Member Spotlight: National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)

Welcome to the latest edition of Regulate Smarter’s “Member Spotlight,” a weekly segment where we go in-depth on the priorities and background of our members.

Up this week is the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), the world’s leading trade association representing more than 150,000 convenience stores across the United States.

The convenience store industry has become a fixture in America society. Each day, more than 160 million transactions take place at convenience stores in this country, the equivalent of roughly half of the U.S. population. More than 95% of the industry are independent businesses operating in the communities where we live, and more than 60% of convenience stores are single-store operators.

Tobacco and nicotine products account for a significant portion of convenience store sales, putting NACS squarely on the front lines of our issues. In 2024, the overall tobacco product category made up more than one quarter (27.5%) of in-store sales.

NACS has advocated for regulations that provide clarity so that its members can responsibly sell the products that its adult customers want to buy – this includes less harmful tobacco alternatives like vapes and pouches. Without that clarity, more sales will move to the unregulated illicit market and law-abiding retailers and their customers will suffer.

NACS has supported streamlined FDA authorizations for reduced-risk products via Premarket Tobacco Product Applications (PMTAs) and opposed heavy-handed regulations that would increase the problem of illicit sales.

NACS members are quick to adapt to changing consumer demands to succeed in a competitive environment. NACS members will benefit from more access to regulated products on the shelves. They also look to regulators for clear rules of the road and consistent enforcement so that everyone is operating under the same guidelines.

We’re thrilled to have NACS as part of our growing coalition and look forward to having their voice at the table during these upcoming policy debates.