We’re just weeks away from one of the biggest events on the forecourt industry’s calendar The Forecourt Show 2015. There, you can catch up with the likes of BOSS, Car Wash UK, CFG Nationwide Site Services; CPL Distribution; Fairbanks Environmental, Fast Trak; Gadjet; Glasdon UK; Greenergy; Harvest Retail; Istobal UK; Jet; K9 Clean; Karcher UK; OPW; Pongo UK; Prax Petroleum; RMIF/PRA; Tate Business Group; Tokheim UK; Washtec (UK); and Wayne Fuelling Systems UK.

On show

Fairbanks (stand A79) will be telling visitors about Fuelstation365, its new management tool which combines five key areas of forecourt management: gauge; reconciliation; operation; logistics; and pricing.

Future Developments’ (stand C88) primary launch will be the Stayhold car boot companions that prevent articles sliding around in car boots and footwells, therefore helping to reduce spillages and breakages. The firm says the product will appeal to anyone who uses a vehicle to transport things like paint, tools, groceries, household goods or plants in the boot of their car. It works by gripping the carpet and acting as a barrier to stop things from sliding around and getting damaged while the car is in motion. Stayhold is easy to use you simply place it beside whatever you want to secure and press it down onto the carpet. It then stays in place until you remove it from the carpet using one of the handles. Then you can reposition it or stick it to the roof of the boot for storage.

Glasdon (stand C80) will have its new Advocate poster display sign an easy to use unit which is manufactured from tough, corrosion-resistant Durapo material, which requires minimal maintenance.

It has a large display area of 40" x 30" (1016mm x 762mm). Advocate is said to maximise visual impact, providing a cost-effective way to advertise. What is more, it has been tested to hurricane force it withstood speeds of up to 82mph and remained in position and undamaged.

Visit Greenergy (stand A71) to find out about the firm’s bespoke fuel supply packages. Its offer allows dealers the freedom to choose from a portfolio of brands including Esso, Nisa, ST1 or an existing own brand. Whichever brand you choose, Greenergy says you will benefit from its ability to provide the lowest-cost fuel with the highest-quality customer service. Its investment in storage and deep water import terminals means it can source, blend and manufacture its own fuel. Buying directly from the lowest-cost global suppliers allows it to keep costs low, while owning its own infrastructure gives it greater control over its supply chain and the ability to maintain continuous product availability.

Tokheim (stand C50) will be exhibiting its new mobile payment application. It’s described as a "safe and secure solution, which provides an outdoor cloud-based mobile payment in line with HSSE requirements". Tokheim says the system will benefit forecourt operators as well as end users thanks to improved speed of payment, reduced dispenser occupancy by 30% and enhanced customer loyalty.

The company will also be showing its new MagLink LX console; the latest addition to the Quantium pump range; and retailers can find out about Tokheim’s new unmanned tank lining solution.

Forecourt Gallery

Don’t miss the new Forecourt Gallery where you can see for yourself what makes the winners of the Forecourt Trader of the Year Awards so special. In the Gallery you’ll find a selection of original images showcasing these winners’ outstanding entrepreneurial skill, imagination and dedication to running a successful business.

The Best UK Forecourt Loo

Find out how the public voted as Forecourt Trader, in association with pump-top promotions specialist Fast Trak, announces the UK’s favourite forecourt convenience on Tuesday April 21 at 14.40. See which retailer wins the prestigious title, and takes away an iPad Mini as their prize.

And remember, there is still time to enter and to get your customers to vote. All you have to do is send us your nominations with relevant photography so that we can put your facilities online to face a public vote.

You will need to encourage your customers to ’like’ your loo. The site with the most ’likes’ subject to complying with the competition criteria will be named as Best UK Forecourt Loo 2015. The deadline for votes is Friday, April 10.

Access all areas

As usual, The Forecourt Show is right next door to the National Convenience Show. Also co-located is the Farm Shop & Deli Show. Although some of the products on offer there may be a little too niche for your customers, you might come away with some ideas to take back to your business.

