Forecourt retailers were named best in class for a number of product

categories at the recent Convenience Tracking Programme (CTP) Awards. Shell was named best retailer for sandwiches and crisps/snacks, while Esso was named best for soft drinks, and Fuelforce best for confectionery. Kuwait Petroleum was named as fourth best retailer to work for, ahead of other forecourt chains, in the award voted for by staff.

Big Oil Associates Ltd, the company responsible for the internet web site

portal BigOil.net, has been successful in winning Wales’ leading Technology Wales Business Award 2004 for ‘Best Business Start-Up to use Technology’. Co-founders of the company Darren Briggs and Keith Guppy accepted the award from BBC TV presenter Fiona Bruce.

Harris International Marketing (HIM) has launched a Brand Availability Retail Tracking Audit (BARTA) within the forecourt sector. The study will comprise six audits which will take place between June and December and will monitor SKU availability, shelf fill, number of facings on fixtures and number of gaps on category fixtures. Key supporters who have already signed up to the audit include Shell, Total and BP.

ESA, the specialist retail and trade market research company has been contracted to conduct the forthcoming mystery shopping campaign for the joint venture between BP and Safeway. The year-long contract will monitor the quality of the shopping experience.