Dave Hooker is the Executive Director of NZACS, the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores.
Mr Hooker spoke to C&I in anticipation for the 2019 C&I Expo New Zealand.
Born in Wellington New Zealand, Dave’s career began in oil and convenience in the late 80s with Mobil Oil in Wellington, and has taken him around the world. Dave is based in Auckland and runs his own retail consultancy and marketing company ‘Retailworx NZ Ltd alongside his wife Michele.
Dave was appointed two years ago as the first Executive Director of the New Zealand Association of Convenience Stores (NZACS).
The 80’s were a time of government regulation within the industry and there was little focus on the convenience shop offer.
“Post deregulation oil companies began to own and operate their own sites, fuel margins decreased and the convenience side of the business became an essential factor in profitable company and independent operations,” Dave said.
Convenience became Dave’s passion and he has spent the last 30 years working for Mobil NZ, Exxon Mobil Asia Pacific and BPNZ where he has helped develop store formats across NZ, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand & Guam.
“NZACS is excited to partner with C&I to bring the trade show for the first time to New Zealand,” Dave said.
“Many New Zealanders have travelled to Sydney and Melbourne over the years to the C&I shows so it will be great to have a show based here with NZ and Australian suppliers focusing solely on the NZ convenience market.
“Exhibitors interest is high and a number of retail groups are already targeting the show to anchor annual meetings and conferences around.
“We look forward to seeing a full and varied trade floor well supported by independent and organised retail groups. C&I are lining up some terrific pre-show speakers each day and we very much hope show delegates take advantage of this opportunity also,” Dave said.