Despite their collective power, though, single-store owners and small chains often struggle to get equal attention from the industry’s suppliers and distributors, and they must work harder than large operators to shield themselves from the impact of national economic issues, increasing operational costs, and difficulties around labour hiring and retention. 

To help the industry's single-store owners and small operators elevate their business, Convenience Store News Canada introduces the Outstanding Independents Canada Summit. All convenience store retailers operating one to 20 stores in Canada are eligible to attend this free virtual event in May. 

The agenda will tackle today's biggest pain points for small operators, and provide valuable insights, expert advice and actionable knowledge that retailers can immediately implement to upgrade their operations.

The Summit will culminate in the presentation of the first-ever Outstanding Independents Awards Canada, created to recognize single-store owners and small operators across Canada who are standing out and serving their communities well.