The Forecourt Show runs from Monday 20 April through to Wednesday 22 April at the NEC, Birmingham in Hall 10. Opening times are 10am to 5pm on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21; and 10am to 4pm on Wednesday 22.

Make sure you register now at: www.forecourtshow.co.uk.

The 2015 Retailer Hub schedule includes:

Monday, April 20 11.30-12.00
Markus Hofmann, global category manager for food and coffee at Shell, will help you ’super charge’ your store. Hear his inspiring retail insights, pick up practical hints and tips and learn how to get closer to your customers.

Forecourt Market Report Monday April 20, 13.30-14.00
This is a must-attend event as industry experts will provide an update on the latest political, economic and consumer trends that are affecting the forecourt retailing sector. Hosted by Merril Boulton, editor, Forecourt Trader and including Brian Madderson, chairman, PRA; Blake Gladman, research director, him!; and Arthur Renshaw, UK & Ireland manager, Experian Catalist.

Chilled Champions Monday, April 20, 14.50-15.30
Join David Rees, editor of Convenience Store, plus a panel of top chilled suppliers for the lowdown on the range, traffic flow and industry best practice to make your store a destination for chilled food. It can be a tricky category to master, but our expert tips will help you cash in.

Fighting Forecourt Crime Tuesday April 21, 11.30-12.00
Fuel theft costs forecourt retailers more than £30m every year and this workshop will outline the types of criminal activity retailers experience.
Real life examples will help retailers spot fuel theft before it occurs and, when it does, show the best way to record and report incidents, tackle repeat offenders and how to recover monies owed.
Hosted by Kevin Eastwood, executive director, of the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS); with Alison Green, forecourt crime analyst, BOSS; Chris Hearn, ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers) Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service; and Carole Hughes, debt recovery services, BOSS.
On a Mission Tuesday, April 21, 12.50-13.20
To grow your business, you need to understand what drives customers into a store in the first place. With this in mind David Rees, editor of Convenience Store, joins convenience shopper experts him! and some successful independent retailers to share the latest insights on how consumers’ behaviour and expectations of their local stores is changing.

Price Yourself into the Market Tuesday, April 21, 13.30-14.00
What should you charge your customers for daily basic items? Which categories give you the opportunities to make more profit? What are the best promotions? And what role can price-marked packs play in your business?
These questions and more will be answered by our panel of experts on pricing and promotions, including leading retailers and suppliers, plus convenience shopper experts him!

Forecourts of the Future Tuesday April 21, 14.10-14.40
With forecourt development currently in overdrive, what kind of service stations are retailers building to drive future success for their businesses? Hosted by Merril Boulton, editor, Forecourt Trader with a panel of leading retailers including Forecourt Trader of the Year 2014 winner Mike Garner, of the Garner Group.

Best Forecourt Loo 2015 Tuesday, April 21, 14.40-14.50
See page 39 and left for full details.

Loving local Wednesday, April 22, 12.10-12.40
Customers have a growing appetite for local food so how can c-stores help satisfy it? Budgens retailer David Knight, an acknowledged expert on local sourcing, tells David Rees, editor of Convenience Store, how he has worked closely with local suppliers for mutual benefit.

This year’s Farm Shop & Deli Show will be the biggest yet with a 100% increase in exhibitors compared to 2014, which means more than 400 speciality food suppliers will be at the NEC later this month.
Exhibitors range from artisan jam makers, crisp producers and bakers through to soft drinks and tea manufacturers. They include established names as well as new companies looking to gain listings for their innovative and original food and drink products.
As well as the exhibitors, the show will also host the Farm Shop & Deli Live area where an exciting and comprehensive programme of demonstrations, live debates and tastings will be hosted. Farm Shop & Deli Live will also incorporate the Dragon’s Pantry and the announcement of the overall winner of the Farm Shop & Deli Awards 2015.