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All Articles
2010
Profit machines
July/August
An ATM in store will help cashed-up customers spend more. [Read more...]
'Compliance' is not a dirty word
July/August
What do you think when you hear the term 'retail compliance'? If the likes of 'low standards', 'poor follow through' and 'lack of accountability' come to mind, then you are not alone.
[Read more...]Death and taxes
July/August
Dr Ken Henry AC, Secretary to the Treasury, stood in the room as the Prime Minister and Treasurer released Australia's Future Tax System Review (called the 'Henry Tax Review').
[Read more...]Food for thought
July/August
Keeping customers hungry for more can mean bigger profits [Read more...]
A New Sunrise for The Distributors
July/August
The Distributors, Australia's largest snack and confectionery wholesaler, has entered a formal partnership with the New Sunrise Group. New Sunrise is a privately owned buying group, boasting some 650 retail outlets as members, mostly fuel operators.
[Read more...]All Systems Go
July/August
The right retail automation option will boost both store efficiency and profitability
[Read more...]Europe's grocery convenience multi-format growth path
May/June
Supermarket chains in Britain, France and Germany are reaching new customers, winning market share and strong sales with new formats and multi-channel strategies. Major investments are being made in new and refurbished grocery convenience stores more closely matching convenience store sizes that are beating sales at larger stores. [Read more...]
Passion, perseverance and perspiration
May/June
Quick with a laugh, always ready for a chat, but intensely private, Hugh Watters, CEO of the New Sunrise Group, doesn't come across as the traditional executive type.
[Read more...]March of the microwaves
May/June
The in-a-rush generation reaches for the fastest food on the shelf [Read more...]
White wedding
May/June
Milk and convenience is a marriage made in profitability heaven [Read more...]
ACCC report into the prices of unleaded petrol
March/April
There were two three key findings in the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Monitoring of the Australian petroleum industry - Report of the ACCC into the prices, costs and profits of unleaded petrol in Australia released in December 2009.
[Read more...]Helping without being a hero
March/April
There are two kinds of conversations: those that converge to a natural end and those that expand into all sorts of subjects and experiences. A conversation with Karim Sumar, National Merchandise Manager at Caltex Australia, is of the latter kind. [Read more...]
Juice fights back
March/April
Beverages battle shapes up to be a thriller in the chiller [Read more...]
Mucking about with power tools
January/February
Keith Berg jokes that he spent twenty-odd years working out a career plan before finally giving up career planning altogether. That was in 1987, when he first got involved in publishing, beginning with a small service station magazine and developing it into the magazine you are reading now. Keith Berg is the publisher of Convenience & Impulse Retailing.
[Read more...]Healthy challenge
January/February
The direction may be new … but the commitment to care is the same
[Read more...]Sporting challenge
January/February
The competition for hydration supremacy is heating up
[Read more...]Keeping it sweet
January/February
Sugar confectionery just keeps coming up with the goods [Read more...]
Global retail insights
January/February
The Independent convenience retailer as a 'living billboard' for the Brand [Read more...]
Café of convenience
January/February
Serving quality coffee and food can give sales a big lift
[Read more...]Back to basics
January/February
Stocking the right grocery products at the right price is becoming ever more vital
[Read more...]2009
Finding our voice
November/December
At the recent ACAPMA Conference in Hobart, ACCC Petrol Commissioner Joe Dimasi was asked to critique the fuel industry and its representative associations. His view: the industry has no voice.
[Read more...]Taking stock
November/December
Meet the C&I store operators who like to look before they leap [Read more...]
Up close & personal
November/December
Australia's ever busier consumers are increasingly looking to their local convenience and impulse outlet to provide them with everything they want exactly when they want it. That means that – as well as tobacco, cool beverages, confectionery and bread – convenience and impulse shoppers also expect to find personal care products such as razors, tissues, condoms, deodorants, sanitary products and analgesics on the shelves. [Read more...]
Freezer fever
November/December
Summer's here and ice cream consumers can't wait to find out what's new in the coolest of categories
[Read more...]Counting on BOGOFs buy one, get one free
November/December
How to make the most of Buy-One, Get One Free promotions
[Read more...]Making a splash
November/December
The new breed of functional water is giving something extra to consumers ... and C&I retailers
[Read more...]More than car wash
November/December
Washing at service stations is no longer just about car washing – dog washing and now truck washing are part of the product mix. However, the same principles apply.
[Read more...]Competitive team player
November/December
Fred Harrison, Director and CEO, Ritchies Stores Pty Ltd, considered careers as diverse as professional tennis player and politician, but Ritchies had an eye on him from a young age.
[Read more...]Break out the cigars
November/December
Popular high-margin tobacco segment offers plenty of reason to celebrate
[Read more...]How less choice can help convenience stores win
November/December
Ask shoppers what they think of the range available at a convenience store and chances are that they will say they would like more choice. After all, it seems like the right thing to say. Choice is good. So more choice must be better – or so goes the conventional wisdom. [Read more...]
