As part of the 2025 C&I Industry Leaders Forum, Theo Foukkare, CEO of Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), discusses his highlights from the year gone by and what he predicts for the next 12 months in convenience retail.
C&I: What have been the highlights for AACS and the convenience industry over the past 6–12 months?
Foukkare: The past year has shown just how resilient and innovative our industry is. Despite rising operational costs, regulatory and economic uncertainty, and retail crime pressure and illegal tobacco prevalence, our members have continued to grow, invest, and adapt. The launch of our illegal tobacco campaign was a major milestone – putting public pressure on governments and giving retailers a unified voice. We’ve also seen strong engagement and record numbers across all of our industry events, deeper collaboration between suppliers and retailers, and positive momentum in food and beverage innovation. And critically, we’ve elevated the role of convenience in the national conversation – from crime to community safety, to policy development, and the role of convenience.
C&I: What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2025?
Foukkare: My top priority is advocacy. We need urgent action from all levels of government on retail crime, illicit tobacco, vape regulation, and rising energy costs. These issues are impacting businesses and livelihoods daily. We’ll continue pushing for legislative reform, tougher penalties, and real support for retailers doing the right thing. Beyond that, we’re focused on supporting members to thrive through insights, connection, and capability building. That means more thought leadership, more networking opportunities, and working collectively to shape the future of convenience.
C&I: What are the most important topics the industry should be discussing in 2025?
Foukkare: We need to talk about what the customer of tomorrow expects — and how we deliver it, profitably and sustainably. That means discussing store formats, loyalty, frictionless payments, and wellness trends. At the same time, we can’t ignore the fundamentals: crime prevention, sensible regulation, labour challenges, and how we support independent operators to remain viable. We also need to be bold in pushing the government to support convenience retailers in the energy transition — particularly in how and where EV charging infrastructure is rolled out. Convenience should be central to that solution, not an afterthought.
C&I: What do you predict for convenience retailing in the year ahead?
Foukkare: We’ll see further growth in food for now, food-to-go and food for later, better-for-you snacking, and premium coffee – all driven by changing shopper habits. Convenience stores are now a destination, not just a stop-gap. I also expect a rapid shift toward more automated and tech-enabled operations. That includes smarter inventory systems, AI-powered pricing tools, and frictionless checkout options. Retailers that invest now in customer experience, innovation, and store design will pull ahead. But we’ll also need to be nimble — policy changes around tobacco and vaping will continue to create disruption, and we must be ready to respond quickly and with a united voice.
C&I: What do you enjoy most about what you do?
Foukkare: Without question — it’s the people. Our industry is full of passionate, hardworking, entrepreneurial people who care deeply about their businesses and their communities. I get to work with retailers, suppliers, and partners who inspire me every day. Whether it’s a family running a regional store or a major supplier launching something new, there’s always a story of grit and innovation behind it. Helping those stories get heard and advocating for the success of this industry is incredibly rewarding.
C&I: Are there any other messages you’d like to share with the industry?
Foukkare: I’d just say thank you. Thank you to our members for backing AACS, for showing up, and for standing together when it matters most. We don’t take your support for granted. And I’d encourage everyone — whether you’re a retailer, supplier or service provider — to lean in, get involved, and contribute to the future of our industry. There’s never been a more important time to have a strong, united voice representing convenience — and we’ll keep fighting every day to make sure that voice is heard loud and clear.
To read more insights from leaders within the P&C and independent grocery channels, check out the latest issue of Convenience and Impulse Retailing magazine.
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