MPs are taking action to make retailers drop their pump prices to match the recent decline

Allan Henry who runs the John Henry service station in Dalmuir, Clydebank, is selling petrol for 125.9ppl and diesel for 131.9ppl. His prices are so high they were featured in the local Clydebank Post newspaper.

Petrol retailers are facing the threat of legal action by appointing inexperienced contractors with inadequate training and little industry knowledge, warns Steve Martin, managing director of sign installation specialist Xmo Strata. "With ever changing legislation, dealers need to

Sales of 'green' cars are expected to overtake 'gas guzzlers' for the first time this year, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) says it has seen "very encouraging" results from a trial it has been running in Hertfordshire where it acts as the middle-man between retailers and police. The trial, which started in April, is a version

A Moto service station is to become a gateway to Britain's National Forest.

Consumers are drinking soft drinks more regularly - so says a new report from Datamonitor. It states that UK consumers had 2.3 'soft drink occasions' per person in 2006, but this is expected to reach 2.9 occasions by 2009. Matthew Jones, consumer market analyst and author of the report, explained: "Greater knowledge on the importance of hydration, maintaining a healthy diet and an awareness of nutritional needs, together with a growth in scepticism towards sugared carbonates, are all contributing to a dynamic soft drinks market."

Castrol has signed a channel partner contract with Convenience Distribution Group aimed at improving delivery of products to forecourts nationwide. Convenience Distribution Group has 12 distribution centres around the UK, and Castrol said the deal would offer retailers benefits such as smaller minimum order quantities and faster delivery.

With many stock-outs reported in the south over the Christmas period, how concerned are you about the quality of service from your fuel supplier?

MPs taking action to make fuel retailers cut their pump prices? How ridiculously cheeky - and ignorant. It would also be extremely laughable (it's not April 1st is it?) if not for the sobering thought that these nitwits have a hand in running the affairs of the country.

Biofuels have hardly been out of the news recently, and just about everyone seems to have an opinion on whether they are our friend or our foe. One of the many groups joining the debate this month was The Royal Society - an independent academy promoting natural and applied sciences - which issued a warning at a conference it held in London on January 14.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The small village of Birdham is the location of one of the Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies 2007 sites, Rusdene Services. It is a Total forecourt with a Smile-branded shop.

We've raised the subject of rising credit card costs on forecourts so often that it's almost embarrassing to do so again. Unfortunately with the almost weekly increase in pump prices the issue becomes ever more pressing. So the question is: can the retail petroleum industry still afford to sell its main product under the existing rules of the credit card game?

== Internet threat ==

A bigger presence in petrol retailing and on-site convenience stores is at the heart of a continuing strategy of growth and consolidation announced last month by Dennis Woods, chief executive of Petrol Express, part of the GNE Group plc.

Michael Johnston has been running the busy Euro Spar, Castle Wellan site in County Down, Northern Ireland for about three years.

Rising fuel prices can cause headaches for retailers, not least because they make forecourts a more attractive target for crime.

The fact that Tesco is trialling Starbucks concessions in some of its stores is testament to the power of branded coffee. Tesco does everything from basic coffee to its Finest range yet it views Starbucks as the brand that will bring customers in.

With most forecourts now focusing on the shop side of their business and on categories like chilled foods, it's easy to overlook non-food items. However, many operators can testify to the success of non-food promotions. These are the things often promoted on the top of petrol pumps offering maps or torches or candles at knockdown prices when you spend so much on fuel. You might be asking yourself who buys such things? And the answer is, loads of people. Asif Ayub, sales director of Fast Trak, says they are great impulse purchases. "We offer everything from high-tech gadgets such as wireless headphones to mugs for mass appeal. I can't really pinpoint a target audience because our products appeal to everyone. For instance we sold shaver sets and hair clippers which we thought would appeal to men. And yes they did, but we also sold clippers to a lady in Wales to use on her horse!"

Dresser Wayne, the retail fuelling business of US manufacturer Dresser, Inc, has launched a new high-tech petrol pump with integrated multi-media display.

Avery Berkel has launched a range of counter service scales aimed at smaller independent retailers.

Lincat has added two powerful new fryers with built-in oil filtration to its heavy duty Opus 700 cooking equipment range. The new products are designed to save money by extending the life of cooking oil by up to 50%.

Coca-Cola is going back to its roots with a new packaging design across its entire range.

Walkers is launching a multi-million pound Home Grown marketing initiative aimed at encouraging customers to celebrate Britishness..

Thorntons individual ice cream luxury sticks are coming onto the market this month.

Tetrosyl is launching a new range of car care products designed for customers who want to touch up their vehicle's paintwork in one easy application.

Nestlé Rowntree is kicking off its biggest ever KitKat launch this month, with a £9m media campaign to support the introduction of KitKat Senses.

This year's continuing Evian Detox campaign is being supported by an increased marketing spend of £1.5m.

CarPlan has launched what it claims is the first eco-friendly range of car care products available from a leading car care brand in the UK automotive market.

R&R is launching a stack of products this month which are aimed at the impulse summer ice cream sector.

To claim your Giveaway, simply write your name, address and telephone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want - The Fabulous Bakin' Boys, Coca Cola, Evian or Gillette - and we'll do the rest, including delivery. Send it to us at Forecourt Trader, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT, by February 29.

Stay hydrated during spring with The Juice Doctor, which is giving away three cases of its Hydration Fix drinks to five Forecourt Trader readers.

Britvic is relaunching its PJ's Smoothies brand with lower price points and a focus on four key flavours in a bid to attract new consumers to the category.

Werther's Original is launching a sugar free variant, and is giving readers the chance to win £50-worth of product. Four prizes are available.

Premier Foods has kicked off a £3m marketing campaign for Batchelors Soupfulls - its new range of filling, wholesome soups.

Unusual name, Jerome. The only time I had come across it before was when it took two Jeromes to get three men up a river in a boat. Presumably thanks to the marvels of modern technology, it now takes just one Jerome to get one bank £3bn up the creek without a paddle! Of course, he would say that if the bank had held its nerve its loss would only have been £1.3bn instead of £3bn.