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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON CAR CARE AND LUBRICANTS: the great summer getaway
More than 14m drivers will make their getaway this weekend as schools close for the summer and families embark on holidays, representing a big opportunity for the car care category in forecourts.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Store of the future – sustainability: Energy audit
The forecourt sector is catching on to AI having a major role to play in improving sustainability, from automatically marking down expiring products, to helping to reduce energy bills.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON SECURITY: Progress report
Fuel prices might not be as high as they were earlier this year but drive-offs and failure to pay remain a scourge across the petrol retailing industry.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Sweet themes are made of these: seven things to know about sugar confectionery
It is an ever-evolving category that constantly embraces new flavours, formats, and TikTok fads, yet is anchored by nostalgia, tradition, and trusted brands. Keeping abreast of the latest in sugar confectionery is vital for any forecourt operator, for whom the segment is a vital ingredient in the retail mix.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON CAR WASH AND VALETING: Rinse and repeat
While many forecourt operators have invested thousands in new car washing equipment, whether it’s a rollover system or a jet wash, some are still not marketing these new and improved services that well.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON IN-STORE SERVICES: Footfall drivers
Many of the in-store services that Ziheed Mohammed, manager at Woodman Service Station in Leeds, offers are not big earners but he says they are still very important as they add 15-20% to footfall every day.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Six things you need to know about water, juice and milk drinks
Bottled water is outperforming the wider soft drinks market with value up 13.4%, while protein milk drinks see 20.4% growth as shoppers increasingly seek functional benefits alongside great taste.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON RETAIL TECHNOLOGY: Finding the right solution
Retail technology is more relevant to forecourt operators than ever – from digital screens tempting drivers charging their cars to buy snacks, to automated systems to help with Fuel Finder compliance, or pre-authorisation pay-at-pump terminals to deter drive-offs.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Five things to know about crisps and savoury snacks
The so-called ‘fibremaxxing’ trend, value-focussed shoppers, and the continued desire for spicy flavours are among the influences shaping the growing crisps, nuts and savoury bagged snacks category.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON PUMPS: A fillip for fill-ups
At the pump, reliability has always been fundamental to a petrol station’s performance, but in today’s environment of tighter margins and rising customer expectations, its importance is only increasing.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON FRANCHISE AND FASCIA: a marriage of convenience
Today’s forecourt retailers are spoilt for choice when it comes to franchise and fascia partners. Whatever you are looking for, be it a household name, best-in-class deals, a quality own-label or consistent and complete deliveries, you are bound to find it. We speak to retailers to see why they chose their particular trading partner.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON PUMP TOP PROMOTIONS: the cable guys
Mobile phone charging cables, barbecue lines, and year-round favourites air fresheners will be among the most popular non-food impulse lines at forecourts this summer, say pump top promotion suppliers.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON FORECOURT INSURANCE: Triggering the war clause
The conflict in Iran shines a spotlight on war clauses being standard exclusions in most commercial insurance policies. And with April remaining a key time for renewing policies in the forecourt sector, it is not the only thing to be aware of, says Tracy West.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON FORECOURT MAINTENANCE: Is your site ready for peak valeting season?
With car washes and jet washes a lucrative part of many forecourts’ business, you want to make sure they are working with as little downtime as possible. A driver pulls up, sees your wash is out of action, they’ll drive away and try somewhere else. And if they prefer that other location, you may have lost a loyal customer.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Eight things to know about carbonates
As with chewing gum – who remembers Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit on every corner shop counter? – the carbonates market has undergone a generational shift away from using sugar as an ingredient.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Five things to know about food to go
Some intriguing facts: around 95% of the UK’s cars still need petrol and diesel, while 100% of people run on food. And, despite changes to lifestyles and working patterns, Brits still drive 7,000 miles annually, spending an average of 362 hours in their cars each year.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON ANTI-CRIME TECHNOLOGY: Operation deterrent
Last month, anti-crime technology hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons when a customer at Sainsbury’s Elephant & Castle store was told to leave because facial recognition software had identified him as an offender.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON: Seven things you need to know about tobacco, vape and next generation
The nicotine category is being reshaped by dual-use behaviour, the rise of pouches and the shift to reusable vapes. How can retailers stay on top of the changes?
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON CAR CARE: Clean up your act
Park Garage Group keeps winning the car care category prize at the Forecourt Trader Awards. Tracy West talks to the Top 50 Indie to share how.
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Focus On FeatureTHE FORECOURT SHOW PREVIEW: Show time
Roll up, roll up: The Forecourt Show returns to the NEC Birmingham this April (13-15).