90 January | February 2026 abasto.com 6 7 BY RON MARGULIS T he 2025 Annual Convention of the National Associa- tion of Convenience Stores (NACS), held in Chicago, delivered a wide range of insights and tools relevant to the growth of Hispanic convenience stores. From product launches inspired by global flavors to business strategies and educational sessions, the event focused on innova- tion and the adaptation of retail operations. Lessons From the 2025 NACS Annual Convention Flavor innovation fuels growth for Hispanic convenience stores The Importance of Tailored Connections Key takeaways from edu- cational sessions under- scored the need to tailor assortments, marketing and in-store experiences to Hispanic consumer pre- ferences, while also leve- raging digital engagement and authentic product in- novation. During a session on con- venience retail in Latin America, executives from Balko Argentina a com- pany specializing in retail store design across the he- misphere emphasized the importance of being creative when developing or remodeling stores. Only through imagination and solid research, they said, can retailers consistently attract and retain shoppers. Business Lessons from Other Sessions Product assortments should prioritize authentic items from customers countries of origin while offering healthy or better-for-you options, such as natural, organic or plant-based products. Digital tools must include bilingual strategies and app features that highlight rele- vant brands and products, aligning with the heavy use Hispanic consumers make of platforms such as What- sApp and TikTok. Successful brands celebra- te authenticity regional flavors and family recipes while incorporating va- lue-driven attributes such as non-GMO or glu- ten-free, which particu- larly appeal to younger ge- nerations. AT THE EXHIBITION HALL 1.Goya Foods. 2. Dinant. 3. Barcel USA. 4. Cordialsa. 5.Acosta Group. 6. Electrolit. 7. Mexilink. 2 1 4 3 5 6 7 FOOD INDUSTRY