The Future of Convenience

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

Live from NRF '26, leaders from Vontier, Vusion, and VenHub explore how AI, automation, and connected store technology are reshaping convenience retail. From dynamic pricing and computer vision to robotics and frictionless shopping, the conversation focuses on practical solutions that improve operations and customer experience today.

With special guests:
Tarang Sethia, Executive Vice President, Product & Technology VenHub, Roy Horgan, Group SEVP Strategy, Marketing & Communications, Vusion Group, and Elaine Kanak, CMO, Vontier

Hosted by:
Dan Munford

Convenience food is having a moment, and not the microwaved, mystery‑ingredient kind. From robotic kitchens to AI-powered vending machines, three industry trailblazers say we’re entering a new era where speed, quality, and authenticity finally sit at the same table. Dan Munford is joined by co-host Harry Milloff and speak with Jesper Østergaard, CEO of Reitan Convenience Denmark (7‑Eleven) and food innovator Jane Carroll, better known online as Jane Foodie.

Watch the video version of this special episode: https://www.globalconvenience.com/features/the-future-of-food-in-convenience-robotics-real-food-and-the-race-for-relevance/

With special guests:
Jesper Østergaard, CEO of Reitan Convenience Denmark (7‑Eleven) and food innovator Jane Carroll, better known online as Jane Foodie

Hosted by:
Dan Munford and Harry Milloff