All articles by Tracy West
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Article
Changing habits in lockdown
They say that eating habits have changed during the Coronavirus lockdown and it seems that’s true when it comes to our taste in sandwiches. According to a poll of 2,000 adults undertaken by bread brand Warburtons, last year’s favourite sandwich cheese has been replaced by bacon. It seems whether they’re ...
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NewsBudgens forecourt sees record shop sales but fuel plummets
A Budgens forecourt owner has experienced record shop sales as the coronavirus crisis has taken hold, but after a brief surge in fuel sales volumes have shrunk to about 15% of their usual level. Goran Raven of Ravens Budgens, at Abridge in Essex, says he’s been in the industry many ...
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Analysis
Highs and lows of NPD
I love trying a new product so was particularly pleased with my latest haul although as with everything in life, some things were better than others. I have written quite a lot about protein bars so thought I had better start trying them. Then I spied two new bars: KitKat ...
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Analysis
Greggs on a ’roll’
I confess to not being a massive fan of Greggs products but obviously loads of people are, including Mr West who is very partial to a Greggs sausage roll or two. In the town where I live, there are always queues of people wanting a sausage roll or other Greggs ...
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NewsForecourts remaining relevant on the Road to Zero
Will the Road to Zero impact the value of my PFS business, was the title of the presentation at Summit 2020 delivered by Steve Rodell, managing director – retail at Christie & Co. “If you thought Brexit was taxing then try deciding when the onset of alternative fuels will have ...
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NewsMaxol outlines development of its food-to-go offer
Irish forecourt brand Maxol has been busy developing its food-to-go offer to maximise the opportunity that’s been presented to them from their customers’ growing appetite for food on the move. Speaking at Forecourt Trader’s Summit 2020, Aoife Kearney, food concepts manager at Maxol, explained the company’s journey. She said in ...
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NewsTop 50 Indies ’positive’ about trading conditions
The majority of dealers are positive about trading conditions, with 26% ‘extremely positive’ and 46% ‘positive’, according to a new report - the first research conducted into the opinions of the Top 50 independent retailing community. The findings were delivered by Sarah Coleman, from research consultancy Him, at the ...
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NewsGovernment taskforce says EVs could benefit UK’s energy system
The Electric Vehicle (EV) Energy Taskforce, a government-backed organisation that brings together key players in the energy, infrastructure and transport sectors, says that the effectively managed integration of EVs with the energy system could significantly improve electricity network efficiency, increase system resilience and limit the requirement to build costly new ...
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News
Grenade launches energy drink
Grenade – renowned for its popular Carb Killa bar and shakes range – is entering the world of energy drinks with the launch of Grenade Energy. Grenade says the fruity flavoured carbonate has been developed for consumers who are looking for healthier energy drinks. It is made with all-natural caffeine ...
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NewsDrunks hold darts match in forecourt shop
Two drunken men set up a dartboard at the Esso petrol station on Knutsford Road in Latchford and began playing a game of darts before being moved on by police. According to the Warrington Guardian, officers were called shortly after 4pm on Thursday, November 21, after receiving reports of the ...
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NewsRobber jailed for threatening to slit cashier’s throat
A knife-wielding woman who robbed St Giles Filling Station in Gilesgate, Durham and threatened to slit the cashier’s throat has been jailed for six years. Durham Crown Court heard how Joanne Metcalfe entered the forecourt store shortly after 6am on August 24 this year, and filled a shopping basket full ...
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NewsTwo men threaten cashier in early morning armed raid
Police are appealing for information following an incident at the BP site in Greenock Road, Paisley. According to Glasgow Live, at approximately 7.10 this morning two men entered the forecourt store armed with a weapon and threatened a female member of staff before making off with cigarettes and alcohol. The ...
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NewsMFG expects green light for new roadside service area
Plans to develop a roadside service area in East Devon, including a petrol station and a McDonald’s drive-thru, have been recommended for approval. The land earmarked for the scheme is on Exeter Road in Whimple. The latest plans, which were first submitted by MRH and now below to MFG, detail ...
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News
Country Choice launches vegan sausage roll
Country Choice has launched a new vegan sausage roll in time for ‘Veganuary’, the campaign that encourages consumers to try going vegan for a month. The number of consumers who signed up to Veganuary in 2019 topped 250,000, up nearly 100,000 on 2018, and even more are expected to sign ...
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News
illy enters capsule market
The illy brand of coffee is now available in capsules that are compatible with Nespresso coffee machines. Brand owner illycaffè says it wants to make the illy coffee experience available to as many people as possible, while keeping in step with modern consumption trends. Made from nine carefully selected Arabica ...
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News
Premier Foods unveils festive cakes range
Premier Foods is extending its festive cake range with seasonal additions from Mr Kipling and Cadbury. From Mr Kipling there is a new Mini Mince Pie Selection pack to add more variety to the line-up. The pack contains three each of Mr Kipling Deep Filled Mince Pies, Iced Topped Mince ...
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NewsMazda commits to diesel engines
Car giant Mazda has confirmed its commitment to diesel by announcing that it will launch an innovative diesel engine next year as it takes a broader approach than some other companies to reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Talking to Autocar magazine, Mazda’s Europe R&D, boss Christian Schultze, said: “We are ...
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NewsScottish forecourts warned to be vigilant over jet wash cash boxes
Tayside Police are advising forecourts with coin-operated jet wash machines to empty the cash boxes daily. The advice comes after thieves targeted a jet wash machine at the Jet site on Edinburgh Road, Perth for the second time in nine days. According to The Courier, the jet wash machines were ...
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NewsForecourts perform well in underage tobacco purchase tests
Forty per cent of shops in England failed underage tobacco purchase tests in 2018-2019, according to the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI). However, while convenience stores recorded the most illegal tobacco sales (39%), forecourt stores fared much better accounting for just 3% of illegal sales. The 40% figure was a ...
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NewsHalf of Brits unconvinced by electric cars
Less than half of people who drive would currently consider getting an electric vehicle according to new research from Lex Autolease, despite 61% of respondents saying they are aware of the government’s target for all new cars and vans to be zero-emission by 2040. The survey of 2,000 drivers found ...