All Analysis articles – Page 19

  • Analysis

    Motoring at full speed

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    I f anyone thought that the rate of acquisitions by the biggest dealers during 2017 could not possibly be maintained in the New Year, then the first week of 2018 appears to have dispelled that notion. Having just snapped up 14 sites with the acquisition of the Golden Cross ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: retail commentator

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    Life is all about choice but increasingly choices are being taken away from us apparently for our own good. Here I am referring to the removal of sugar, particularly in soft drinks. With implementation of the sugar levy fast approaching (April 6), many companies are clamouring to cut back on ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: editor

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    If the start of 2018 is anything to go by, it’s going to be another lively year in the forecourt sector. I guess we’ve got somewhat used to the bigger fishes in the pond buying the smaller ones, and to this end we saw MFG adding to its numbers with ...

  • Analysis

    Kevin Eastwood: BOSS

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    Kevin Eastwood BOSS Executive Director Last year there were press reports that crimes involving a loss of under £50 would not be investigated by the police unless a suspect is already identified, and that CCTV should only be analysed for crimes committed in a 20-minute time frame. Well, this is ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    Brent crude and wholesale gasoil prices ended 2017 at their highest since May 2015. UK drivers are paying more for diesel than they have in three years, with petrol not far behind. Falling crude stocks in the US were the immediate reason for the Brent price rising past $66.50/bl at ...

  • Analysis

    James Lowman: chief executive, ACS

    2018-01-12T00:00:00Z

    You may have seen and heard ACS in the media over Christmas talking about some changes to the way the police, courts and government are responding to shop theft. There are a couple of separate issues at play here. Firstly, different police forces are setting policies about how they prioritise ...

  • Analysis

    Mind the gap

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    While Palmer and Harvey’s difficulties were common knowledge they’d put out a notice about takeover talks to secure the company’s future the instant termination of all deliveries when it went into administration meant forecourt owners had to scramble to keep their shops supplied.MRH, the UK’s biggest independent forecourt ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Retail commentator

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    This Christmas your present, as an independent retailer, should arrive on Christmas Eve. It will hopefully come in the form of the extra trade you’ll get once the grocery multiples shut their doors, typically at 4pm. And that is, of course, because of our Sunday Trading Laws and the fact ...

  • Analysis

    David Charman: md Parkfoot Garage

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    As we head towards another busy Christmas period, it’s time to reflect on the past year and try to make sense of what 2018 will bring to our ever-surprising business sector. Electric vehicles (EV) have certainly made all the headlines this year and undoubtedly they will have a role to ...

  • Analysis

    Brian Madderson: PRA chairman

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    This government has a clear view that our future economic prosperity will be assured if the UK can emerge as global leaders in the race to a new transportation era. This involves automated vehicles and alternatively fuelled vehicles. The Secretary of State for DEFRA Michael Gove announced that there would ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: Editor

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    It’s hard to believe that such a long-established company as Palmer and Harvey which was firmly entrenched in the life of many forecourt operations over a considerable period is no longer (see News Extra, page 10). I really feel for the hard-working and long-suffering staff, who invested considerable effort in ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media

    2017-12-13T00:00:00Z

    Opec and its non-Opec partners decided on November 30 to extend their production cuts for another nine months, until the end of next year. Expectations of the deal had been keeping crude futures prices above $63/bl since November 22, supporting road fuel prices. UK retail prices have been rising in ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: retail commentator

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    Now that Halloween is out of the way, you can turn your attention to creating some fabulous Christmas displays. I know in-store theatre is not everyone’s cup of tea but it is great for interrupting shoppers who can be are on auto pilot at this time of year. Yes, most ...

  • Analysis

    Chris Hunt: UKPIA director general

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    Well, all good things must come to an end and for me that is the end of November when I retire from UKPIA after 20 years at the Association. One thing that marks our industry is constant change. On joining Elf (remember them?) in 1989, we were coming to the ...

  • Analysis

    Charging the industry

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    Motorway services and large petrol retailers will be forced to install charge points and hydrogen refuelling points for electric cars, under plans confirmed in the House of Commons by transport minister John Hayes.The Automated and Electric Vehicles Bill will give the government powers to make it compulsory for "public charging ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: editor

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    The electric agenda seems to be pushing along at a high rate of knots at least as far as the headlines are concerned. Just this week PRA chairman Brian Madderson has twice given evidence to MPs on the subject. He first appeared as a witness before a committee of MPs ...

  • Analysis

    Ray Blake: PRA technical director

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    One of the services the Petrol Retailers Association offers to its members is that of conciliation between themselves and their suppliers particularly fuel ones. Our help is sought a number of times each year, most often when cross-overs have occurred (petrol into a diesel tank or vice versa), during a ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media

    2017-11-13T00:00:00Z

    The after effects of Hurricane Harvey can still be felt at UK sites, with diesel prices at a wide premium to petrol. In the international markets, the premium has begun to shrink again now that US refineries have resumed normal operations, but growing underlying diesel demand is keeping distillate crack ...

  • Analysis

    Spending spree

    2017-10-06T00:00:00Z

    By the standards of recent years the number of acquisitions by the Top 50 Indies has been quite modest since the 2017 listing was published in March. But that all changed in September, with a flurry of deals. However, with all the major sell-offs by oil companies completed, it is ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Shop Talk

    2017-10-06T00:00:00Z

    It’s not often nowadays that I get excited about a new product. That’s because most aren’t really new at all as often they’ve just been resurrected in new packaging. However, I’m loving the new Tic Tacs I discovered very recently. They’re called Breeze, they’re sugar free and they come in ...