Time2 is targeting forecourt retailers with a new hand-recognition technology system designed to cut payroll costs.

Verco has installed bespoke versions of its Kingston open-chill cabinets at Welcome Break's Oxford and South Mimms servies.

Coffee Nation has launched the 2G Touch, its new 'intelligent' coffee machine.

Sainsbury’s and Tesco have reported surging sales – with Sainsbury also revealing ambitious expansion plans. In its First Quarter Trading Statement for 12 weeks to 13 June 2009, Sainsbury’s said total sales for the first quarter were up 3.2 per cent (7.6 per cent excluding fuel). There was also continued growth in customer numbers – the supermarket reported having over 18.5 million transactions each week. Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s said it aimed to raise approximately £445 million of capital to “accelerate growth plans” which included acquiring 15% more floor space by March 2011.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has called on the government to give all backbenchers a free vote on whether to introduce a display ban on tobacco. The Association said its

With crime costing the UK retail industry more than £3.5m a year, cash management company Loomis has urged retailers to be more vigilant with security.

Chevron has proudly put a classic race car from the 70s back on the race track through its Texaco brand. According to the oil giant, Texaco was originally involved with the Group One and Group Two Ford Capris from 1973 to 1976

With the British Grand Prix just days away, ExxonMobil is teaming up with Brawn GP to supply its fuel and Mobil 1 lubricants for the 2009 FIA Formula One season.

Committed Budgens retailer Jonathan James has been forced to convert his two forecourt stores in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, to Spar following public outrage at the opening of a third Budgens store in the centre of the town.

Following a successful store trial, Brobot Petroleum, the forecourt retailer with 21 sites in the East Midlands and Yorkshire, has confirmed Londis as its long-term retail partner, which is expected to achieve annual turnover of more than

ACS (the Association of Convenience Stores) has called for Ofgem to go further in tackling ‘bullying’ practices adopted by some energy companies against retailers.

Now we know why the country's in such a mess, MPs have been so busy fiddling their expenses they don't have their minds on the real game. For example when those hard-working chaps at the Association of Convenience Stores went to visit them recently about the dubiousness of the proposed tobacco display ban, they were probably more focused on whether their expenses had been signed - particularly the silver spoon cleaning and having the hedge trimmed into the shape of a peacock - and whether this cost could be fobbed off onto the taxpayer.

Two new brands have entered the UK forecourt market and are looking to recruit more independent retailers. The first

Total is claiming to be the first petrol retailer in the UK to offer its customers free breakdown cover, following the launch of its Total Assistance scheme last month. Launched on the basis that

Do you think the upgrading of drive-offs to a criminal offence will do anything to discourage such crimes in the future?

== Murco rebrands sites ==

Top 50 Indie Calanike Retail is rebranding nine BP sites to Esso, with two more sites - both Jet branded - following suit to Esso later in the year. Kenny Webster, managing director of Calanike, which has 19 sites, explained: "We are delighted to be joining forces

Sherlodge Garage at Lordswood near Chatham in Kent has been rebranded as a Harvest Energy site, replacing Pace.It is the first of many planned re-brands for 2009, according to a spokesman for

Jet teamed up with Royal Windsor Racecourse to treat all Armed Forces and NHS staff to a free night at the races last month. "Hosting the six-race event was a way for Jet to demonstrate to service personnel how much they are valued within their local communities," said Patrick Hudson, Jet's marketing manager, retail.

Customers at one of Shell's leading outlets in the East Midlands have been told it is now safe to use the forecourt after hundreds of people lost cash when their bank cards were cloned. Banks have been contacting motorists who used the Shell Trocadero forecourt, on

The British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) has unveiled its website at www.bossuk.org. The new site aims to provide BOSS's police and petrol retail partners with a comprehensive information resource as well as informing visitors about the campaigning work that BOSS undertakes in order to

On Monday June 22 three teams representing the oil industry will take part in a cricket tournament at Lord's, the home of cricket. Manufacturers, retailers and suppliers will do battle on

Shoppers continued to develop a healthy appetite for food-to-go on forecourts last year, helping to boost sales in the sector and cut retailers' reliance on tobacco sales.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The store is housed in a 'farm shop' style wooden cabin and the filling station shares the site with an outdoor clothing/camping shop that boldly promotes discount prices and seems to attract a

== Minimum Wage to rise ==

== We've got it all covered except for the rent ==

Up until a year ago, Palmer & Harvey (P&H) viewed itself as a very efficient traditional wholesaler and that was all - but now that's changed. P&H says it has enhanced its market-leading delivery capabilities by offering complete, tailored solutions for its retail partners - and those include many forecourts.

Buoyed by a glowing report in last month's Shop Doctor, Derek Lodge, chairman of Top 50 Indie Rusdene Services, invited me down to see this "marvellous" site in West Sussex, which was the subject of the article. Rusdene runs Gilhams Service Station in partnership with another Top 50 Indie, FW Kerridge. The

An industry-wide consultation, that will set the agenda for local shops into the next General Election and beyond, was announced by James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores, at last month's Summit '09 in Birmingham.

