NACS was founded August 14, 1961, as the National Association of Convenience Stores. It is an international trade association representing more than 2,200 retail and 1,600 supplier company members. NACS member companies do business in nearly 50 countries worldwide, with the majority of members based in the United States. The U.S. convenience store industry, with more than 149,000 stores across the country, posted $700 billion in total sales in 2012, of which $501 billion were motor fuels sales.
NACS serves the convenience and fuel retailing industry by providing industry knowledge, connections and advocacy to ensure the competitive viability of its members’ businesses. In 2007, the association shortened its name to NACS and added a tagline that better defines its presence both internationally and at the retail fueling level: The Association for Convenience and Petroleum Retailing. In 2010, this statement was further enhanced to The Association for Convenience and Fuel Retailing.
While 47 of the top 50 convenience store companies in the United States are members of NACS, the majority of its members are small, independent operators. More than 70% of the total NACS membership is comprised of companies that operate 10 stores or less. This membership base roughly tracks the industry as a whole. Of the 149,000-plus convenience stores in the United States, 63% are owned and operated by someone with just one store.
http://www.nacsonline.com
