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Analysis
COMMENT: As the PRA welcomes supermarket membership - how times have changed!
Time was when the mere mention of the term ‘supermarket’ - or ‘hypers’ as they were unaffectionately referred to by many - would spark an eye-rolling, frothing rage among long-suffering fuel retailers.
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Analysis
SHOP TALK: When the computer says no!
The availability of Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology at Gridserve’s new Gatwick site got me thinking about how you were all getting on with your self-checkouts. Are they saving your staff time and you money?
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Analysis
SERVICE CENTRE: How was it for you?
I’m talking Christmas trading here. In general it is meant to be busy but also prime time for shoplifters/drive-offs. There has also been a lot of talk about belt-tightening in response to the cost-of-living crisis, so I did a spot of canvassing to see what some of you had to say on the subject.
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Analysis
MONEY TALK: January blues
It’s the first month of the year - supposed to be the month of fresh starts, new resolutions and opportunities, and brightening days. So why do so many people dread January?
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Analysis
Looking back at 2023
This past year has been another eventful one for the forecourt sector. Against a backdrop of rising costs, increased crime and more EV vehicles on the roads, retailers have had to work harder than ever to remain relevant
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Analysis
SERVICE CENTRE: An account on stop is grinding everything to a halt
Tom Dant, managing director of Gill Marsh Forecourts with three service stations in Lincolnshire, copied me in on an email trail with TSG.
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Analysis
MONEY TALK: Another ‘Autumn Statement’
Just so that we all remember (after all, there seem to have been so many in recent years) the latest/current Chancellor is still Jeremy Hunt, and he delivered his government’s latest Autumn Statement (also known as a ‘mini-Budget’) on November 22.
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Analysis
PITSTOP: Forfar Services, Longlevens, Forfar
Our mystery motorist on a mission visits Park Forfar
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Analysis
SERVICE CENTRE: When is redundancy not redundancy?
There are quite a few things to consider when it comes to making someone redundant. Raj Patel emailed from the East Midlands to say that his business had been hit lately and he wanted to lay off at least one member of staff, possibly two.
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Analysis
MONEY TALK: The prognosis is not good
Amidst the ongoing humanitarian horrors of the war in Ukraine, and now the re-ignited situation in the Middle East, it may seem callous just to discuss the effect of those conflicts on oil prices.
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Analysis
COMMENT: Filling time - early adopters of EV infrastructure have ‘first mover’ advantage
Since we put one of the very first EV charging points in the ground in the UK more than 13 years ago, the motor industry has debated the future role of petrol station forecourts in supporting the future EV revolution.
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Analysis
COMMENT: Policy flip flops on EVs add to ‘wait and see’ approach of most forecourt operators
The Prime Minister recently announced the movement out from 2030 to 2035 of the requirement for all new vehicles sold to be zero emission vehicles (ZEV). Only 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans will be required to be ZEV by 2030.
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SERVICE CENTRE: Crime - a constant theme these days
Crime on forecourts – both outside at the pumps and inside the store – isn’t going to go away any time soon.
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MONEY TALK: Investment projects always carry risks
There has been a great deal talked and written recently about investment projects - particularly in light of the government’s decision on what to do with the partially-built HS2 rail project on which they have already spent over £70bn.
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Analysis
PITSTOP: Jet Beacon Garage
Our mystery motorist on a mission visits Jet Beacon Garage at Catterick Garrison, north Yorkshire
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Analysis
SERVICE CENTRE: Is crime going up on your forecourt?
Shoplifting, drive offs…they are both ‘enjoying’ a good rush currently. I was speaking to Jon Brownsey who runs Fordingbridge Service Station in Hampshire.
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MONEY TALK: Retail struggles – adapt or become extinct
There’s an awful sense of déjà vuwhile watching the current death-throes of yet another large, well-known high street retail chain.
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ANALYSIS: Government commitment to EVs in need of recharging
New uncertainty about the government’s commitment to banning diesel and petrol cars and vans by 2030 is unsettling the EV charging sector. John Wood reports
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Analysis
PITSTOP: McCullagh’s Classic Service Station
Our mystery motorist on a mission visits McCullagh’s Classic Service Station
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Analysis
SERVICE CENTRE: Striking a bum note
This will be the second time I’ve reported on Ian Beaumont’s problem with NoteMachine. He runs Junction 37 Filling Station in Howden, East Yorkshire. His business, J Wardle & Son Ltd had had an ATM on-site for quite a few years.