All Forecourt Trader articles in October 2004

View all stories from this issue.

  • News

    And he spoke too soon

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    While having a satisfying rant over stamps, Steve had tempted fate by saying that at least the reduction on margins for phone cards had finally stopped. Oh dear. Five days later, down they went again. His next delivery from Dextra Solutions revealed margins reduced to as low as 3.5 per ...

  • News

    Signs for the times

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Signage and display specialist, Signwaves, has developed a new poster display unit for forecourts.The distinctive Sentinel unit has been designed to improve poster loading efficiency and reduce health and safety risks.“Sentinel is the ultimate large format poster unit – easy to use, no sharp corners or trip hazards and superb ...

  • Analysis

    Sunny outlook

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Independent dealers are now ‘catching up’ with oil companies in terms of the quality of their store operations, according to the latest report from the Institute of Grocery Distribution – Convenience on the Forecourt 2004. The report shows that most forecourt sites now have some form of shop, with almost ...

  • News

    Stamping out profits

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Do you sell stamps? If so you’ve probably noticed the reduction in margin on second class stamps to three per cent. Were you informed? I must admit, if there was a whole heap of hype as claimed by Royal Mail, I missed it. Steve Dyer, from Thornfalcon Garage in Taunton, ...

  • News

    Lifeline for Scottish retailers

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    All rural petrol stations in Scotland will be able to apply for funding from a scheme that supports the availability of fuel in rural Scotland.Following a review into the Rural Petrol Stations Grant Scheme, it was found that its travel, economic and environmental benefits to rural communities far exceeded the ...

  • News

    Rizla’s regular launch

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Following the successful introduction of Rizla King Size Slim Silver last year, Imperial Tobacco is launching Rizla Regular Sliver on October 1. Regular Silver will be packaged in ourters of 50 booklets offering retailers profit margins of around 50%, or 17.5p on every booklet sold at the recommended retail ...

  • News

    Mo’gas: An irreverent view from the network

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    SO FAREWELL, THEN, Kuwait – or not as the case may be! After months of speculation over whether it would be BP or Total, now we know – it’s neither. The curious outcome to the Kuwait (Dutch?) auction is perhaps a fitting end to the curious saga of one of ...

  • Halloween treats
    News

    Halloween treats

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Walkers has launched two limited editions – Quavers Ghosts available in cheese flavour and Monster Munch Spooky Tongue in Pickled Onion flavour – to appeal to the growing Halloween market. Walkers Trade marketing manager Nicky Seal, said: “Halloween is becoming an increasingly important event in the UK calendar, with Halloween ...

  • News

    Watch out for food trends says report

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Forecourt retailers have to react quickly to new market trends and developments in shop product lines if they want to develop a contemporary shop offering to compete with traditional convenience stores, according to a new report by independent market analyst, Datamonitor. One such recent development is the stocking of low-carbohydrate ...

  • News

    Walkers’ festive frenzy

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Walkers is launching its biggest Christmas range which includes Christmas Turkey and Paxo flavoured crisps, limited edition Sensations Nuts, seasonal Sensations flavours, Doritos Decorations and Doritos Christmas Dip, and Sharing Big Bags of New French Fries, Square and Quavers.The seasonal offerings also include Christmas Pan Fried Sausage and Sage flavour ...

  • News

    Well earned

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    It’s been a hard day at work, it’s late, and now you have a splitting headache, but the cupboard is bare of all painkillers, the chemist is shut, and who wants to park up at Sainsbury’s just for a packet of paracetamol? This is probably a recognisable scenario for many ...

  • News

    Melt down

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    No matter how far round the world you go, it seems the problems of petrol retailers are the same. In Australia the talk is all about low fuel margins, struggling independents, discounting supermarkets and the need to develop a good convenience store. It’s a familiar tale, albeit with a different ...

  • News

    Don’t be taken in

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    I read an article which concentrated on the recent volatile rise of the oil price. This commodity is in short supply and has a growing demand. We are told that problems in Russia/Nigeria Venezuela/Iraq or demand in China/India/USA are to blame, and each news item from any of these countries ...

  • Delightful tasting
    News

    Delightful tasting

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Mars Delight is to be part of a £1.7 million sampling activity that will target women with nearly four million full-size bars, in the hope they will experience ‘delightful’ moments.Heading up the sampling campaign will be teams of hit squads who will target 17 major UK cities and towns including ...

  • News

    McCoys crisps are hot stuff

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    A limited edition McCoy’s ridge cut crisp in Honey Roast Ham & Mustard flavour has been launched by United Biscuits UK as part of its continuing campaign to grow market share and increase sales in the snacks market. The new limited-edition flavour, which will benefit from a £3.5 million media ...

  • News

    Coffee Nation in Tesco Express deal

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Around 100 Esso-branded forecourts are among 150 Tesco Express stores to offer Coffee Nation’s self-serve gourmet coffee stations by March 2005. The deal marks Tesco’s first steps into the premium coffee-to-go market and Coffee Nation’s first major presence in the UK high street. Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Martyn Dawes, ...

  • Country charms
    News

    Country charms

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Set on a main road into the Royal Naval Port town of Dartmouth, Devon, Townstal Road Garage has a powerful selling point to keep customers coming back. Aside from the distinctive BP branding on the forecourt and Spar shop fascia, locally sourced products are proving a big hit with shoppers. ...

  • News

    It’s free - but there’s a catch

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Here is a bit of a masterclass on ‘free’ drinks coolers. When Mohammed Arif bought his filling station and store two months ago in Cannock, Staffordshire, he thought he had bought all the fixtures and fittings as part of the deal. He renamed the business Top Shop Services, filled the ...

  • Moveable car wash
    News

    Moveable car wash

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Eco Technical Services Ltd has come up with a new design for a portable car wash with oil/water separator and water recycling equipment.Branded Mobay, the system is supported by the international company Freylit who has granted sole UK distribution of their Class 1 oil/water separator and water recycling equipment to ...

  • News

    Robinson plans explosive campaign

    2004-10-01T00:00:00Z

    Robinsons is to benefit from a £2.5 million ‘Autumn Fun’ campaign, including TV ads, a national door-drop campaign, and in-store and on-line activity, culminating in Robinsons sponsorship of two high-profile firework events in November. The six-week campaign, which kicks off this month, sees 1.5 million leaflets with money-off vouchers and ...