HKS has become the first petrol retailer to acquire a new range of modular display/storage pods for forecourt shopfronts, which is now installed on its newly refurbished Clock Tower site in Leicester.

The pods are manufactured by ATL Associates, a Leicester-based company that has been producing displays and POS for the retail environment for more than 25 years, and claims to have pioneered many displays that are now commonplace on High Streets, such as newspaper front-of-store displays incorporating spring-bin technology; and canned drink dispensers for service stations.

The company’s latest innovation aims to improve the aesthetics at the front of the forecourt shop, according to account director Neil Smillie: “A lot of money is being invested in modern forecourts, but the shop-front is still a mish-mash of different storage/sales units,” he said. “This is the final piece of equipment to complete the look of a slick, modern forecourt.

“We have produced many newspaper petrol forecourt units in the past and it was apparent that once these were placed in situ, they would not match the coal unit or indeed the screen wash unit which left a mis-matched run of displays along the front of a new garage development or upgrade. Our design of a sleek, matching run of forecourt pods delivers an enhanced offering which leads to improved customer sales, offers added revenue opportunity on the ends of the units and on the headers and assists in delivering a complete garage forecourt solution from a single source, all UK manufactured.”

Smillie said the pods are neat and modular, and cost the same whichever internal fitting. “They look neat and are instantly appealing to customers driving onto the forecourt. They have a range of internal fittings to accommodate everything from flowers, to coals and newspapers.

“They streamline the offering; improve the aesthetics at the front of the forecourt; and potentially interest partners into co-sponsorship deals. Prices start around £500-£1000.”