NACS In Store Program Gets Second Presidential Participant
COLFAX, Iowa — Republican presidential candidates continue to make the rounds at convenience stores as part of their campaigns.
Candidate Carly Fiorina, former CEO of The Hewlett-Packard Co., became the second presidential hopeful to visit a c-store in January as part of the NACS In Store program. Fiorina spent time at the Kum & Go location at 1200 N. Walnut St. in Colfax on Jan. 26. West Des Moines, Iowa-based Kum & Go LC is the fifth-largest privately held and company-operated convenience store chain in the United States.
As CSNews previously reported, fellow Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz (R-Texas) visited a Casey’s General Store location in Manly, Iowa, on Jan. 8 as part of the NACS program.
During her-hour long visit to Kum & Go, Fiorina worked behind the counter of the store, interacted with members of the local community and had conversations with community members about issues important to them.
“Convenience stores are the anchor of communities across the country, and they are also where community conversations take place,” said Henry Armour, NACS president and CEO. “More than half of the country visits a convenience store on a daily basis, whether to buy fuel, use the ATM, wash their cars or quickly buy snacks, drinks or meals. The NACS In Store program gives elected officials a perfect opportunity to experience how these stores serve the public in their home districts.”
More than 30 NACS In Store events have been completed with members of Congress, letting them see firsthand the community experience that takes place at their local convenience stores. Both Democrats and Republicans have received invitations to participate in these events.
“We believe our elected officials will emerge with an even more intimate understanding not only of convenience stores’ challenges, but also of their many contributions across the economic, social and cultural spectrum,” Armour said. “And over time, convenience store owners and the customers and communities they serve should benefit from policies that spur further growth, prosperity and innovation in the sector.”
NACS, the Association for Convenience & Fuel Retailing, has 2,100 retail and 1,600 supplier member companies, which do business in nearly 50 countries.