Core Viewpoint - The annual convenience store conference serves as a significant gathering for industry professionals, summarizing the past year's developments and forecasting future trends in the convenience store sector [3][5]. Group 1: Conference Themes Over the Years - The conference themes from 2015 to 2024 reflect the evolution of the convenience store industry, transitioning from market exploration to standardization and localization, and finally to digitalization and sustainable ecosystems [4][14]. - The themes from 2015 to 2017 focused on early exploration, emphasizing market potential and transformation distinct from traditional supermarkets [7][8][10]. - The themes from 2018 to 2020 highlighted the entry into a new era for convenience stores, stressing standardization, localization, and foundational improvements [11][12][14]. - The themes from 2021 to 2024 emphasize development, digitalization, and the creation of an ecosystem to meet consumer needs, showcasing the industry's maturity [14][28]. Group 2: Competitive Landscape - The competitive landscape for convenience stores has shifted from traditional competitors to cross-industry challenges, including snack stores, discount stores, and delivery platforms, which threaten the core value of "convenience" [5][15][17]. - The rise of discount stores and online delivery services has eroded the traditional advantages of convenience stores, necessitating a reevaluation of their value propositions [17][18]. - The retail wheel theory suggests that convenience stores must innovate and differentiate themselves to survive in a rapidly changing competitive environment [19]. Group 3: Strategic Responses - Convenience stores are adopting a long-term customer strategy, transitioning from membership to subscription models, focusing on creating value that encourages customer loyalty [23][24]. - The integration of diverse services and products in convenience stores is becoming a trend, with stores evolving into community hubs to meet local needs and counteract competition [27][28]. - Successful convenience store operators are demonstrating adaptability and innovation in response to market changes, emphasizing the importance of understanding consumer behavior and leveraging technology [28][29].