All Analysis articles – Page 21

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Shop Talk

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    Most independent businesses trade on their personal service knowing their regular customers, chatting to them and generally keeping them happy. But what about recommendations? This is something I think more independents should do more of. Book shops (I know there are very few left, unfortunately) often have recommendations from staff ...

  • Analysis

    Safety first

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    The terrorist attacks at the Manchester Arena and on London Bridge mean security is top of the agenda for many companies, and an incident in Manchester demonstrates why the forecourt sector needs to be vigilant. A Texaco petrol station in the city found itself on the front line in the ...

  • Analysis

    David Charman: chairman CWA

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    Our industry is facing cost increases on an unprecedented scale. Firstly, the living wage increase has impacted us all. And this challenge, I believe, is by far and away the biggest we will face in the coming years. But hot on its heels is the huge business rates increase that ...

  • Analysis

    Brian Madderson: chairman PRA

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    As I write this, if the pollsters are correct, the ’blues’ will continue to form the government. Mrs May has run her campaign on the mantra of ’strong and stable’ leadership but, when back in office, will she take the opportunity to change her Cabinet? We have already had rapid ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: editor

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    There’s been a lot of worrying stuff in the news recently and I’m not talking about the campaign for the General Election, which will be done and dusted by the time anyone reads this. Whatever your persuasion we will, of course, have to make the best of the outcome, but ...

  • Analysis

    Back to the future

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    This time last year we were coming to the end of a major restructuring of the industry, as private equity funding was driving the big dealer groups to acquire a large number of sites being sold off by the oil companies. This activity has slowed down over the past year ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media

    2017-06-09T00:00:00Z

    On May 26, Opec and 10 non-Opec countries decided to extend their production restraint for a further nine months to the end of March 2018. But the battle between producers wanting to increase prices and those fighting for market share continues, and weak prices and large swings betray the market’s ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Shop Talk

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    At first glance, I thought the news that most people thought the forthcoming sugar tax on soft drinks also applied to sweets, chocolate, biscuits and cakes was quite shocking. What is more, the Nielsen survey from which the news originated found that 28% of people didn’t think it applied to ...

  • Analysis

    Chris Hunt: UKPIA director general

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    Well, here we go again! The Prime Minister has fired the starting gun for a General Election, the sound of which has startled many people. It would seem that we have had an overabundance of politics over the past 18 months, what with the Labour party trying to sort itself ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: editor

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    It was something of a welcome relief for many that the government’s draft Air Quality Plan (see News Extra, page 10) seemed to have taken the heat out of the intense focus on ’dastardly diesel’ vehicles and their drivers. With threats of financial penalties and the suggestion that the use ...

  • Analysis

    Ray Blake: technical manager PRA

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    Before joining the Petrol Retailers Association, I spent 35 years ensuring the safety of petrol filling stations within London. During this time, I also implemented and managed 10 Primary Authority Partnerships (PAPs) that had influence over 25% of UK petrol filling stations. Having done this, I knew the benefit of ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    The international crude and petrol markets that underlie fuel prices in UK forecourts are tightening for separate reasons, keeping prices at the pump well supported. Crude production cuts by Opec members and other producers are starting to achieve what they set out to do, namely rebalance the market by reducing ...

  • Analysis

    Clearing the air

    2017-05-15T00:00:00Z

    After hordes of headlines suggesting owners of diesel cars were about to be clobbered with huge pollution charges, there were fears that the surge in demand for diesel would suddenly shudder into reverse, but new proposals from the government have eased some of the anxiety at least temporarily.The government ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Shop Talk

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Everyone knows cigarettes are expensive but I was shocked when I recently bought 20 Embassy for Mr West. They cost £9.99. Wow! And those 20 won’t even last him one day. Looking at the ugly packaging, I can see why the tobacco manufacturers were battling so hard to maintain their ...

  • Analysis

    Diesel dilemma

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Diesel has grown to dominate the road fuels market in the UK, driven by government tax incentives for car drivers. In 2001, with the government seeking to reduce CO2 emissions, the greater efficiency of diesel engines compared with petrol made it the obvious choice, and tax rates were adjusted accordingly.The ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: editor

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Welcome to our new-look Forecourt Trader. Yes, we’ve had a bit of a refresh, but it’s still the same great mix of news, views and retail insight that, according to our latest research, makes Forecourt Trader still your number one trade mag. New additions to look out for include a ...

  • Analysis

    Kevin Eastwood: Executive director, BOSS

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Any losses from forecourt crime are unacceptable. We fully understand the pressure this type of crime places on retailers, police and government agencies but by developing new and improved ways of working between police and retailers we will reduce losses and increase recovery rates. With Payment Watch we know that ...

  • Analysis

    Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Global crude oil prices are driving fuel prices at the pump, and all eyes are on Opec’s attempts to raise them. There are early signs that production cuts are beginning to bite, but producers are facing an uphill struggle. Opec and 11 non-Opec oil producers that have joined forces to ...

  • Analysis

    James Lowman: chief executive, ACS

    2017-04-10T00:00:00Z

    Since the publication of the revised business rate valuations late last year, a range of business groups including ACS have been campaigning to ensure that those hardest hit by the revaluation will be given appropriate relief, and that beyond the revaluation, the rating system will be reviewed so that everyone ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West: Shop Talk

    2017-03-01T00:00:00Z

    Sunday March 26 is Mother’s Day or Mothering Sunday. I always take my mum out for Sunday lunch but many families celebrate by eating in, together at home. According to market research firm Mintel, in-home food and drink accounts for 14% of Mother’s Day spending. You can imagine that a ...