Members of the Car Wash Campaign Group (CWCG) are urging retailers to learn more about how to stamp out unregulated car washes by attending an open meeting being held at this month's International Forecourt & Fuel Equipment (IFFE) show. The event has been organised to raise awareness of

Have you got what it takes to be the Forecourt Trader of the Year 2008? If you're running a successful forecourt site it could be you but, as they say, you've got to be in it to win it so make sure you enter today. All you need to do is fill in a form and send in some photographs. There are lots of different forecourt categories, from rural to main route, and oil company owned to

Top independent Graham Peacock once again heads the Top 50 Indies listing - a countdown of the biggest independent fuel retailers. His companies, Malthurst (UK) Ltd and Refined Holdings (GB) - of which Pace Petroleum is a part - have become wholly-owned subsidiaries of holding company MRH (GB) Ltd. More details of the restructure and other information on the

Twelve members of two gangs involved in garage credit card scams have been jailed for a total of more than 50 years.

Cleaning equipment company Karcher has reinforced its commitment to the UK car wash market by buying Atlantis International. Karcher UK managing director Simon Keeping commented:

Government proposals to ban the open display of cigarettes in shops would lead to "considerable operational and equipment costs" according to the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS).

Forecourt network specialist Catalist has decided to change its name to Experian Catalist following its acquisition by the information, analytical and marketing services company Experian last year. For more details on the changes, as well as the company's new logo, visit [http://www.catalist.com]

A packed issue greets you this month - the end of a busy month for us and the start of a busy month for everyone attending the International Forecourt and Fuel Equipment exhibition which kicks off on Sunday, April 6 and runs for four days.

Do you feel that the government has rushed through the introduction of biofuels with the RTFO?

The Car Wash Campaign Group (CWCG) is urging retailers to contact their MPs regarding an Early Day Motion (EDM) tabled on the group's behalf.

Following the announcement that Somerfield is up for sale, I wanted to see what any potential buyer might get for its money, so I selected a recently-opened Somerfield forecourt store on the A31 immediately west of Ringwood, on the Hampshire/Dorset border.

There is a common tendency when business people of any ilk get together to stress their devotion to the big ideas - their marketing skills, their people skills, and their cleverness in spotting the next big opportunity and having the courage to take a gamble on it. That's the essence of capitalism and it has been the driver of economic success for centuries.

== Get group backing ==

The popularity of independent dealers with fuel suppliers has fluctuated over the years - depending on the market and the activities of the major oil companies - but currently they are certainly of great interest to Esso, following the arrival of Karen Dickens last September as executive director, fuels marketing UK & Ireland.

Keith Mowbray is one of the old school petrol retailers. Modern technology may have changed the industry almost beyond recognition since he first started selling fuel, but Keith doesn't believe in mobile phones, the internet or email. Walking into his office at his site is a bit like stepping back in time

So you think you're a top retailer? Then get your pens and cameras out now and start filling in the forms and taking the pictures that will put you in the running for the top award in the petrol retailing industry - Forecourt Trader of the Year.

For most consumers, summer is the season for ice cream, and David Taylor, sales and marketing director at Frederick's Dairies, reckons it's more about sunshine than temperature. "My theory - though it's not a scientific one - is that more than three days of constant sunshine means sales of ice creams will rise."

Who can forget last summer? It was grim enough for most of us, but even more so for the thousands of people who suffered as a result of the floods. According to the Met Office, the main feature of summer 2007 was the "high rainfall experienced in many regions especially during June and July". You can say that again, as it was the wettest summer for the whole of the UK since the Office's rainfall series data began in 1914.

THis year's events will run from Sunday April 6 to Wednesday April 9 and there'll be plenty to get your teeth into, including the best company exhibits, the latest product and industry news, top expert business advice and unique networking opportunities.

If, after IFFE and CRS, you haven't had enough of looking around shows -- there's always Palmer & Harvey's Pro- Retail Exhibition, which runs from April 29 to May 1 at the international Centre, Telford in Shropshire.

Cadbury Trebor Bassett (CTB) has revealed a new look for Dairy Milk.

Ginsters is launching a three-strong range of premium ready meals. The three varieties are beef & peppered dumplings, pasta bolognese and chicken tikka & rice, all with a rrp of £2.99.

Rollover is launching the PizzaCone - a fun snack that comprises a crispy cone containing the taste and flavour of a pizza.

Pepsico is investing £2.5m in a new promotion for Doritos aimed at harnessing shoppers' creative talent. The 'You Make it, We Play It' promotion asks consumers to make and select the next Doritos TV ad, showing how people find play and fun in everyday situations.

Kraft Foods is putting some heavy investment behind a flurry of launches and revamps aimed at making its range more c-store friendly.

Budweiser's new marketing strategy aims to

Persil is launching a new range which is designed to give clothes a 'just-washed freshness' that lasts for longer.

Mars is giving away 100,000 footballs as part of a new campaign aimed at encouraging the nation to get back on the pitch.

Tropicana is showing its 'Spirit' by giving retailers the chance to win three cases of each of its new exotic sparkling soft drinks.

Spring 2008 sees the launch of two genuinely innovative and exciting pieces of NPD from the Pringles brand.

Jakemans is investing in a trade and consumer campaign to increase awareness and drive sales after celebrating becoming one of Britain's few centenarian brands.

Mission Foods is strengthening its successful Deli brand with the launch of new Mission Deli Naans and Mission Deli Pittas.

To claim your Giveaway, simply write your name, address and telephone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want - Tropicana, Pringles, Jakemans or Mission Foods - 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 April 30.

Retailers who signed up to the new gift card service launched by payment collection network PayPoint last November have seen a good response from customers, plus they've boosted their own profitability, according to the company's retail director Mike Igoe (pictured right).

Verco is launching a new generation of its open-chill Cambridge which is fitted with the latest rotary scroll compressors and features a low-front design of 410mm.

I suppose I shouldn't really have been that surprised. I mean, there had been some indications over the past few years - a little phrase here, a little inaction there, but even so when it finally came I found it sadly staggering. What I'm talking about is the official, public announcement that as far as this government is concerned small retailers are of no significance. We don't matter. In the grand scheme of things we are expendable. If we chose to be small independent retailers then that's our choice and we have to accept the consequences. Don't come whingeing, don't expect any help. In fact about the only thing a small retailer can expect from No 10 these days is more red tape and more taxes.