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1. What You Can Learn from EG America’s Strategy for the Future of Convenience

Welcome to a conversation that I believe will change how you view your convenience store business. Recently, I had the pleasure of listening to an incredibly candid discussion on the Global Convenience Store Focus podcast with John Carey, the President and CEO of EG America (the benefit of early Saturday morning lawn mowing and AirPods). His insights are truly invaluable for anyone in the convenience retail space, especially independent operators like many of you. 

What immediately struck me wasn’t just the sheer scale of EG America’s operations – with over 1,500 stores and multiple banners under their belt – but how universally applicable the fundamental principles behind their success really are. Mr. Carey brings a unique perspective, having led transformation initiatives across diverse industries before taking the helm at EG America. His approach isn’t about simply throwing money at problems; it’s about deeply understanding what drives customer behavior and building robust systems to consistently deliver on those insights. This is precisely why his strategies are so relevant, whether you operate a single location or a small chain. 

The core challenges EG America faces, despite its enterprise scale, mirror yours exactly: How do you cultivate a culture that executes your vision effectively? How do you adapt to a market that’s constantly shifting? How do you elevate your food service to compete with everyone, not just other convenience stores? And how do you harness technology to build deeper customer relationships? These aren’t just “corporate problems”—they are fundamental convenience store challenges that every operator must address. 

Throughout this series, we’ll dive deep into key themes that EG America is focusing on for the future of convenience. These include:

• Culture: We’ll explore why culture is the foundational element that supports everything else in your business, driving your team’s ability to execute your vision. 
• Market Adaptation: We’ll discuss the critical importance of constantly analyzing market trends and customer needs to ensure your business remains relevant and competitive. 
• Food Service: We’ll examine why food service is becoming a vital growth area and how to elevate your offerings to become a true destination for customers. 
• Image, Localization, and Safety: We’ll look at the importance of your store’s overall environment, tailoring offerings to your local community, and ensuring the safety of both your customers and staff. 
• Technology and Innovation: We’ll explore how leveraging technology, especially loyalty programs and AI, can lead to a deeper understanding of your customers and drive future growth. 

Each of these areas represents a strategic pillar that independent operators can build upon, regardless of their current size or resources. In fact, you often have inherent advantages over large chains in several of these areas. Your ability to pivot quickly, connect personally with your local community, and implement changes without layers of corporate approval are competitive strengths that Mr. Carey himself recognizes. The trick is understanding how to strategically leverage these advantages. 

Why should you, an independent operator, care about what a 1,500-store chain is doing? Because they are confronting the exact same market pressures you are: declining tobacco sales, changing fuel consumption patterns, evolving customer expectations, and rising operational costs. The key difference is they have the resources to test, analyze, and refine solutions at scale. By understanding their strategic thinking, you can adapt their learnings to your specific situation, potentially saving yourself the trial-and-error costs. 

The convenience industry is at a pivotal moment. Customer expectations are changing rapidly, traditional revenue streams are under pressure, and new competitors are emerging from unexpected places. Success in this environment demands more than just maintaining the status quo; it requires strategic thinking, operational excellence, and a constant willingness to evolve. 

In our very next post, we’re going to tackle the absolute foundation of everything else we’ll discuss culture. As Mr. Carey succinctly puts it, “culture eats strategy for breakfast.” Understanding why this statement holds so much truth—and, more importantly, what concrete actions you can take—could be the difference between merely surviving and truly thriving in today’s convenience landscape.

Thanks for reading and let me know what you think in the comments.