Once again Catalist is pleased to be able to provide Forecourt Trader with the UK summary for its Fuel Market Review 2009. The data shown in the following tables is from Catalist's latest release of its UK database in May for the first quarter of 2009.

Unfortunately the wheels have not come off the lumbering Health Bill and the tobacco display ban that features within it looks likely to go ahead. Last month the House of Lords defeated an amendment to remove the ban from the Bill by 204 votes to 110, and now the Bill will go to the House of Commons for consideration.

One in every three shoppers walking into a c-store has at least one child in their household. That's according to figures in Harris International Marketing (Him)'s Convenience Tracking Programme (CTP) 2009. And with suppliers increasingly catering for the kids' market, and parents keen to keep youngsters happy on car journeys, petrol retailers are ideally placed to make the most of this sector.

As the recession bites, more of us are trading down to cheaper own-label products. And the sector which has seen the most of this is household goods. That's according to the Recession Study March 2009, published by Harris International Marketing (Him), which found that 38% of people said they planned to buy more 'value' own-label products. And the top value item they said they were after was cleaning products.

Kärcher UK is introducing a number of initiatives including a revenue-sharing scheme, opening a chain of standalone car wash centres, and launching a new coin-operated jet wash.

Signwaves is celebrating 20 years in the sign and display industry with the introduction of a range of new products.

PayPoint and BP Retail have extended their exclusive agreement to provide mobile top-up and other services to BP forecourts.

Westomatic Vending Services is being relaunched with a series of customer-focused initiatives which it says are designed to improve customer service.

Heinz says it is hotting up the sauces category with the launch of Heinz Twisted Ketchup, its new spicy tomato ketchup range.

Snack bar company Nature Valley is inviting consumers to take a pause in their busy day with a brand new national TV campaign.

New Mikado is an ultra-thin crunchy biscuit stick covered with smooth milk chocolate, with one end left uncoated to make on-the-go eating even easier.

Accounting for over 41% of RTD volume in impulse (Nielsen Scantrak GB impulse RTD category MAT volume March 21, 2009), WKD says it is well-placed to maximise sales opportunities for forecourt retailers this summer.

Walkers launches a new promotion this summer called Gary's Great Trips.

The Wrigley Company is adding a new product this summer called Starburst Smoothies.

Coca-Cola Great Britain is aiming to capture "the essence of summer" with its new ad entitled Yeah Yeah Yeah La La La. It aims to inspire people to say 'yes' to the opportunities summer brings with an ad featuring an exclusive track written and produced by Calvin Harris.

Snack a Jacks has launched two new flavours: berry and sweet chilli targeting consumers who want healthier snacks.

Whitworths is launching a new range of healthier, indulgent fruit, nut and chocolate mixes on to the market.

Diageo GB has launched an updated format for its Raise Your Spirits initiative aimed at boosting growth across the spirits category.

UK distributor Randstad has launched a range of breakdown and emergency kits for drivers.

Voltz Distribution UK has secured the rights to distribute the Voltz 5 hour energy shot. The drink is described as a healthy alternative to the usual energy shots - it is made up of a combination of B vitamins, amino acid and anti-oxidants.

Kinder Surprise has teamed up with the new film Ice Age 3: Dawn of the Dinosaurs for a promotion this summer.

Girls Aloud helped launch Nestlé Confectionery's Kit Kat Fashion Break on-pack promotion last month. It gives consumers the chance to win £1,000 cash as well as shopping vouchers.

Britvic and PepsiCo have launched a new TV and press campaign for Gatorade. It will encourage shoppers to get active with its 'We Love Sweat' campaign.

Cadbury has introduced a new pack design for its Dairy Milk Buttons. It is also investing in a 'Buttons Fun on the Farm' campaign which offers free family events nationwide.

Vimto launches a new campaign this month built around its mixed fruit taste. The £5m relaunch has the strapline "Seriously Mixed Up Fruit" and targets the teen audience.

An interesting thing happened the other day. We won a court case. To be honest I wasn't surprised. This was one of those 'slips, trips and falls' claims beloved of those wonderful, ambulance-chasing solicitors.

Write your name, address and phone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want – Heinz, Mikado, Nature Valley or WKD – 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 June 30.

Spring Petroleum has become the first retailer to install Dresser Wayne's Global Ovation fuel pump.

The Ladder Association has published a book to promote safety and best practice. The free 12-page A5 publication is intended to be a handy reference for use in the office or on site. The LadderBook champions the ladder as an invaluable piece of workplace equipment, taking as its theme: 'if it's right to use a ladder, use the right ladder and get trained to use it safely'.

Moto Hospitality has signed up with Virgin Radio to provide its 48 outlets across the UK with a dedicated radio stream.

A new handbook aims to help retailers deal with red tape relating to issues like health & safety, fire and food safety.