General Session: Lessons from the Convenience Store Industry: How Independent LBM Dealers Can Compete & Win Against Industry Giants

Independent lumber and building materials dealers are navigating an increasingly competitive and consolidated marketplace. However, they are not alone. The convenience store industry, with over 152,000 stores in the U.S., has long faced similar challenges—competing with industry giants, overcoming supply chain disruptions, managing labor shortages, and striving for attention from key vendors.

Despite these obstacles, 60% of convenience stores remain single-store operators, proving that small businesses can not only survive but also thrive against national and global chains.

Join Don Longo, Editorial Emeritus of Convenience Store News, as he shares insights from CSN’s annual State of the Small Operators report and explores how independent c-store operators continue to stay relevant and competitive.

Keynote Speaker: