YCM's State of the Industry Report comes at a crucial time for the convenience-gas industry. The contraband tobacco problem and increasing credit card fees remain big concerns along with retail consolidation, channel blurring and rising costs. But results from the Convenience U CARWACS Shows in Toronto and Calgary proved that retailers are willing to unite like never before and challenge the government to create solutions that work. Our May issue is a toolkit for retailers to learn new survival strategies in important new areas like foodservice. Read all the latest trends in our exciting new category reports plus learn how to keep up with the competition in Chain reaction.

Our third issue of 2010 is dedicated to the great people of the convenience retail industry. It is also our Trend Report issue where retailers can find all the newest information on their core categories and discover solutions and takeaways that can improve their business. Learn how independent retailers like Tommy and Joanne Perry, of Eugene's General Store in Tignish, PEI, and Ahmad Golan, of Mac's in Uxbridge, ON, have survived for years by developing strong connections in their communities and by adapting to the changing marketplace. These retailers have beaten the odds and come out on top. Read how the Perry's quick-thinking led to a successful drive-thru business in Island investment and how Golan barely escaped with his life during a recent trip to Afghanistan in Helping hands.

2010 marks an important year for car wash and petroleum operators. In six months, merchants and their acquirers whose systems aren't compliant to Europay, MasterCard, and Visa (EMV) will be held liable for fraud that takes place on chip-enabled cards at their sites. Operators are facing big challenges with time and costs to update their payment systems. Staff writer Michelle MacLeod expounds on this very important issue in The high price of security. Also read how multi-site operators like Nazir Umarji, of Lewis Estates Car Wash in Edmonton, Alberta, continue to build sites that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.