The American Petroleum and Convenience Store Association and the Strategic Alliance of Affiliated Store Owners of America have partnered to enhance resources, education, and advocacy for independent c-store operators, the companies announced on Monday.
The groups, which together represent more than 6,500 independent convenience stores, advocate for retailers to receive representation and support in legislative matters and industry developments. They also offer access to technology and other services at prices that smaller retailers can afford.
This partnership will offer members access to joint education programs, workshops and training; a platform for sharing operational insights and business strategies; and advocacy efforts meant to engage lawmakers and protect retailers from damaging regulations.
“Independent operators are the heart of their communities,” said Andy Chhikara, chairman of APCA. “Our partnership will enhance profitability and competitiveness against larger chains.”
This news comes a couple months after SAASOA made a deal to deploy InStore.ai’s technology at more than 5,200 member locations, along with implementation support, best-practice playbooks and access to insights built for leaders at various levels of their organization.
Small retailers and independents make up the bulk of the convenience store industry, with operators of 10 or fewer stores accounting for over 95,000 of the over 151,000 convenience stores in the country, according to NACS data. Combining into larger groups gives them more buying power than any one member would have alone.
“Together, we are stronger and more effective,” said Jigar Patel, founder and vice president of SAASOA. “Independent operators are the backbone of this industry.”
