CONVENIENCE INNOVATION CHALLENGE BIGGER AND BETTER IN 2014

January 15 2014
Following the resounding success of last year’s inaugural AACS / CCA Innovation Challenge, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has officially launched the initiative for 2014. The challenge promises to bigger and better this year with the AACS, in conjunction with Coca Cola Amatil (CCA), increasing the major prize from $2,000 to $10,000.
Students from 12 selected universities have been invited to participate in the 2014 AACS / CCA Innovation Challenge. While the major prize has increased to $10,000, second place will receive $2,500 and third will receive $1,000.
AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said it was a testament to the quality and innovation shown by participating university students in 2013 that has enabled the AACS to broaden the scope and increase the major prize this year.

2013 Winners: QUT – Dishmini Sriwardene/Madison Ure/Sheridan Ecclestone

And 2013 runners up: RMIT – Ryan McKeown/Christopher Anderson and DEAKIN – Will Weijers/Craig Thwaites/Tim Dettman/James Buzzard
“If last year’s challenge is anything to go by, we can expect some thoughtful and insightful presentations again in 2014,” Mr Rogut said.
“The need to focus on innovative ways for the convenience sector to position itself for tomorrow is ongoing and the challenge is a unique way for our industry to access the fresh, creative, unencumbered and innovative ideas of young people around the country.
“We are particularly grateful to Coca Cola Amatil, an innovative company in its own right, for partnering with the AACS in this innovative initiative. Our industry receives nothing in the way of government support, so we have to be innovative in how we seek new ideas but also allow students to engage with real industry questions – ‘from the classroom to the checkout.”
The brainchild of the AACS and enthusiastically supported by CCA, the challenge’s focus on innovation is designed to counter the challenges the convenience industry faces, such as increased power of the major supermarkets, rising labour and utility costs and the challenging conditions for retailers generally.
The importance of innovation
Convenience stores are a staple in Australian life. From the original corner shop and the suburban milk bar to the modern stores that operate 24/7, convenience stores are part of Australian culture and in some cases are the life support system of local communities.
But the industry continues to face challenges, Mr Rogut explains.
“The industry faces a host of challenges such as the buying power and aggressive pricing of the major supermarkets, competition from other retail formats, increasing government regulation on key product categories such as tobacco and the difficult environment for retailers generally,” Mr Rogut said.
“As an industry the need to innovate is critical to cement a bright future for convenience stores and the many people the industry employs. Central to this focus is the need to continue to provide consumers with choice and value in convenience shopping.
“Convenience stores are always open, so as an industry we are opening our doors to an innovative future.”
The AACS has identified innovation as one of its pillars for the future. Students participating in the 2014 AACS / CCA Innovation Challenge will not be inhibited or restricted in any way in terms of their presentations and ideas; in fact the AACS encourages new and different perspectives.
The challenge
Students participating in the 2014 AACS / CCA Innovation Challenge must respond to the following:
Identify current and emerging challenges for the industry and present innovative solutions, opportunities and strategies for convenience retailers and their suppliers to compete in this evolving environment that will deliver ongoing profitable sales growth for the channel. Use local as well as overseas examples and data in your response.
Each participating university will be responsible for selecting the best entries from participating students to be considered on the shortlist of finalists. The closing date for entries is 27 June 2014. The AACS will then assess the entries and determine the finalists who will be invited to present their ideas to industry professionals at a special function planned for September 2014.
“Innovation is the key, so the more innovative the idea and the submission, the better. We are encouraging students to not only think outside the box, but to reinvent it,” Mr Rogut said.
Prizes
Thanks to the support of the Innovation Challenge’s major sponsor, Coca Cola Amatil, the AACS is pleased to offer the following prizes for the submissions judged the best:
• 1st prize $10,000
• 2nd prize $2,500
• 3rd prize $1,000
Aside from the significant prizes available, students have the opportunity to directly engage with those at the forefront of the industry, potentially seeing their innovative ideas put into practise by retailers, suppliers and other convenience professionals.
2013 AACS / CCA Innovation Challenge recap
Last year, students from five universities across Victoria and Queensland participated in the challenge, applying a fresh perspective to consider how convenience stores might innovate for a bright future.
The winning presentation came from a team from the Queensland University of Technology which focused on the concept of “real convenience”, breaking this down into three areas of action: eShopping, a store front model and a stand alone model.
The team demonstrated how eShopping could enable stores to maximise convenience for their customers and engage them in a unique way, using Apps, QR codes and GPS tracking tools for integration and quick pick up to meet their needs for more efficient shopping.
They also showed how digital inventory management and a more tailored consumer experience could rejuvenate the stand alone store model, while an automated store front model could create a new revenue stream from existing under-utilised space.