The convenience sector may face significant challenges today, but its long-term outlook remains positive. However, the convenience stores of tomorrow are likely to look and operate quite differently from what we see today.

So how can independent and symbol retailers get ahead of the curve? Which emerging trends will matter most? And what steps should you be taking now to ensure you’re ready?

Explore what will drive your shoppers’ missions in 2030 and how you can position your store to meet those needs. From seasonal moments to ‘food to go’ and ‘food for later’, discover how changing behaviours will shape what your customers want.

Convenience retailers can gain a competitive edge by launching new products ahead of larger competitors, capitalising on trends, and driving customer engagement. But success requires more than speed—it’s about execution. Retailers should build anticipation with teasers, samples, and exclusives, create in-store experiences, and ensure new items align with customer needs. Making room for launches involves rotating slow-moving stock, using secondary displays, and trialing small batches. Strong visibility, perfect timing, and exclusive offers enhance sales. Ultimately, the best retailers don’t just chase trends; they make sure products resonate with shoppers, creating demand and securing long-term customer loyalty.

As per Newstrade’s recent Retail Sentiment Tracker, 12.8% of stores that are confident in driving future profits told us they are talking to suppliers about excess stock and general support once the disposable vape ban comes in. This is significantly higher – by six percentage points – than the number of stores that are not confident about future profits who say they are talking to suppliers. What is the value of supplier relationships? How can you use supplier relationships effectively? What questions should you be asking, what help should you be asking for, and how can suppliers and retailers work together to drive category success amid a period of great pressure and change?

Incidents of theft in the UK’s local shops reached a record high of 6.2 million in 2024; and retailers are more worried about crime and staff safety than ever before
In this Masterclass Lisa Maslen, Superintendent for the National Business Crime Centre will share a national crime update, including the proposed changes to legislation that directly impact retailers as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. Lisa will also offer advice to retailers on preventative measures they can take in store and offer guidance as to how shop owners can further engage with community policing in their specific region to help protect themselves, their staff and customers.

Host: Lisa Malsen

As per Newstrade’s recent Retail Sentiment Tracker, 58% of stores said that footfall was down year-on-year. And this tallies with sales. 83% of stores where footfall is down said profits are also down; 75% of stores who say profits were up – or the same – say that footfall is up. The link is clear. How can stores improve their footfall? What are the important things to consider? How do they get more people in their store? How can they maximise conversion at the till point? How can they use events and strong PoS outside stores to pull people in, and a strong offer in-store to convert footfall into sales?

As per Newstrade’s recent Retail Sentiment Tracker, 26% of stores that are very confident about profits increasing in the next 12 months told us they are talking to shoppers to help them prepare for the upcoming disposable vape ban. This is 4% higher than the number of stores that are not confident in the future profits. This shows that the most successful stores are those that are most engaged in helping their shoppers through big changes like this, and helping them understand what alternatives might be available. Category education is crucial – so how can retailers best help their shoppers understand what categories they might move to? How can they delicately upsell tobacco alternatives to an audience that might not fully understand what they are and why they might be right for them?