All Columnists articles – Page 19

  • Analysis

    Brian Madderson - chairman PRA

    2015-09-16T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Analysis

    Shop Talk - Tracy West

    2015-08-06T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Analysis

    Peter Harding - Retail technology consultant

    2015-08-06T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Analysis

    Chris Hunt - UKPIA director general

    2015-08-06T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Analysis

    Shop Talk - Tracy West

    2015-07-24T00:00:00Z

    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 ...

  • Analysis

    Kevin Eastwood - BOSS executive director

    2015-07-24T00:00:00Z

    Last month there was uproar when Devon and Cornwall Police revealed that taking fuel and driving off without payment would not be investigated and their lack of resources meant they would not deal with it. It’s hard to believe, but some police forces still treat theft of fuel as a ...

  • Analysis

    James Lowman - ACS Chief executive

    2015-07-24T00:00:00Z

    Business rates are one of the biggest cost burdens on retailers, and while the government’s review of the system is a great opportunity, there will be winners and losers. It’s our job to explain why local shops should be net beneficiaries of the review. How do we think we can ...

  • Analysis

    Shop Talk - Tracy West

    2015-06-11T00:00:00Z

    The phrase ’I don’t believe it’ is the title of this month’s column as I am in full-on Victor Meldrew mode. Firstly, I couldn’t believe the story of the chap who went into Greggs (the bakers) to buy a loaf of bread, only to be told they don’t sell bread ...

  • Analysis

    David Charman - chairman CWA

    2015-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Well it’s that time again; time to complete the HMRC rates form showing, in a nutshell, how my business has performed over the past three years. I suspect that for many of us it will reveal just how much our sector has changed. Reliance on fuel profitability has greatly reduced, ...

  • Analysis

    Brian Madderson - chairman PRA

    2015-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Farewell coalition and hello majority. Voters chose a Conservative Government producing a raft of new appointments and decisions critical for our industry sector. With the Summer Budget due on July 8,the PRA will be lobbying for a 2ppl duty reduction to be largely funded by the estimated windfall gain of ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: Age of the indie

    2015-06-11T00:00:00Z

    Lots of positive news for the fuel retailing sector this month starting with our latest annual Fuel Market Review, compiled in conjunction with Experian Catalist (page 28). It shows that the number of dealer sites has grown for the second year in a row, there are more vehicles on the ...

  • Analysis

    Shop Talk: Tracy West

    2015-05-13T00:00:00Z

    People say that there’s no such thing as a free lunch but with Walker’s crisps that’s not true. That’s because consumers buying packets of the crisps have a one in six chance of winning a free lunch. Walkers owner PepsiCo says this will enable retailers to ’add some crunch’ to ...

  • Analysis

    Peter Harding - Retail technology consultant

    2015-05-13T00:00:00Z

    Can you remember where you were and what you were doing on Friday April 10, 2015? I can. I had made an appointment to view and potentially order my new Apple watch. Having got to the relevant point in the appointment system, the nice young lady asked me which watch ...

  • Analysis

    Chris Hunt - UKPIA director general

    2015-05-13T00:00:00Z

    s we went to press, a safety scheme for road fuel tankers was launched. UKPIA inaugurated a thoroughly revised Safe Loading Pass Scheme (SLPS) on April 30. The scheme aims to ensure that road fuel tankers are safe and meet a number of additional checks and standards. The SLPS was ...

  • Analysis

    Merrril Boulton: Indies in overdrive

    2015-05-13T00:00:00Z

    Yet another month of intense activity in the sector, and I don’t just mean all the trade exhibitions that were held last month including our own very successful Forecourt Show at the NEC. The head offices of MFG and Euro Garages must have been and will continue to be operating ...

  • Analysis

    Tracy West -:Shop Talk

    2015-04-07T00:00:00Z

    By now, you should all be covered up. And by that I mean your cigarettes and baccy, all cosy and snug behind doors or shutters because on April 6, that’s the law! And it’s quite a complicated law with sub-sections on when you can open doors/shutters, who can look, and ...

  • Analysis

    Kevin Eastwood - BOSS executive director

    2015-04-07T00:00:00Z

    On May 7 the country goes to the polls to elect a new government. One of the first questions I will be asking the new Home Secretary is "What is the justice system going to do to respond better to drive-offs and ’no means of payment’ (NMoP) incidents?" The latest ...

  • Analysis

    Merril Boulton: Big growth for the big boys

    2015-04-07T00:00:00Z

    Interesting times, as Esso concludes the sell-off of its final tranche of sites and pilots a new fuel livery; and MFG unveils a new strategy - on the one hand signing off on the biggest fuel supply deal of recent years; and also commits to the Murco brand in a ...

  • Analysis

    James Lowman: ACS Chief executive

    2015-04-07T00:00:00Z

    The Chancellor has delivered his final Budget of the parliament ahead of the election in May. One of the headlines grabbing a lot of attention was the announcement of 1p off a pint, reductions in other alcohol duties and a freeze in wine duty. This is good news for an ...

  • Analysis

    Shop Talk - Tracy West

    2015-03-06T00:00:00Z

    I always used to be impressed by US forecourts they always seemed so cutting edge, so ahead of the curve but on a recent trip to Florida the ones I visited were a bit disappointing. One was downright awful. Mr West and I only stopped because we needed a map ...