Future Energy – ACAPMA Conference
November/December
Australia's regional fuel distributors gathered in Hobart on 16–18 September for their annual conference.
[Read more...]Don't let your product get lost in-store
September/October
Is your product stocked in a retail channel where no matter what you do, it just doesn't seem to sell? Perhaps you've tried outlandish POS, bargain bins and price cuts, but your efforts seem to have little impact on shopper behaviour.
[Read more...]Endless energy
September/October
This booming beverages category still has plenty of oomph! [Read more...]
For the family
September/October
When Managing Director for The Distributors, Ryan Maritz, went travelling with a mate in the late 1980s to discover what he wanted to do with his life, he found his calling in the United Kingdom while working for now well-known food retailer Pret A Manger.
[Read more...]BBQ fuel: new looks for some old flames
September/October
2009 is turning out to be a surprising year for the BBQ fuel category, with new products and new approaches to one of the oldest categories on the forecourt.
[Read more...]Good intentions not good enough
September/October
Transport, awards, tobacco and ethanol; 'consistency' rhetoric is creating a confused reality. [Read more...]
Big gap on big discounts: ACCC and the independents
September/October
The views of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and those of independent fuel resellers on the recent 40-cpl supermarket fuel discounts could not be further apart. [Read more...]
Extra sales needed ….. to recover lost profits
September/October
In the current economic climate - when every cent counts - it is essential to count every cent. [Read more...]
What's in a snack?
September/October
A healthy treat can be good for your customers and good for your profits. [Read more...]
Coffee kick
September/October
The undisputed champion of the flavoured milk world just keeps getting stronger [Read more...]
Cooler kings
September/October
Cold hard facts suggest the right refrigeration can spark red-hot sales [Read more...]
How market research can mislead
July/August
Shoppers don't mean to lie, but they do, especially in focus groups.
[Read more...]Counting every cent … and making every cent count…
July/August
How to allocate resources in convenience & impulse retailing [Read more...]
Raising the bars
July/August
Chocolate lifts its game to meet the economic challenges of the times [Read more...]
The three 'Cs' of car care: clean, clear and contemporary
July/August
Car care and automotive products are a basic category in service stations – customers are there with their vehicles after all – and key product suppliers recommend taking it back to basics.
[Read more...]Overfill under review
July/August
Though there is consensus over the need to stop fuel tanks being overfilled at all service stations; there is some controversy over how.
[Read more...]Collateral damage for independents
July/August
If there is a constant in the petroleum industry, it is change.
[Read more...]Not so humble pie
July/August
When the going gets tough, this Aussie convenience icon just keeps on selling [Read more...]
On a roll
July/August
Roll Your Own (RYO) tobacco can save smokers money and, in tough economic times, that's great news for sales [Read more...]
Flying start
July/August
Meet the novice C&I retailer who is already taking her business to new heights [Read more...]
Talking profits
July/August
Telco products help C&I outlets keep in touch with a healthy bottom line [Read more...]
Hot coffee programs
May/June
This in-vogue beverage can deliver the perfect sales figure pick-me-up [Read more...]
The scientific approach
May/June
When Robert Anderson left school in 1984 he had no intention of joining his father Ron and older brother Peter in the fuel business. Now a Director of the family company, APCO Service Stations Pty Ltd, and in charge of APCO's growing franchise regional retail network, Robert originally went his own way for a while. [Read more...]
Survival lessons from the shopper
May/June
Just over 18 months ago the world economy was thrown into turmoil by massive stock market crashes. Traditionally stable businesses began to file for bankruptcy and whilst we have heard many stories of mass redundancies and the savings of retireees being halved, food retailers have survived due to the fundamental need to eat and drink.
[Read more...]To report or not report? ... that is the question
May/June
National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007: Is it a tragedy for the petroleum industry?
[Read more...]Resist and increase impulse sales
May/June
Shoppers will readily tell you that when it comes to shopping, they don't want to buy more, spend more time in store or be distracted from their shopping occasion. They say they're too busy for it and loathe the thought of another marketing message getting in their way or delaying them from their final goal of getting to work, getting home, getting out of the store or from browsing the way they want to.
[Read more...]Bakery bonanza
May/June
Technological advances and changing shopper expectations have revitalised a bread-and-butter convenience category
[Read more...]Maintenance message in a bottle
May/June
Fuel additives are about preventative maintenance for fuel systems and engines, but are motorists getting the message? [Read more...]
Cashing in
May/June
Giving your customers easy access to their money makes the till rolls go round
[Read more...]White milk magic
May/June
What's the secret to the ongoing success of this traditional - yet ever-innovating - dairy favourite?
[Read more...]VR2 and you
May/June
NSW legislation for stage 2 vapour recovery is near finalisation; implementation starts next year. It will cost designated service stations (initially larger sites in Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong and the Central Coast) time and money, plus lost business due to site disruption. Other states are likely to follow and, over time, the entire fuel industry will be affected to some extent. Everyone needs to be ready.
