As we enter 2022, the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has updated their common categories for c-stores to reflect changes in customer behaviors and habits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. These new categories are important for benchmarking industry performance, providing clarification through common language and simplified terminology and capturing innovation and transitions in the industry.
For a full guide to the new category mapping put forth by NACS, see this PDF listing all subcategories and new changes. Highlights of the document include the following significant changes and additions, as stated by NACS (new subcategories underlined, deletions and name changes italicized):
Fuel
- E15 and Renewable Diesel are new subcategories listed under Fuel Products
Beer/Wine/Liquor
- Popular Beer will be dissolved as a subcategory, replaced with Alcoholic Cider. Items previously in Popular should be mapped to either Premium Plus/Super Premium or Budget/Value
- Alcoholic Seltzer is a new subcategory in Beer
- Cheladas is a new subcategory in Beer
- Other Beer is a new subcategory in Beer
- Ready-to-Drink Cocktails is a new subcategory in Liquor
Packaged Beverages
- Ready-to-Drink Coffee is a new subcategory in Packaged Beverages
Candy
- Candy Rolls/Mints/Drops will be renamed Breath Mints
- Novelties/Seasonal Candy will be renamed Novelties
- Change Makers/Penny Counter Goods will be renamed Changes Makers/Penny Counter Goods/Bulk Candy
- Bulk Candy will be dissolved as a subcategory and replaced with Seasonal Candy. Items previously in Bulk Candy should be mapped to Change Makers/Penny Counter Goods/Bulk Candy
- Other Candy is a new subcategory in Candy
Commissary
- Bakery is a new subcategory in Commissary
Packaged Ice Cream
- Premium Ice Cream will be renamed Bulk Ice Cream
- Ice Cream will be renamed Single-Serve Ice Cream
- Other Packaged Ice Cream is a new subcategory in Packaged Ice Cream
Packaged Sweet Snacks
- Other Packaged Sweet Snacks is a new subcategory in Packaged Sweet Snacks
Health & Beauty Care
- Feminine Hygiene will be renamed Personal Hygiene
General Merchandise
- Trading Cards subcategory will be dissolved as a subcategory and replaced with Personal Protective Equipment. Items previously in Trading Cards should be mapped to Other General Merchandise. The Personal Protective Equipment subcategory will include gloves, masks and other wearable protective products (not hand sanitizer)
Reference: https://www.convenience.org/Research/NACS-Category-Definitions-Number-Guide
