Insight and NACS are delighted to bring you the fourth edition of Global Convenience Store Focus and the first issue in 2009.

As retailers begin falling like flies, it is no wonder Verdict Research advises stores to brace themselves for one of the worst years on record.

Gloomy reading but it is the darkness before the dawn. As this issue highlights, there are reasons for optimism in global convenience retailing. In Ireland, for example, Petrogas is expanding its Applegreen format, reaping the rewards of a discount fuel and fresh food offer. Elsewhere, an expert on petrol station design says convenience retailers can benefit from developing a local food offering. In the UK, Waitrose is venturing into small store territory – take a look around its first c-store in in our exclusive video footage. Across the pond, Whole Foods Market is honing the latest foodie trends – all pointers for the future. Scott Annan takes us on the second leg of his convenience store journey and is impressed by stores in the Far East and California. Back in Europe, France is picked as a ripe market for smaller store expansion.

Embracing the New Year has never been so convenient.

PS: If you want to keep ahead of the game, hear the latest consumer trends and ideas to cut costs and improve your ROI, attend the Global Convenience Benchmarks event in Dublin. Register before 15 January 2009 and benefit from a 15% discount.