All Columnists articles – Page 19
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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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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
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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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 ...
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Analysis
Kevin Eastwood - BOSS executive director
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 ...
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Analysis
James Lowman - ACS Chief executive
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 ...
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Shop Talk - Tracy West
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 ...
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Analysis
David Charman - chairman CWA
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, ...
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Analysis
Brian Madderson - chairman PRA
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 ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: Age of the indie
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 ...
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Analysis
Shop Talk: Tracy West
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 ...
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Analysis
Peter Harding - Retail technology consultant
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 ...
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Analysis
Chris Hunt - UKPIA director general
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 ...
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Analysis
Merrril Boulton: Indies in overdrive
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 ...
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Analysis
Tracy West -:Shop Talk
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 ...
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Analysis
Kevin Eastwood - BOSS executive director
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 ...
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Analysis
Merril Boulton: Big growth for the big boys
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 ...
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Analysis
James Lowman: ACS Chief executive
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 ...