The best part of walking the NACS Show floor isn’t seeing what’s new. It’s spotting the patterns. (And snacking!)
This year’s event drew more than 25,500 attendees from 74 countries and territories, making it the second-highest attended NACS Show ever. Across more than 1,000 exhibitors, educational sessions, and countless conversations, one thing was clear: Convenience retail continues to evolve alongside changing consumer expectations.
As I walked the show floor, attended sessions, and chatted with retailers and industry partners, four themes kept emerging.
1. Trusted brands are finding new ways to stay relevant
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. The Coca-Cola polar bear. Kool-Aid. ICEE. Coors Banquet. Some of the most talked-about displays at the NACS Show 2026 featured brands consumers have known for decades.
At first glance, it may look like nostalgia. It’s really about trust. Familiar brands reduce the risk of trying something new and foster the kind of emotional connection that drives loyalty.
For retailers, understanding which brands inspire the strongest loyalty can help inform assortment, merchandising, and promotional decisions. The brands drawing attention weren’t simply leaning on their history. They were using decades of brand equity to introduce new products and reengage consumers.
2. The proteinification of everyday snacking
One of the clearest trends at NACS was the ongoing proteinification of food and beverage categories. Protein is no longer limited to bars and shakes. It’s showing up in crackers, pretzels, cereals, and other snacks consumers already enjoy.
Cheez-It debuted a protein-enhanced cracker. Magic Spoon showcased protein-focused snacks and treats. Crisp Power highlighted protein pretzels. Consumers aren’t just looking for dedicated “protein snacks.” They’re looking for familiar products with added benefits.
For retailers, that means protein is becoming less of a niche wellness trend and more of a mainstream merchandising opportunity.
3. Hydration is expanding beyond sports drinks
Hydration and electrolytes were everywhere. And for a girl who doesn’t do caffeine, this was a welcome evolution!
Capri Sun Hydrate is one of the first-to-market drinks with electrolytes designed specifically for kids. GOGO Fruit Blend Pouches with Electrolytes are a sports snack blended with electrolytes, antioxidants, and zero added sugar. And perhaps the most memorable example was a giant pickle juice activation roughly the size of a shipping container.
The trend reflects a broader consumer focus on wellness, recovery, and everyday performance. And what’s particularly interesting is that consumers don’t appear to be choosing between wellness and indulgence. The same show floor that celebrated Kool-Aid and ICEE was also packed with functional beverages and electrolyte-enhanced products.
For retailers, hydration is becoming a consumer need state that extends well beyond the beverage cooler.
4. AI has moved from buzzword to business strategy
No trend generated more conversation than AI. (I know, you’re shocked.) The conversation has shifted from “what is AI?” to “how do I use it?” – and people are eager to be hands-on.
PDI’s session, Agentic AI for Around-the-Clock Retail, featuring Jeff Hassman and retail tech leader Rick Rigby, attracted more than 300 attendees, reflecting the growing demand for practical AI applications. Continued conversations around PDIQ centered on improving decision-making, streamlining operations, uncovering actionable insights, and creating more relevant customer experiences.
AI is no longer viewed as a future concept. Retailers are increasingly focused on putting it to work today.
The bigger takeaway
Taken together, these trends tell a larger story. Consumers want products that combine familiarity, functionality, and experiences that earn their loyalty. They want trusted brands that continue to evolve, products that support their lifestyles, and experiences that feel increasingly relevant.
At the same time, retailers are navigating margin pressures, labor challenges, and rapidly changing consumer preferences. The retailers that succeed will be the ones that can connect consumer insights, operational data, loyalty strategies, and emerging technologies to create more value with every interaction.
Want to see how leading retailers are using data and AI to drive growth?
Contact the PDI team to explore how PDIQ and our broader retail solutions can help identify opportunities, improve performance, and create more personalized customer experiences.