NACS MagazineTurn Thought Leadership into Market Leadership
Position your brand alongside the industry’s most trusted editorial content in NACS Magazine.
NACS Magazine helps shape the polices and minds on Capitol Hill and shares insightful analysis and unbiased leadership in every issue. We don’t just report the news, we make the news.
NACS Magazine content is also available online at NACSMagazine.com where we average 4,750 visitors each month.
Editorial Calendar
2026 NACS Magazine Editorial Calendar (PDF)
January 2026
Trends for 2026
Ad Close: 11/24/25
Materials Due: 12/3/25
TREND WATCH
• Get to Know the New NACS CEO
• 2026 Trends
• Intoxicating Hemp Beverages
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Other Tobacco Products
February 2026
Foodservice Issue
Ad Close: 1/2/26
Materials Due: 1/9/26
TREND WATCH
• Cookies and Donuts
• AI in Foodservice
• Convenience Store Count
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• General Merchandise / Automotive
EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISTRIBUTION
• NACS Leadership Forum
March 2026
Top 100 Retailers
Ad Close: 1/29/26
Materials Due: 2/6/26
TREND WATCH
• Success as Independents
• AI in Foodservice
• Top 100 Retailers
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Cold Dispensed
EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISTRIBUTION
• NACS Day on the Hill
• NACS HR Forum
April 2026
Technology
Ad Close: 2/27/26
Materials Due: 3/10/26
AdLift™ Study, Signet Research Inc.
TREND WATCH
• Highlights from Conexxus
• Top POS trends
• AI for Store Security
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Beer (sidebar on wine and liquor)
EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISTRIBUTION
• NACS State of the Industry (SOI) Summit
May 2026
The Cold Vault
Ad Close: 3/30/26
Materials Due: 4/6/26
TREND WATCH
• Cooler Technology
• Functional Bevs
• Energy Drinks
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Packaged Beverages (Focus on IHB)
June 2026
NACS State of the Industry Exclusive Coverage
Ad Close: 5/1/26
Materials Due: 5/6/26
TREND WATCH
• SOI: Industry Overview
• SOI: Foodservice
• SOI: In-store merchandise Riders and Fallers
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Candy
July 2026
Foodservice (Summer)
Ad Close: 5/25/26
Materials Due: 6/3/26
TREND WATCH
• Trends at Coffee Bar
• Food Safety Forum
• Foodserivce Equipment for Small Kitchens
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Packaged Sweet Snacks
August 2026
NACS Show First Glimpse
Ad Close: 6/24/26
Materials Due: 7/6/26
AdProbeTM Action Study, Signet Research Inc.
TREND WATCH
• Industry Trends to Know
• Catering to EV Drivers
• Forecourt to In-Store Conversion
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• OTP
September 2026
NACS Show Preview
Ad Close: 7/29/26
Materials Due: 8/6/26
TREND WATCH
• NACS Show Education Sessions
• Loyalty Programs
• Car Wash
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Hot Dispensed
October 2026
NACS Show Issue
Ad Close: 8/21/26
Materials Due: 9/1/26
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Salty and Alternative Snacks
EXCLUSIVE BONUS DISTRIBUTION
• NACS Show (October 6-9, 2026; Las Vegas)
*the only magazine available on site at the Show
November 2026
Post NACS Show / Foodservice (Fall)
Ad Close: 10/9/26
Materials Due: 10/19/26
TREND WATCH
• NACS Show Top Takeaways
• NACS Show Expo Highlights
• NACS Show Education Sessions
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Frozen Dispensed
December 2026
Category Management
Ad Close: 10/30/26
Materials Due: 11/6/26
TREND WATCH
• Backbar Category Management
• Candy Category Management
• Packaged Beverages Category Management
CATEGORY CLOSE-UP
• Cigarettes
Other Opportunities in NACS Magazine
Cool New Products Guide
Get your product in front of retailers with purchasing power.
NACS Magazine Q&A
Your brand story, our influential audience.
NACS Magazine Sponsored Content
Position your company as a category leader.
On average, influential retailers spend 45 minutes reading each issue of NACS Magazine and 75% take action after seeing an ad.
Source: 2022 Readex Research NACS Magazine Reader Study
“NACS Magazine is my go-to publication for all current and relevant content on convenience retailing. The high-level coverage of the legislative issues our industry faces is most valuable; NACS has always made waves on Capitol Hill on behalf of its members, and it’s important for me to be part of that. NACS Magazine makes that easy for me.”
—Jared Scheeler, CEO, The Hub Convenience Stores