All Analysis articles – Page 27
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Analysis
Rising through the ranks
In what has already been a hectic year for businesses in Forecourt Trader’s Top 50 Indies, another twist has just been added by HKS more than doubling in size to just under 60 sites in just three months.The growth spurt began when HKS acquired seven sites from the sell-off of ...
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Analysis
Brian Madderson - chairman RMIP
This has been a turbulent and exciting year for petrol retailers with the independent sector powering ahead to represent nearly 70% of all UK forecourts. The decision by the remaining oil majors to continue divesting their retail assets has enabled a few of the larger independent groups to grow quickly ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk - Tracy West
he news that Christmas will be cheaper for consumers this year means only one thing to retailers fierce competition. A survey for VoucherCodes.co.uk, done by YouGov, found that average household spending on food, presents and decorations would be £796.05 this year. It sounds a lot but it’s actually 3% down ...
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Analysis
Peter Harding - retail consultant
The latest Apple event came and went launching the new Iphone 6s, new Apple TV new ios 9 and OSx El Capitan and, of course, the Ipad Pro. Having done some work with CBE on the mobile solution, I was keen to see what the Ipad Pro brought to the ...
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Analysis
World class
Euro Garages’ rapid growth in the UK since its formation in 2001 has already propelled it into third spot in the Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies, and now it is aiming to become a leading player on a bigger stage. after a private equity firm agreed to invest in the ...
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Analysis
Chris Hunt - UKPIA director general
Petroleum products are an essential energy resource and they will continue to be for years to come. Our sector produces these vital products and confidence in the safety of our operations is paramount. Our industry does involve potential risks that are greater than those in many other sectors and for ...
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Analysis
DCC completes €464m Butagaz purchase
Irish conglomerate DCC plc, the parent company of Certas Energy, has completed the purchase of Butagaz SAS, a liquefied petroleum gas business in France, from Shell for €464m (£338m). When the deal was announced in May DCC said the transaction would be its largest ever acquisition and was a ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk - Tracy West
Having spent over two weeks recently with a really annoying cough and cold, I’ve had first-hand contact with the cold and flu remedies category. During my illness I consumed, in no particular order: vitamin C, vitamin D3, Day Nurse, Night Nurse, paracetamol, Sudafed, Covonia lozenges, Jakeman’s throat sweets and liquorice ...
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Analysis
Pumping up the future
With Shell signing a deal for hydrogen refuelling stations (HFSs) at three of its sites, and Toyota launching its Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in the UK, a new kind of fuel is finally gaining a little traction in this country. Oliver Bishop, general manager of hydrogen, Shell, ...
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Analysis
Kevin Eastwood - Executive director BOSS
At a recent meeting with the Attorney General, the country’s senior law officer, BOSS was praised for the work it does in tackling forecourt crime. It was also welcoming to hear from Home Office Minister for Policing, Mike Penning MP, that he’s grateful for the positive way that BOSS is ...
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Analysis
James Lowman - ACS chief executive
At the start of September, we launched our fourth annual Local Shop Report and it was great to see so many of you in Manchester to be among the first to get the information. One of the chapters looks at employment in our sector, and this year we reached 400,000 ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk - Tracy West
How pro-active are you at providing what your shoppers want? I ask because I spoke to a convenience store retailer recently who told me he had just started stocking low-salt and low-sugar lines. But the interesting bit was that he was not responding to demand, he was trying to create ...
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Analysis
Deferred justice
Brobot Petroleum, a Top 50 Indie which operates 23 filling stations in the Midlands, has successfully appealed via the First Tier Tax Tribunal against HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) imposition of unreasonable conditions to obtain an excise duty Deferment Account Number: Oil Products. The case was prepared and presented by ...
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Analysis
David Charman - chairman CWA
As the summer months continue with the better weather, the excellent car wash sales of 2015 have continued. I was reminded recently by a personal event that there has been a dramatic increase in some of the costs incurred by our business, such as water and refuse. Water is, of ...
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Analysis
Brian Madderson - chairman PRA
I wrote after the election to Mike Penning MP, newly appointed minister for policing, crime, criminal justice and victims at the Home Office about possible changes to police policy on forecourt crime. He replied (also offering a personal discussion): "First, I can assure you that there has been no change ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk - Tracy West
I’ve always been a bit fascinated by the Graze craze. You know, those boxes of delicious but healthy snacks that get sent direct to consumers’ homes or desks. I’ve often been tempted to fill out a coupon for a free trial but haven’t ever got to round to it, but ...
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Analysis
Mind the gap
Over the past few months, as the gap in wholesale prices for diesel and unleaded petrol has narrowed, a debate has raged between motoring organisations and retailers as to whether drivers were paying too much for diesel.While the AA and RAC pointed to the wholesale cost, the dealers explained that ...
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Analysis
Peter Harding - Retail technology consultant
Apple Pay and PayPal are the latest payment methods to reach our retail stores and sites. Available on iPhone 6, Apple Pay enables your mobile phone to be used as a mobile wallet. You simply pass your phone near to the terminal, anything with the ApplePay logo or the currently ...
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Analysis
Chris Hunt - UKPIA director general
Diesel vehicles have become increasingly popular and now account for over half of new car registrations in the UK. This is in stark contrast to the situation 15 years ago, when petrol vehicles accounted for over 85% of new car registrations. The popularity of diesel vehicles with motorists has continued ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk - Tracy West
I know it’s really the wrong time of the year to talk about chocolate, but I just had to tell you about my latest find. While shopping in a Carrefour in Calais (what a cosmopolitan lifestyle I lead), I came across a new (nouveau) line from Ferrero. Now, I know ...