All Columnists articles – Page 15
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Analysis
James Lowman: ACS chief executive
After such an unexpected (for most) General Election result, it’s no surprise that Theresa May followed up with a scaled-down Queen’s Speech. But within the speech, there was still one important piece of legislation mentioned that will have direct implications for the forecourt sector. That was the Automated and ...
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Analysis
Tracy West: Shop Talk
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 ...
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Analysis
David Charman: chairman CWA
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 ...
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Analysis
Brian Madderson: chairman PRA
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 ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: editor
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 ...
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Analysis
Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media
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 ...
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Analysis
Tracy West: Shop Talk
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 ...
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Analysis
Chris Hunt: UKPIA director general
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 ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: editor
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 ...
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Analysis
Ray Blake: technical manager PRA
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 ...
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Analysis
Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media
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 ...
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Analysis
Tracy West: Shop Talk
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 ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: editor
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 ...
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Analysis
Kevin Eastwood: Executive director, BOSS
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 ...
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Analysis
Charlotte Blum: analysis editor, Argus Media
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 ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: chief executive, ACS
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 ...
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Analysis
Tracy West: Shop Talk
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 ...
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Analysis
David Charman: chairman CWA
Our industry has once again moved into a whole new era, with Tesco taking ownership of Booker and its forecourt brands and the demonisation of diesel as a road fuel. I’m not sure if I would be delighted or worried if I were a Booker-supplied brand. Will the buying power ...
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Analysis
Brian Madderson: chairman PRA
The anti-diesel bandwagon is rolling. It was tax incentives in 2001 that encouraged both private drivers and businesses to buy diesel engine cars. The justification related to climate change and lower carbon dioxide emissions. The issues of toxic nitrogen oxide and higher levels of particulate matter were known but downplayed. ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: editor
The frustration is palpable as the realisation of the impact of changes to business rates being implemented in April is realised in companies big and small across the nation. Media headlines have yelled at every opportunity about the smaller retailers that appear to be being taxed out of business. The ...