[Read more...]The ice tea cometh
March/April
Look out fizzies! Look out water! There's a new beverage in fridge town ... and it's one very cool customer [Read more...]
UPSS compliance update
March/April
It's time to meet (exceed and anticipate) environmental regulations with a sound 'future-proof' UPSS, that includes – at minimum – an effective leak detection system. [Read more...]
Breakfast on the move
March/April
The most important meal of the day gets C-Store sales day off to a flying start [Read more...]
30 years stepping out in retailing
March/April
When Peter Struck returned to Australia in 2005 to lead the marketing and merchandising team at Coles Express he had a 26-year career in innovative retailing to draw on. Not only has he witnessed the evolution of the C-Store, he has had a significant influence on its direction and he is at the leading edge of change yet again. [Read more...]
Tobacco road
March/April
Despite facing many challenges, this category continues to be a major driver of C-Store profits
[Read more...]ACCC reports on the fuel industry
March/April
Under direction from the Commonwealth Minister for Competition and Consumer Affairs, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) will report on 17 December each year on its monitoring of the Australian petroleum industry, in particular the prices, costs and profits of unleaded petrol. [Read more...]
Convenience finance… the missing link?
March/April
Improving commercial skills in modern convenience retail [Read more...]
Hot stuff
March/April
While the convenience store's hot food offer has undergone a minor revolution in recent years, with branded food systems and fresh bakery concepts growing in influence, the fact is that traditional C-Store staples like the microwave burger and the good old Aussie pie and sausage roll continue to pack a mighty punch in this highly profitable category.
[Read more...]UPSS Regulation Update
January/February
In anticipation of the forecourt feature on underground petroleum storage systems scheduled for March-April 2009 issue, Australian Convenience Store News takes stock of the relevant state and territory regulations. [Read more...]
Cola king
January/February
There's still plenty of fizz left in this beverages heavyweight [Read more...]
Secure your site: Technology to the rescue
January/February
In the shop it's all about shrinkage and safety, while on the forecourt it's failure to pay and drive-offs that are 'stealing' from fuel retailers. Do not despair, the latest technology is coming to the rescue. [Read more...]
Snack attack
January/February
How to make sure your in-a-rush customers don't leave the store hungry [Read more...]
Building on Experience
January/February
From 12 year old C-Store shop assistant to senior supply industry executive: While others were still at school, Mark Harris, General Manager Sales & Marketing for Campbells Wholesale, was constructing a career out of hard work and experience. [Read more...]
Competing against the major retailers in the Australian grocery market
January/February
Because of the large share of retail business in the hands of a few major retailers in most countries but especially in Australia, it is important for Medium and Smaller retailers to use a planned approach to competing with the local branches of major chain stores.
[Read more...]Slushy love story
January/February
Icy drinks are melting the hearts of both consumers and margin-loving C-Store operators [Read more...]
Perfect mix
January/February
When it comes to a running a profitable convenience store or fuel outlet, one of the keys to success is the same as it is in buying real estate ... location, location and location. [Read more...]
2008
Stock answers
November/December
Smart management of the highly-profitable tobacco category really pays dividends [Read more...]
Sweeter than ever
November/December
Why sugar confectionery is always flavour of the month [Read more...]
Plug in, petrol out
November/December
The latest technology news from the automotive sector points to a brave new world of cars powered by mains electricity and 'filling up' through a 3-pin plug connected to a household power point. [Read more...]
Smell sells … but only the best will do
November/December
The 'retreat to quality' in the car air freshener category can only be a good thing for service station retailers. [Read more...]
Still flavour of the month
November/December
Flavoured milk continues its dream ride aboard the health and wellness express. [Read more...]
Drinks Driver
September/October
Clever cool beverage management can really rev up your bottom line [Read more...]
Clean Up
September/October
Clean, well-maintained, convenient - modern car wash units are helping their owners 'clean up' with big profits.
[Read more...]Safe as houses
September/October
The right cash-handling system is worth its weight in gold [Read more...]
Working in exciting times
September/October
When David Purchase became Executive Director with the Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC), he had 'come home'. [Read more...]
Preparing for the Ice Age
September/October
Summer is nearly upon us … and C-Stores that haven't adequately planned for the imminent spike in the demand for ice are running the risk of watching a golden profit-making opportunity simply melt away. [Read more...]
Service Station OHS
September/October
Seek and ye shall find … only if you look in the right place! [Read more...]
Paradise found?
September/October
Owning a small-town town convenience store can be a dream come true ... but it's still very hard work [Read more...]
More 'fuel for thought'
September/October
Just as CSIRO released its 'Fuel for thought' which modeled, among other things, the effect of emissions trading, the Government released its Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper. [Read more...]
Car Care & Automotive: from the customer's point of view
July/August
It pays to think about the car care and automotive category from the customer's point of view. If they know there are products to make their vehicle safer, more reliable, cleaner and more attractive, and their motoring experience more enjoyable, they will buy them. [Read more...]
