“Industry progress is not only driven by innovative companies, but by the energies, determination and inspiration of the individuals who lead them,” said NACS President and CEO Henry Armour at the NACS Convenience Summit Asia, adding, “These awards recognize and honor the contributions of successful and influential industry leaders who represent excellence, dedication and influence in the convenience retail community.”

NACS Convenience Retailer of the Year Asia-Pacific: Tops Daily Laguna Village

Tops Daily Laguna Village is a small-format brand by Central Food Retail Co. Ltd., the leading food retailer in Thailand. The company operates the supermarket brands Tops, Tops Food Hall and Tops Fine Food, as well as the convenience store brand Tops Daily in the highly competitive Thailand retail market.

In 2024, the company launched a new hybrid store concept called Tops Daily X Tops Wine Cellar at its Laguna Village location in Phuket, Thailand. The hybrid model combines a convenience store with a dedicated section for wine and chilled beer and features wines from 13 countries, with on-site chillers to quickly chill room temperature beer and wine for customers.

The concept has changed Tops Daily from a traditional convenience store to a spot to also relax and socialize. In the six months after it launched, sales at the store exceeded projections by 37%.

NACS Convenience Retail Technology Award Asia-Pacific: GS25

Operated by parent company GS Retail in South Korea, GS25 is the top convenience store brand in the country. For 16 consecutive years, GS25 has been named “Korea’s Most Respected Company.”

Today, GS25 boasts an independently developed brand and operating system that offers a differentiated online and offline experience. The company’s smart store format, called GS25 DX Lab, is a 190-square-meter space that relies completely on artificial intelligence technology. Customers can purchase products through facial recognition software and receive information on wine with the touch of their palm, as well as view customized advertisements through AI sensors that recognize a person’s gender and age.

2025 NACS Convenience Retail Sustainability Award Asia-Pacific: uSmile

Headquartered in Beijing, China, there are nearly 20,000 uSmile convenience stores in provincial capitals, coastal cities and municipalities throughout the country.

PetroChina uSmile’s approach to sustainability is focused on reducing the environmental impact of its service station operations. The company aims to achieve carbon neutrality (net zero emissions) within its business activities under the time frame specified in the Paris Agreement.

In 2024, uSmile treated 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and cut CO2 emissions by 100,000 tons. By the end of 2024, uSmile built 2,000 new EV charging stations with 30,000 chargers, bringing its total to 4,000 EV charging stations with 59,000 chargers.

To promote multiple energy supplies, PetroChina introduced and expanded its network of alternative fuels, including LNG, hydrogen, EV charging and battery swap. By 2024, PetroChina had built 1,400 new Photovoltaic (PV) stations and now operate 3,000 PV stations in China.

NACS Convenience Industry Leader Asia-Pacific: U-Ming Tan

U-Ming Tan is the co-chief executive officer and executive director of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings Bhd. With over 2,400 stores, 7-Eleven Malaysia is the largest convenience store operator in Malaysia. In 2021, it debuted its 7Café concept, which combines a convenience store and café in one location, with seating for customers to enjoy ready-to-eat meals, snacks, coffee and desserts. More than 550 stores already have the concept, which features locally sourced, fresh ingredients.

Tan was named co-CEO of 7-Eleven Malaysia in 2020. He joined 7-Eleven Malaysia as director in 2008, overseeing the merchandising, procurement and marketing functions. Tan was promoted to executive director in 2011 and appointed to the Board of 7-Eleven Malaysia Holdings in 2013. He is also on the board of eight other companies.