TOREX RETAIL has acquired Flexiline Forecourt Services Ltd in a deal worth £2.1m. Flexiline specialises in the installation and servicing of forecourt equipment and will become part of Torex’s expanding petroleum and convenience division. Rob Loosemore, executive chairman of Torex, said: “The acquisition will add depth to our service offering in the retail petroleum sector. Over the next few years there will be increased development and refurbishment activity on forecourts with the introduction of new fuels, environmental protection legislation and the addition of outdoor payment terminals. We will now be better placed to take advantage of this.”

SAINSBURY’S strong petrol sales have led to a like-for-like sales growth of 2.4% for the supermarket’s third quarter. Chief executive Justin King said the sales performance was in line with Sainsbury’s plans and was a good first step in delivering its sales-led recovery.

THE ASSOCIATION OF CONVENIENCE STORES has urged retailers to adopt the ‘No ID No Sale’ policy as standard, as the latest government figures reveal that underage purchases are still far too high.

In a three-week Christmas blitz, police carried out test purchases and found that 32% of off licences and the same proportion of bars and clubs sold alcohol to under 18s.

ALMOST TWO THIRDS (61%) of business owners are relying on their business to provide at least half of their retirement funds, according to research from accountants and advisers MacIntyre Hudson.