Australian motorists buying less petrol
July/August
On 29 May 2008, energy economics group EnergyQuest reported that motorists are changing their petrol-buying habits in response to Australia's record petrol prices. However, sales of diesel fuel continue to grow strongly, driven by demand from business and truck owners, who have fewer alternatives for fuel or the ability to reduce the amount of traveling they do. [Read more...]
'Fuel for thought' reports on sustainable future
July/August
With increasing concern over Australia's dependence on fossil fuel, a recently published report has called for immediate action to significantly cut the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions, providing feasible options for Australia's fuel future. [Read more...]
Coffee keeps cool
July/August
C-Store consumers still can't get enough of the undisputed king of the flavoured milk world [Read more...]
Snacks Attack
July/August
Don't let a poorly planned snacking range eat into your bottom line [Read more...]
The 'C' Facto
July/August
How a convenience blueprint put a small-town supermarket on the road to glory [Read more...]
Smoke signals
July/August
Roll-your-own tobacco, cigars and smoking accessories continue to rise to the challenges [Read more...]
Champion of the Channel
May/June
Some readers will be aware, but many may not, that much of today's successful C-Store plano-grams and tactical category management, while the result of many people's input, have occurred due to the significant contribution of one man — Sam Haritos — now P&C National Business Manager with Australian Convenience Foods (ACF). [Read more...]
Hot Chocolate
May/June
Hot chocolate Sales of bars and blocks boom as the cold winter weather bites [Read more...]
United they stand
May/June
Budding entrepreneurs are coming together at a very special service station in Victoria … and the customers are loving it!
[Read more...]Crunch time
May/June
Chips and dips love a good party but they also have a quieter side [Read more...]
It's a must-have category …. but manage it well
May/June
Nearly every C-Store sells newspapers and magazines — it's a 'must-have' category. However, making the best of the opportunity needs active management. [Read more...]
The National FuelWatch Scheme
May/June
On 15 April 2008, not long after new Petrol Commissioner Pat Walker arrived at the ACCC, the Federal Cabinet announced the establishment of the National FuelWatch Scheme. [Read more...]
Not so humble pie
May/June
This convenience store legend continues to stand the test of time [Read more...]
Made to measure
March/April
The newly re-developed Gull Bellevue store is a perfect fit with the area in which it sits [Read more...]
Brand Matters – The importance of brand loyalty in the tobacco category
March/April
Brand matters a lot in the tobacco category and, even though it is not everything, it means retailers need to know what brands their customers want [Read more...]
On the record
March/April
The four key associations representing fuel retailers go on the record about the big issues in 2008. [Read more...]
Food, glorious food
March/April
People leading ever-more frantic lifestyles are increasingly choosing to eat on-the-run … and that means a hot opportunity for C-Stores [Read more...]
Milky Way
March/April
When it comes to pulling a C-Store crowd, this old favourite is still a star performer
[Read more...]Escape & containment: keeping hydrocarbons ‘locked down’ in service stations
March/April
Like Houdini, hydrocarbons are great escapologists, and can get away from you through the air, under the ground or down the drain.
[Read more...]Wesfarmers — the new old player in fuel retailing
January/February
Out of the wild west has emerged a company that could have a significant impact on Australian service station forecourts for years to come. [Read more...]
Rising water
January/February
Health-conscious customers send C-Stores a message in a bottle … ‘give us more’. [Read more...]
Talk is cheap ...
January/February
...and that’s why telco products are flying out the C-Store door [Read more...]
Bugs Clean Up at Port Stanvac
January/February
In another first for Australian research, the CRC for Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment is trialling new technologies aimed at cleaning up petroleum-contaminated sites. [Read more...]
RRPs for fuel – only in Queensland!
January/February
Readers of November/December 2007 issue of Australian Convenience Store News will recall that the Queensland Fuel Subsidy Commission of Inquiry was prompted by conclusions reached by the Queensland Treasury Fuel Task Force that the full 8.3 cents per litre subsidy was not reaching motorists. The inquiry reported in November, with a novel recommendation – recommended retail prices for ULP and diesel. [Read more...]
Food for thought
January/February
Are you doing enough to satisfy the mid-morning stampede of hungry customers? [Read more...]
Fuel retailers need fuel additives
January/February
Just when motorists are becoming more aware of the need for fuel additives, service stations are ranging less SKUs and hiding them from view. It’s time to re-evaluate service station fuel additive strategies. [Read more...]
Creating brands out of banners
January/February
Historically, banner groups brought groups of retailers together mainly to secure favourable trading terms. Today, supply terms still matter, but brand is the banner, and the branded groups have a whole lot more to offer independent retailers. [Read more...]
ACCC report focuses on the refiner–marketers
January/February
The ACCC took a massive 262 pages (and another 120 pages of appendixes) to ‘conclude that the unleaded petrol industry in Australia is fundamentally competitive’. Even so, the major oil companies have been singled out for further scrutiny. [Read more...]
2007
By Popular Demand
November/December
Welcome to a store designed and created with one revolutionary theory in mind … the customer really does know best! [Read more...]
