Express Seminar 2019: Fueling Warfighters with Grab-and-Go Convenience
Throughout the week, Express managers will learn about the latest products from more than 100 vendors and trending categories, including BE FIT, performance beverages, craft beer and quick-serve restaurants.
Senior leaders and managers from around the world are gathering in Orlando this week for the annual Express seminar, learning techniques and tips for bringing grab-and-go convenience to Soldiers, Airmen and their families.
Eric Sidman, vice president, convenience channel, kicked off the seminar June 24.
“Growing the Express remains a priority for the Exchange,” Sidman said. “Our grab-and-go selection, quick-serve restaurant offerings and marketing are strong, drawing in shoppers who want to quickly refuel and recharge.”
Throughout the week, Express managers will learn about the latest products from more than 100 vendors and trending categories, including BE FIT, performance beverages, craft beer and quick-serve restaurants. Vendors include AquaHydrate, Stryve, Del Monte Fresh, Blount, Bang and more.
In 2018, the Exchange’s convenience and specialty business, including gas, represented 35% of the Exchange’s revenue, with more than $3 billion in sales.
“We have an exciting year ahead of us, and the Express teams are all in.”
-Eric Sidman, vice president,
convenience channel
Thriving BE FIT
BE FIT thrives at the Express.
Sales of BE FIT snacks increased $68.4 million from 2017 to 2018, up 8.17%. The Express assortment includes more than 450 items, identified as “healthier choices.”
More than 320 Expresses participate in the BE FIT endcap program.
The BE FIT section of ShopMyExchange.com’s community Hub strengthens promotions on better-for-you products at the Express and other Exchange businesses.
Social media, sales tabloids, gas station TV, BE FIT TV, quarterly Express signing and monthly movie theater slides keep BE FIT promotions at the forefront.
Promotions encourage monthly impulse items; grab-and-go convenience; buy more, save more; and cross merchandising to drive sales.
Growing quick-service restaurants
The convenience of quick-service restaurants in the Express is growing, too. At the end of 2018, nearly 50 quick-serve restaurants, including Hunt Brothers Pizza, J. Walken Chicken, Chopz and Austin Blues Bar-B-Que, generated more than $11 million in sales.
This year, 20 additional restaurants are planned, with $8 million in additional sales expected.
“Our Express stores are continually evolving to make sure Warfighters have what they need to stay ready and resilient,” Sidman said. “We have an exciting year ahead of us, and the Express teams are all in.”
The seminar runs through June 28, with Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith closing out the conference.
Keep up with the Express Seminar!
Associates can follow the excitement all week long on the Exchange’s associate-focused social media channels: Twitter and Instagram.
Don’t forget to visit the Flickr album!
