Cover Image: Cameras and shelf sensors spot what items Hudson Nonstop customers grab to eliminate checkout friction.
Early self-checkout systems frustrated me. I’d be the woman muttering, “Yes, the items are in the bagging area”—standing by while a cashier came to my rescue. When my kids were young and asked to help, we’d invariably end up scanning the same box of cereal five times. My now-grown-up son works part time as a grocery store cashier, and let’s just say, he has heard some colorful language in the self-checkout area.
“ Self-checkout technology has improved in recent years, along with my skill in using it.”
Fortunately, self-checkout technology has improved in recent years, along with my skill in using it. I’m not sure I’m ready just yet for the next step: autonomous retail. Switching planes at Chicago Midway International Airport last summer, I peeked into a Hudson Nonstop market equipped with Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Visually, the store’s lighting and signage are appealing, but for someone who grew up on science fiction novels, I found the camera-festooned ceiling unsettling. I’m sure future iterations will solve for this.
Self-checkouts by NCR have replaced express lanes in many Whole Foods Market locations.
Our cover story delves into the frictionless strategies convenience retailers like Circle K, Mach 1 and Parker’s are using in their stores, offering some practical advice for implementation. One hurdle is winning employee acceptance.
This month we are delighted to introduce the 2022 NACS/NielsenIQ list of the Top 100 Convenience Retailers as ranked by store count. What’s unique about this list is our ranking of C-, D- and E-size chains not only by store count but also by NACS region. The main trend line is industry consolidation. As “M&A Boom” explores, the biggest chains are expanding their reach by acquiring smaller chains with a track record of growth and strong fuel and convenience assets. Interviews with investment banking firms, leading retailers and consolidators indicate that M&A activity is still red hot.
Speaking of heat, in “Spice It Up,” we take a closer look at the hot and spicy trend in food and beverages which has real staying power. “Military Ready” shares how convenience retailers QuikTrip and CEFCO, among others, are known for hiring former military personnel, and how other retailers can boost their ranks, too.
I hope to see many of you in Chicago April 12-14 for the first live, in-person NACS State of the Industry Summit since I took the helm of this magazine in 2019!
Wheels up, my friends!
Kim Stewart, Editor-In-Chief