Conexxus Vision Group (CxVG) has released its newest Vision Report, “Owning the Numbers: Data-Driven Decisions from Strategy to Store.” The report is based on the CxVG April virtual quarterly meeting and discusses how convenience retailers of all sizes can leverage data visualization, analysis and inventory management tools.

New beginning with this Vision Report: The “In The Room” transcript is now online as an interactive, searchable FlippingBook–take a look and try it. The video recordings for the meeting presentations for this Vision Report are also available.

The CxVG virtual quarterly meeting on April 3, 2025, was facilitated by James Maxey, an industry expert now teaching at Trinity University. Maxey and CxVG member Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip, demonstrated how small chain operators can use easily accessible and affordable data tools to improve data and inventory management.

Key takeaways in the Conexxus Vision Report include:

  • Data Visualization as a Business Tool: During a live demonstration by James Maxey, Industry Expert and CxVG Facilitator, the Tableau visualization tool was shown to quickly transform data into actionable insights.
  • Data-Driven Inventory Management for Small Operators: Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip showcased data analysis that can optimize inventory by identifying key products and setting appropriate inventory levels: “When I came into this industry 20 years ago, the big issue was smaller operators – one, two, five-store operators – had no access to their own data. When we thought of data, we thought of it being something not meant for us; only meant for the big players.”
  • Vendor Relations and Supply Chain Optimization: Multiple CxVG members noted how data analysis has transformed vendor relationships, shifting the dynamic from vendor-led to retailer-controlled ordering. “If you make a mistake in that order process, you’re challenged to make returns. So this [use of AI] could be a huge asset in trying to help them place orders, because it’s amazing to me that they relinquish that responsibility,” shared Rob Razowsky, CEO at Rmarts LLC.
  • Business Performance and Monetization: Other key takeaways from the discussion revealed surprising inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement with keen data analysis. “We created a dayson-hand report for all of our SKUs in the store…it showed us just how many weeks on hand of inventory we had in certain SKUs. And at first we just didn’t believe it,” shared Kristina Anderson, chief service officer for Midwest Petroleum Company.
  • Labor Management and Staff Empowerment: The group also discussed how data tools can empower employees and transform staff management. “As an entrepreneur, as somebody that’s curious, I like setting the stage for them and then literally just handing it over to them. So all the employees that are in charge of the department…It becomes their job: Grow that department and get rewarded accordingly,” says Babir Sultan, president of FavTrip.

To view this report, read the complete transcript and view the demonstrations and presentation, please CLICK HERE.

To download other Vision Reports from the Vision Group Network, please CLICK HERE.

 

The Conexxus Vision Group (CxVG) brings together convenience leaders for quarterly virtual meetings. CxVG has been created to expand Conexxus’ retailer and supplier engagement and amplify Conexxus’ goals and achievements and will identify strategic technology innovations regarding convenience/mobility industry issues, technologies, and practices. The group is committed to sharing its views and perspectives to advance the convenience retailing and mobility industry. CxVG operates under the Vision Group Network, which gathers the collective knowledge and ideas of its members to create a legacy of sharing within the retail community. For more information and to sign up for future Vision Reports, visit our website: VGNsharing.com.