Probing the price of petrol
November/December
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is undertaking yet another petrol price inquiry, while the Queensland Government asks, “Who is pocketing the fuel subsidy?” [Read more...]
Oilcode DRA update
November/December
The Oilcode has been up and running for nine months. So, Australian Convenience Store News asked Dispute Resolution Adviser, David Newton, how things were going. [Read more...]
Full of beans
November/December
The iced coffee revolution still has plenty of get up and go! [Read more...]
Cigar time
November/December
Despite the ongoing challenges, some tobacco segments remain remarkably resilient. [Read more...]
The new ice age
November/December
A stack of exciting innovations look set to keep ice cream hotter than ever [Read more...]
Save water and sustain the car wash boom
November/December
Car wash is still all about water - but it is not as straightforward as thought when the category was reviewed by Australian Convenience Store News this time last year. [Read more...]
It's personal
November/December
The once-neglected category of personal care products is now getting a lot of attention from suppliers, and this can only be a plus for channel retailers. [Read more...]
Back to the future
September/October
Friendly service, quality products, a relaxed atmosphere … the elegant convenience shopping experience is alive and well, and living on the Mornington Peninsula. [Read more...]
Opportunity Knocks
September/October
When it comes to healthy snacks, customers and suppliers are looking after themselves. It's time convenience retailers did too. [Read more...]
Summer sales sizzle with BBQ fuel
September/October
Smart retailers will see their sales sizzle this summer with a BBQ fuel offer to suit their store. [Read more...]
Hook, line and sinker
September/October
Stocking fishing bait and tackle can help to ensure that your next customer doesn't become the one that got away. [Read more...]
Thirsty for more
September/October
Cool drinks are a hot item in the summer months … but has your fridge got what it takes to make your bottom line sizzle? [Read more...]
Biofuels
September/October
This time last year, Australian Convenience Store News tagged 2006 as the year that resurrected ethanol. 2007 is shaping up as the year that biofuels finally arrive. [Read more...]
Breath of fresh air
September/October
The introduction of exciting new flavours and innovative new packaging has added yet more interest to the highly-profitable gum and breath fresheners category. [Read more...]
Healthy competition
July/August
The proliferation of juice bars in towns and cities across Australia offers compelling evidence that the public is embracing these fruit-based and vegetable-based beverages like never before. [Read more...]
Independents innocent - ACCC loses price fixing case in the Federal Court
July/August
In an important decision for independent fuel retailers, a Federal Court judge dismissed the ACCC’s petrol price fixing case against eight fuel retailing companies and 10 individuals operating in the Geelong market. Not only is the judgement a great relief for the retailers involved, it has important lessons for independent fuel retailers now and in the future. [Read more...]
Careers of convenience
July/August
How an architect and an engineer built a C-Store success story... [Read more...]
Quintessential Oil Man - A conversation with Garth Symington
July/August
When Garth Symington accepted the role of General Manager for APADA (Australian Petroleum Agents and Distributors Association) some eight years ago, he brought with him the experience and insight of more than 30 years in a quintessential oil company career with Mobil Oil Australia. [Read more...]
Cash in on your chips
July/August
When it comes to the crunch, crisps are hard to beat. [Read more...]
Where indulgence rules
July/August
C-Store sweet treats can still hold their own in an increasingly healthy world. [Read more...]
The smell of money
July/August
The car air freshener is the most impulsive product in the car care range and one of the most profitable. [Read more...]
People looking after people
May/June
There are few people as knowledgeable and influential in the Australian grocery business as Andrew Reitzer. As CEO of Metcash Trading Limited Australasia, Andrew Reitzer is responsible for 19% of Australian supermarket sales through IGA Distribution, taking on the duopoly power of Woolworths and Coles that together hold 76% market share. [Read more...]
Associations in demarcation scrap
May/June
The proposed merger between the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) and the Australian Petroleum Agents and Distributors Association (APADA) has hit an unexpected snag. [Read more...]
White gold
May/June
It may have changed a little along the way, but milk has been the cornerstone of C-Store success for as long as anyone can remember. [Read more...]
Still as sweet as pie
May/June
Although prices have been rising, convenience store operators and their customers remain fiercely loyal to this tasty Aussie icon … and there are plenty of reasons why. [Read more...]
Meet David Newton — Oilcode Dispute Resolution Adviser
May/June
Oilcode commenced on 1 March, and a key part of the code is the appointment of a Dispute Resolution Adviser (DRA). Here, ACSN talks to David Newton, the new DRA. [Read more...]
Some like it cold
May/June
Ice tea is shaping up to be the next big thing as C-Store customers seek out healthier beverages [Read more...]
Comply or get out
May/June
No more excuses; leak detection is now a core task for all fuel retailers; and the procedures and technology just keep getting better. [Read more...]
Chew like buggery - A conversation with Russ Withers
March/April
When 7-Eleven Australia celebrates 30 years of convenience retailing in August this year, Chairman Russ Withers will have 'officially' been in the grocery business for nearly 40 years, but really it has been more like 60 years. [Read more...]
