All Forecourt Trader articles in February 2024
View all stories from this issue.
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ReportsTop 50 Indies report shines light on robust forecourt sector
MFG continues to take pole position in the Top 50 Indies 2024, which were unveiled earlier this week. And this is before its Morrisons forecourts are added to its portfolio.
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Product NewsSHOP TALK: an appreciation for retail staff
Can you believe it’s March already? Mother’s Day is just days away and Easter falls early this year, happening at the end of the month.
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NewsLocal shop theft at record high, says ACS
Incidents of theft from local shops rose more than five times to 5.6 million in 2023 from a record 1.1 million the previous year.
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NewsNo means of payment being used as “forecourt seven-day loans”, says BOSS
While drive-offs hit the headlines, it is actually no means of payment that is causing forecourt operators most problems, with motorists using them as “forecourt seven-day loans”, British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) operations director Bruce Nichol told Forecourt Trader Summit delegates this week.
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NewsShop crime is a growing challenge for forecourts
While drive-offs and no means of payment remain big problems on forecourts, a growing challenge is the increase in crime in the forecourt shop.
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NewsCustomer service is most important consumer need at forecourt stores
The top consumer need in a forecourt store is customer service, with 62% of people saying good customer service is extremely or very important.
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NewsBP invests in staff safety
BP staff are now wearing body cams in stores to help keep them safe – and, as a result, any incidents are being taken more seriously by the police.
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NewsNew online platform launches for buying and selling automotive businesses
A new online platform, AutoCommercial.co.uk, provides a dedicated space for buyers, sellers and agents to list and discover automotive businesses and properties.
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NewsGovernment ‘failing’ to crack down on illegal car washes
The government has been accused of failing to act against illegal car washes after Home Office data revealed 78 hand car washes had been fined a total of almost £1.5 million for ‘right to work’ offences in the first nine months of 2023.
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NewsIndependent forecourt operators show spark for electric vehicle charging
The march of electric vehicles (EVs) and what to do about it was a major theme at Forecourt Trader’s Summit and Top Indies dinner on 27 February, with influential retailer Tout’s announcing plans to introduce chargepoints on a trial basis, and our Top 50 Indies report showing that almost half of the UK’s biggest independent fuel retailers had now adopted EV charging.
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NewsCycleO accelerates efforts to decarbonise road transport with green methane
Creating biomethane from manure and other farming and food waste to fuel trucks is an effective way of reducing transport’s carbon footprint. However, as with many sustainable fuels, scaling up production and increasing availability can be a problem.
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NewsForecourt Trader recognises its first Top Indies Awards winners
MFG stepped away with the Top Indies Retailer of the Year 2024 trophy at Forecourt Trader’s first Top Indies Awards ceremony, aimed specifically at recognising the achievements of the UK’s biggest independent fuel retailers.
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NewsTECH TALK: Government boost for UK hydrogen production
Seven projects to make low carbon hydrogen are to get a £21m boost from government.
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NewsBP pilots personalised made-to-order food at 10 sites
BP is piloting bespoke, made-to-order, breakfast and lunches under its Wild Bean Cafe banner at 10 of its 313 company-owned sites.
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InterviewUNDER THE SPOTLIGHT: 20 questions for Sam Clarke from Gridserve
It is fair to say that Gridserve’s Sam Clarke is a fan of electric vehicles: he has owned one for 20 years, hosts an EV podcast and even set a Guinness World Record driving one. He says being a key member of the team behind the ubiquitous chargepoint provider is his dream job.
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NewsForecourt operators pinpoint spiralling staff costs and crime as their biggest concerns
Spiralling staff costs sparked by the new National Living Wage this April, and crime are the biggest concerns for forecourt operators.
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Focus On FeatureFOCUS ON FASCIAS: Group effort
Whether it’s because they want a well-known name above their door or the buying power that comes from that name, or the own label that’s offered or the regular promotions – thousands of forecourt retailers choose to be part of a symbol group.
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NewsFastned goes for speedy expansion with decommissioning offer to forecourts
Chargepoint operator Fastned is looking to expand its network in the UK and Ireland by leasing existing petrol forecourts – and is offering owners up to £250,000 to cover decommissioning costs.
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NewsWarning that Scottish plan to ban disposable vapes could boost illicit market
With the Scottish government joining England and Wales in planning to ban single use vapes, two trade associations are warning the measure could see vapers turn to the illicit market or return to smoking.
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NewsNew forecourt coming to Ballymena
East Coast Fuels has been given planning permission to build a new forecourt on land between Ballee Road East and the M2 at Ballymena.