Convenience store retailers and suppliers are bracing for a wave of consumer and regulatory trends set to dominate discussion at this year’s NACS Show, according to editors at trade publication CSP Daily News, who previewed shifts spanning snacks, tobacco policy, foodservice and beverages.
In the snack aisle, market research firm Circana says shoppers are becoming more deliberate about why they buy certain products, citing functional health goals, changes tied to GLP-1 weight-loss medications, and the growing use of artificial intelligence to discover new items. Sally Lyons Wyatt, global executive vice president and chief advisor at Circana, said snacking has become one of the most dependable growth areas in food and beverage, with shoppers increasingly expecting snacks to deliver benefits such as protein content or support broader health goals. Circana also noted that product discovery is fragmenting, with consumers turning to social media and AI tools to compare and choose snacks rather than relying solely on in-store browsing.
Tobacco Regulation in Focus
Behind the counter, the tobacco and nicotine category has seen significant regulatory activity this year. In May, the Food and Drug Administration issued new enforcement rules targeting unauthorized vapes and nicotine pouch products, saying it would not pursue action against products with pending applications under the updated guidance. The FDA also authorized several flavored vapor tobacco pods in 2026 — Classic Menthol, Fresh Menthol, a mango-flavored Gold pod and a blueberry-flavored Sapphire pod — made by Inglewood, California-based Glas Inc. The approval marked the agency’s first authorization of e-cigarette products outside tobacco or menthol flavors.
As cigarette sales continue to decline, other tobacco products, including nicotine pouches, are seeing sustained growth in convenience stores. Melanie Zahller, retail category manager for tobacco, nicotine and candy at Bainbridge, Georgia-based Southwest Georgia Oil Co., said the company has recorded three consecutive years of year-over-year growth in that segment, though the pace has slowed. The company plans to expand shelf space dedicated to nicotine pouches as part of its 2026 store resets.
Wings, Energy Drinks and Emerging Beverages
On the foodservice side, chicken wings are emerging as a growth category for convenience chains. Ankeny, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores highlighted the opportunity during its fourth-quarter and fiscal year 2026 earnings call on June 10, with chairman, president and CEO Darren Rebelez saying the wing program could eventually rival the size of the company’s pizza business. Other chains are also expanding wing offerings: Laval, Quebec-based Circle K introduced Flamin’ Hot Boneless Wings in July, while York, Pennsylvania-based Rutter’s added sauce customization options to its bone-in and boneless wings that same month.
Energy drinks continue to be a standout in packaged beverages. Tom Brennan, Casey’s chief merchandising officer, said at the company’s 2026 Investor Day on June 24 that demand for the category continues to grow rapidly, prompting the company to expand cooler space. According to Brennan, Casey’s most common store layout devoted two cooler doors and 17 shelves to energy drinks in fiscal year 2023; by fiscal year 2026, which ended April 30, that had grown to three doors and 24 shelves.
Other beverage trends expected to surface include hemp-derived THC drinks, similar to those featured at the National Restaurant Show in Chicago earlier this year, though such products face uncertainty due to a federal deadline — originally set for Nov. 12 and since delayed to December — that could restrict many of them from the market. Nonalcoholic and functional beverages are also gaining attention, including offerings marketed for calming or stimulating effects, as well as adaptogen- and electrolyte-infused drinks.
Technology and AI Tools Expand
On the technology front, artificial intelligence products are expected to remain a major presence at the trade show’s exhibitor floor, continuing a trend from previous years as convenience retailers explore AI-driven tools across operations and merchandising.
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