‘Centrelisation’
March/April
The recent merger of three BP distributorships is adding to the competitive challenge in rural and regional markets. [Read more...]
Community spirit
March/April
Sometimes retail success is measured in more than dollars and cents. That’s why shop owner Michael Lorenz believes in giving something back. [Read more...]
Get the product mix right …
March/April
Car care and automotive products have a natural place in service station stores — the car is on the forecourt and the driver is in the shop. So, encourage sales with the right range, fair prices and a bit of creative marketing. [Read more...]
Vive la difference
March/April
While energy drinks and sports drinks appeal to distinct customers, they still have plenty in common … like enormous growth and fantastic profit potential [Read more...]
Ringing the changes
March/April
If C-Stores want to keep talking to their increasingly high-tech customers, they need to keep up with the dynamic world of telecommunications [Read more...]
Rising to the Challenge
March/April
Roll your own tobacco has been performing strongly despite new restrictions on display and marketing [Read more...]
Read all about it
March/April
It seems all news is good news when it comes to the sale of publications through convenience [Read more...]
Petrol Prices in Australia
January/February
When the Senate Economics Committee reported on petrol prices in December 2006, it triggered little more than a collective stifled yawn within the industry. The reaction was strongest within the committee itself! [Read more...]
Fuel Discount Loyalty Programs revisited
January/February
In the September-October 2005 issue of Australian Convenience Store News, in-house market guru presciently wrote, "It makes you wonder whether 10 cpl is where things are headed." It may have only been for the pre-Christmas silly season but 10 cpl was the fuel price discount offer of the major supermarkets as this issue went to press. Although loyalty programs are starting to look beyond fuel, the fuel price discount is still the reward of choice. [Read more...]
Not an open-and-shut case
January/February
Refrigerated merchandisers are an important and growing source of profit, but there's a lot to think about. [Read more...]
Wake up and smell the coffee
January/February
The new buzz around the flavoured milk segment is encouraging more C-Stores to find extra space in the fridge. [Read more...]
Water, water everywhere
January/February
The overseas market is sending Aussie C-Stores a message in a bottle - sell more of our most precious resource or see your profits watered down. [Read more...]
Basic impulse
January/February
Health and wellbeing may be all the rage, but C-Store customers still can't resist a little indulgence - and the confectionery category is moving with the times. [Read more...]
Profits in paradise
January/February
The retail action never stops and the till never sleeps when you own a 24-hour convenience store in the heart of Byron Bay's bustling city centre [Read more...]
2006
Litigation – a beginner’s guide
November/December
Representing yourself in court can be a daunting exercise - unless you are very familiar with the court system. [Read more...]
Car Wash – it’s all about water
November/December
As the nation-wide drought shows no sign of breaking, Australians’ attitudes to water are changing. That means strong growth in the use of commercial car washes, and an opportunity for service stations. At the same time, increasingly tight water restrictions mean that water recycling is an essential component of every car wash set-up. [Read more...]
Alternative Energy
November/December
Can the rising star of the drinks fridge give your bottom line more get-up-and-go than the traditional high performers? [Read more...]
The sweet tooth is out there
November/December
Despite the significant challenges facing the sugar confectionery category, creative lolly makers are still finding ways to reach new customers. [Read more...]
Having the competition for breakfast
November/December
Can innovations inspired by the health and convenience trend turn breakfast into the most profitable meal of the day? [Read more...]
(Stock)weighty issues in tobacco retailing
November/December
Stockouts cost in more ways than one. Here are some suggestions on how to keep these costs to a minimum. [Read more...]
Are merchant fees biting into your profit?
November/December
We’ve already looked at the effect of soaring petrol prices on your business; now, in this issue we address the cost of merchant fees. [Read more...]
The New Order
September/October
Switched-on C-Store operators are increasingly choosing to order new stock online ... and given the potential savings in time and money it's easy to see why. [Read more...]
Every sale is a special occasion
September/October
A greeting card and a bunch of flowers will bring joy to the recipient ... and to the well-stocked c-store operator who sells them. [Read more...]
Slim sippings sweeten sales
September/October
The growing popularity of low-sugar and sugar-free beverages could help to make C-Store profit margins all the sweeter in the years to come, as healthy customers continue to demand ever healthier products [Read more...]
Your Will
September/October
A Will is an important legal document that will ensure the smooth transfer of your property to your beneficiaries when you die. If you are concerned about who will receive your assets, then you should make a Will. [Read more...]
Aided, not Addled, by Additives
September/October
With the fuel additives category you can turn challenges – consumer confusion and high fuel prices – into opportunities. Here, the major suppliers of additives discuss how. [Read more...]
Resurrecting Ethanol
September/October
When Australian Convenience Store News reported on the ethanol debate some three years ago, the then Commonwealth Environment Minister, Dr David Kemp, predicted that "a 10% limit on ethanol blends, combined with mandatory Commonwealth labelling of ethanol blends, would restore confidence in the use of ethanol blends among consumers and industry". It did not happen straight away, but 2006 is turning out to be the year that resurrects ethanol. [Read more...]
