The Future of Convenience

DMALL in China is redefining how technology powers retail, from AI-driven pricing to unified commerce platforms. DMALL CEO Marcus Spurrell explores how agentic commerce, real-time data and digital ecosystems are transforming the retail landscape with hosts Martin Bailie, founder and CEO of MWB Advising, and Carolyn Schnare. Find out what Western retailers can learn from China’s rapid pace of innovation.

With special guest:
Marcus Spurrell, CEO, DMALL

Hosted by:
Carolyn Schnare and Martin Bailie

Related Links:
See Wumart and DMALL's entry profile in the Insight 'Smartest Store in the World:' competition https://www.globalconvenience.com/smart/entries/wumart-xueqing-road-store-beijing-china/

Recorded live at the AACS Connect 26 Summit in Sydney, host Dan Munford is joined by Brett Barclay, director at CMA. Hear the latest data shaping Australia’s convenience channel from tobacco disruption and beverage growth to emerging impacts from GLP-1 and shifting consumer spend, Barclay offers a clear view of the pressures and opportunities ahead.

With special guest:
Brett Barclay, Director, CMA

Hosted by:
Dan Munford

India’s New Shop convenience chain is building a modern convenience retail network in one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. Co-Founders Aastha Almast and Mani Dev Gyawali discuss how technology, franchising, and local entrepreneurship are helping reshape India’s retail landscape and how their custom tech stack and AI-driven tools are enabling rapid expansion across the country.

With special guests:
Aastha Almast and Mani Dev Gyawali, Co-Founders, New Shop

Hosted by:
Carolyn Schnare and Dan Munford

Related Link:
Global Convenience article "A new era for Indian convenience: the tech-smart rise of New Shop" - https://www.globalconvenience.com/features/new-shop-india

AI is moving from experimentation to execution in convenience retail. Recorded live at NRF 2026, Doug Haugh, former Parkland executive and chairman of NewTide.ai, and Jeff Rubin, senior vice president of fuels at Upside, explain how operators can use intelligent automation to tackle labor challenges, improve store performance, and compete in a flat fuel market.

With special guests:
Doug Haugh, Chairman, NewTide.ai and Jeff Rubin, Sr. Vice President - Fuels, Upside

Hosted by:
Dan Munford

Chestnut Market is leveraging technology to elevate both speed and service across its growing Northeast footprint. CEO Ryan Oettinger, Director of Operations Faheem Jamal, and DeliGo’s CEO Istvan Haidekker discuss how automation can reduce friction, minimize shrink and free up associates to focus on the customer.

With special guests:
Faheem Jamal, Director of C-Store Operations, Chestnut Market and Istvan Haidekker, Co-Founder and CEO, Deligo Vision Technologies

Hosted by:
Dan Munford and Ryan Oettinger, CEO, Chestnut Market