracing technology, and embracing a sense of responsibility. This diverse and “digitally native” generation is actively looking for tailored experiences around hiring practices, workplace engagement strategies, and innovative marketing techniques.
5. Shoutout to the NACS team: Content marketing to drive engagement
Whether it was insights from data-led educational sessions, key takeaways from keynote speakers, or highlights from the show floor, the NACS team knows how to keep their audience engaged and inspired. As marketers ourselves, we appreciated that NACS had a comprehensive marketing strategy to ensure that attendees stayed informed and connected throughout the event. Their multichannel approach included daily print publications, app push notifications, a strong social media presence, and much more—including ways to engage those who didn’t attend in person but instead were following along digitally from afar.
NACS Show 2024 was a testament to the power of innovation, collaboration, and consumer understanding in shaping the future of convenience retail. From new product collaborations to AI-powered decision making, our industry is rapidly evolving. Staying ahead of these trends is critical for retailers to thrive in years to come—and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
If you’ve never attended this event, we highly encourage you to check it out in 2025.
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Join us at Connections Live 2025 in Denver, Colorado from August 24 to 27, 2025. You can now pre-register for the event to keep up with the latest news and gain priority access when registration officially opens in 2025.