Trying harder to tempt the cooling consumer
September/October
It's been a flat market for ice cream sales over the last twelve months or so. But the major manufacturers know that innovation is the key to sales growth and have some interesting products and some big promotions planned for summer. [Read more...]
Soaring Petrol Prices – what comes next
September/October
Accountant, Geoff Coy looks at fuel prices twelve months down the track and the effect on one particular business. [Read more...]
Servos Under Seige
July/August
Customers complain about fuel prices and credit card surcharges while the powers-that-be stumble over old ground. Such is the lot of the fuel retailer; caught somewhere between the proverbial rock and a hard place.
[Read more...]Case Study highlights perils of inadequate Wet Stock control
July/August
The case study highlights the experiences of one site operator whose site closed following the catastrophic failure of one of the tanks on site. The site operator has given his permission to publish this article in the hope that others will learn from his experience and ensure they have systems in place that will give early warning of tank leaks and prevent them from going undetected for a long period.
[Read more...]To buy or not to buy?
July/August
How to get customers to make more of those unplanned impulse purchases, that is the question. Keeping abreast of changes in the lucrative chocolate bar segment could be the answer.
[Read more...]Effective Tobacco Display
July/August
As display restrictions continue to tighten, effective tobacco display becomes critical for convenience and route retailers because the tobacco products category is still one of the biggest contributors to sales and profits.
[Read more...]How much is enough?
July/August
Geoff Coy, Accountant, looks at the various types of insurance you may need for your business.
[Read more...]Even the profits are healthy
July/August
Nutritious snacks may be good for your customers ... but they can be even better for your bottom line.
[Read more...]Work Choices: Employer rights & obligations
July/August
Where the new federal Work Choices legislation applies, employers' rights have been significantly boosted. But employers have an obligation to exercise them in good faith.
[Read more...]White milk keeps its cool
July/August
There's no shortage of flavoured competition in the fridge these days, but it's still white milk that keeps most customers coming back for more.
[Read more...]Put yourself in the driving seat
July/August
There's still plenty of mileage in car care products ... and stocking a good range can help put you on the road to bigger profits.
[Read more...]Grab a slice of the pie ? dashboard dining is all the rage
May/June
There's a revolution brewing in the competitive world of the Aussie meat pie ? and C-Stores are uniquely well placed to grab a slice of the highly-profitable action. [Read more...]
Putting the fizz back in a flat category
May/June
Carbonated flavoured soft drinks are the mainstay of the beverage market but their dominance has been under serious threat from other beverages. For a while there it looked like suppliers had abandoned the category. Not so. New products and relaunches of established brands are putting the fizz back into the category and giving it a 'good old-fashioned' healthy 'new' image. [Read more...]
Your obligations relating to workplace safety
May/June
Escalating worker's compensation claims for white collar work show that workplace safety is not restricted to the traditionally dangerous work environments. [Read more...]
Superannuation Update
May/June
As the end of another financial year approaches, superannuation issues may be worth giving some consideration. [Read more...]
Cleaning up our act
May/June
It's time to pull our heads out of the sand (but hopefully, not our tanks out of the ground) because prevention is better than cure - and the issue of contamination may not be so scary after all. [Read more...]
Sales are strong ... and still growing
May/June
Flavoured milk has broad taste appeal, and is enjoyed by a varied demographic; the future for the segment looks bright. [Read more...]
As good as it gets
May/June
In terms of profit per cubic centimetre of shelf space, gum and breath fresheners are about as good as it gets. [Read more...]
Make it convenient... see the profits sizzle
March/April
AUSTRALIA'S love affair with the barbecue is as passionate as ever, and service station operators who properly cater to the needs of barbie lovers should enjoy sizzling profits. [Read more...]
Public Liability - minimise your risk
March/April
Public liability has been reined in, some changes have been made and there are things YOU can do to minimise YOUR public liability risk. [Read more...]
Tasty Turnover
March/April
In real estate it's the three 'Ls', in salty snacks it's the three T's: Taste, Tasty, Tastier. [Read more...]
Driveway Assistance - aka 'Good Old-Fashioned Service'
March/April
The VACC's Driveway Assistance initiative is supporting Victoria's independent service stations and the Victorian community. Now, it is time for the rest of Australia to realise the benefits.
[Read more...]Retailers reap sweet rewards
March/April
Get it wrong and you could get stuck with a batch of stock that never became the "in" thing, but get it right and the potential rewards are enormous [Read more...]
Income Protection Insurance
March/April
Why you should (or shouldn't) consider income protection insurance for your business. [Read more...]
Don't break out in a sweat over sports drinks
March/April
It seems you don't have to play sport to benefit from sports drinks - you only have to sweat. As convenience retailers you don't have to sweat too much to recover good returns from this growth beverage category. [Read more...]
Today's smoker
March/April
With negative community attitudes and restrictive regulations putting pressure on smokers and retailers alike, it is more important than ever to know your smokers today. [Read more...]
