All Forecourt Trader articles in December 2013 – Page 2
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NewsPRA follows lead from down under in call for curb on supermarket fuel discounts
The PRA is to follow Australia’s lead in seeking a voluntary agreement to curb the fuel discounting practices of the supermarkets, which have been so damaging to the independent petrol retailing sector. It is also calling for the OFT to re-open its investigation into the UK market. “As Australia’s largest ...
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News
Australian Commission brokers voluntary curbing of supermarket fuel discounts
In a landmark move to curb the fuel discounting practices of the supermarkets, and its damaging effect on other fuel retailers, Australia’s Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has brokered a voluntary ceasefire by the two biggest grocery chains. It has accepted undertakings from Coles and Woolworths that they will each ...
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News
Planning policy failing on out of town stores
A review of the planning system commissioned by the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has revealed that the Government’s Town Centre First policies are failing, as councils across the country approve millions of square feet of new out of town retail development. The report analysed a national sample of 50 ...
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News
Kay Group invests in energy saving measures
North-west forecourt operator The Kay Group, which is ranked 24 in Forecourt Trader’s Top 50 Indies, has agreed a roll-out program with food retail energy reduction specialists, Enviroglow. After a three-month trial at one of its sites in Blackburn, Lancashire, the forecourt group has committed to running the program at ...
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News
Households cutting expenditure on road fuels
UK households have been cutting their expenditure on road fuels, according to a new report published today by the Government’s Office of National Statistics (ONS). In its report on Household Expenditure 2010-2012 ONS says the average household spent £23.70 per week on petrol, diesel and motor oils, and petrol and ...
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NewsCertas Energy makes Londis preferred supplier
Certas Energy has announced a preferred supplier arrangement with Londis that will provide Certas-supplied filling stations with a fast track to Londis for expert business advice and consultancy as they look to grow revenues. “We see this as a very positive addition to the range of benefits already available to ...
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News
MPs urged to include small shops in carrier bag levy
Local shops should be included in the forthcoming plastic bag charge in England in 2015, the Association of Convenience Stores has told MPs. In its submission to the Environmental Audit Committee’s inquiry into plastic bags, ACS called on the Government not to exclude small shops from charging for single-use carrier ...
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News
Government gives long-term backing for alternative fuels
Supporters of low carbon vehicles have welcomed a long-term commitment from the government to maintain the differential between the main rate of fuel duty and the rate for road fuel gases such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) and biomethane. In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last ...
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News
ACS welcomes new Victims Code
A statutory code has come into power this week which recognises businesses as victims of crime, and has provisions for ‘business impact statements’ to allow retailers to report the wider implications of crime on their stores. Justice minister Chris Grayling said: “Victims deserve the best possible support to cope and ...
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News
Tonnes of toxic waste at illegal fuel plant
Almost 30 tonnes of toxic waste have been recovered after the discovery of a diesel laundering plant in South Armagh by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on December 4. Officers from HMRC, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) discovered the laundering plant, ...
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News
RMI welcomes confirmation of fuel duty freeze
Changes to the business rates regime and the widely expected freeze on fuel duty announced in the Chancellor’s autumn statement, have been welcomed by the PRA’s parent body RMI. RMI director Sue Robinson commented: “The RMI is pleased to see the extension of the small business rate relief scheme. The ...
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NewsWorld first claim for Sainsbury’s forecourts
The makers of components in the new canopies for two Sainsbury’s forecourts are claiming a world first in that the forecourt roof not only contains photovoltaic (PV) glass to generate electricity but is also transparent. Hamish Watson, managing director of Polysolar, said: “These canopies use Polysolar’s laminated PV glass that ...
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News
Cigarette smuggler sentenced
A serial tobacco smuggler has been sentenced for repeated attempts to smuggle illicit cigarettes into the UK, for sale on London streets. Abderrahmane Mehidi, a security guard from Kennington, London, was stopped when he arrived on a flight at London City airport from Iraq, via Geneva, on 22 January 2013. ...
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News
Police release CCTV of racially motivated crime
Police in Manchester have released CCTV footage of a man they want to question about a racially motivated crime at a service station. The man ran into Pemberton Service Station on Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan and threw a large piece of raw bacon at the attendant. The incident happened at ...
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News
New car sales continue to rise
New car sales figures, released today, show month on month sales were up 7% compared with November last year. Private registrations have risen 11.6%, while fleet sales increased by 3.4%. Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) said: “It is extremely encouraging to see that the new ...
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News
IGA unveils ’Car Repair Plan’ to spread cost of repairs
The Independent Garage Association (IGA), the trade association representing the independent garage sector across the UK, is to launch its own ‘Car Repair Plan’ to help consumers spread the cost of repair work to their vehicles. The plan will allow consumers to regularly put money into a fund which can ...
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News
Winter warmers
Winter warmer impulse purchases can bring incremental sales for independent retailers. That’s according to Kingsmill, a brand which offers waffles, crumpets, pancakes and muffins.Julia Perry, channels trade marketing manager for Kingsmill, said: "With 32% of high street shoppers buying something on impulse (Him data), this gives a great opportunity for ...
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Analysis
Shop talk with Tracy West
It’s that most wonderful time of the year Christmas, of course. And, as an independent retailer, it’s your time to shine. Really play up to your strengths as an independent. You and your staff know a lot of your customers by name so, even though you’re busy, make sure you ...
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News
Pure Zero with punch
AG Barr is building on the success of its Rockstar brand with the launch of pure zero, which comes in a fruit punch flavour, in a 500ml big-can format. The company says it delivers the ’full Rockstar energy hit’ with zero sugar. It is available in non-price-marked and 99p price-marked ...
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News
Shell rolls out screens
Amscreen Digital Solutions is deploying a network of digital menu boards across 250 Shell forecourts throughout the UK. It says it is using its 40-inch digital screens to bring a new dimension to deli menus and product promotion. The menu boards are being connected in a horizontal format to create ...