2005
Tobacco on the loose
November/December
Other tobacco products (that is, everything other than tailor-made cigarettes), make up less than 20% of category sales. But, margins are higher and smokers' habits are changing. You may need to change your tobacco category mix to match. [Read more...]
Self Managed Super Funds - Are they right for you?
November/December
Geoff Coy, Accountant, looks at the pros and cons of switching to a Self Managed Super Fund. [Read more...]
Ice Up for Summer
November/December
Summer is here and the Christmas break is only a few weeks away. Do you have your ice offer ready for the busiest time of the year? [Read more...]
Watch out for TRAPS in your LEASE
November/December
Hien Duong, Solicitor, offers tips to help keep you out of trouble when negotiating your lease transactions. [Read more...]
Oilcode by 2006?
November/December
With the 'big' issues of industrial relations and terrorism legislation on the agenda for the last sitting of Parliament for 2005, it does not look like the introduction of Oilcode and the end to the franchise and sites acts will get a look-in this year. This is despite Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane's announcement in December 2004 that he would proceed with reform of the retail petroleum sector, "repealing outdated legislation and improving representation of independent service station operators." [Read more...]
Surviving the end of cheap petrol
November/December
There is no shortage of news and views on the impact of current high petrol prices, but none looks at the issue from your point of view, until now. [Read more...]
APCO and Anderson appeal
November/December
The Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported on 18 August 2005 that the full bench of the Federal Court set aside fines of $3 million against APCO Service Stations and $200,000 against Managing Director, Peter Joseph Anderson. [Read more...]
More than the sum of the parts
November/December
Automotive products offer fuel retailers consistent year-round sales with healthy margins. But you need to be careful not to try to be a de facto parts outlet. The types of automotive products that do well at convenience stores are quite specific. [Read more...]
Better for you
November/December
They are better for you (the retailers) because they are better for them (the customers). [Read more...]
Non supply riles C-Store operators
November/December
The much-published fight between convenience stores and the pharmaceutical industry is generating more heat than light, as store operators complain that they are being excluded from the lucrative quit-smoking business. Some stores have sidestepped the problem with indirect supply. [Read more...]
Stocking what sells
September/October
With the confectionery category worth over $3 billion, you will do yourself a service to manage it with care. [Read more...]
Cola?s Still a Hit ? No Myth
September/October
Even though the shift away from soft drinks towards other beverages is transforming Australia?s ?stomach?, cola remains the most popular drink in the fridge. [Read more...]
When & how to use a solicitor
September/October
Hien Duong, Lawyer, shares his professional insights on choosing a solicitor - and optimising the services they provide. [Read more...]
Workers Compensation Insurance
September/October
In this article, Accountant Geoff Coy looks at your obligations as an employer under current workers compensation legislation and why you may be targeted for an audit. [Read more...]
New ice cream products coming your way
September/October
Summer is about to kick in. Sunshine, long days, beach holidays, golden tans and of course lots of ice cream! Along with the tried and true classic sellers, the Ice Cream market is gearing itself to cater for an endless variety of summer tastes with new products ready to hit your store. [Read more...]
The Power of CPL - Crazy People Lining up on a forecourt
September/October
The consumer response to the supermarket 4-cent deals eroded the fuel and non-fuel markets of nearly every other retailer in Australia. Now there is a petrol price discount program for everybody. [Read more...]
Must I? Can I? Should I? How Do I? - The questions (and answers) in buying electricity
September/October
With ?contestability? in the retail electricity sector already phased in across the eastern seaboard, and some form of retail competition in place or planned in all jurisdictions, every one of Australian Convenience Store News? 21,000 readers will find something useful in this feature. [Read more...]
States state their case on Leaks
July/August
The Victorians might have started it but they are not going to have the last word on leak detection ? monitoring is going national. [Read more...]
Fresh Ideas
July/August
Just as there are many ways to skin a cat - definitely a smelly business - there are lots of options in the car air freshening market - more than you might expect. [Read more...]
Fast Breakfast
July/August
Your morning customers are hungry and in a hurry. Do you have what they are hungry for - where they can find it? [Read more...]
Pioneering Potatoes
July/August
2005 is all about innovation, creating potato chips for everyone – tasty, healthy and indulgent. [Read more...]
Get classified and “cashified
July/August
Adult magazines are in a class of their own. This special category is not for everyone, but managed well it generates excellent returns. [Read more...]
In-Store Systems: Emerging Technologies
May/June
We asked 17 savvy suppliers what's coming - in terms of the technologies driving the in-store systems of the future. It seems you no longer need flex to be flexible, but you do need to be 'enabled'. [Read more...]
Responsible retailing is the key
May/June
In a tough regulatory environment, it is good to know that the fundamentals of category management do not change from year to year. [Read more...]
The politics of harm reduction
May/June
The following are edited excerpts from a speech given by Mr David Davies, Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs, Philip Morris International, to the National Press Club last month. [Read more...]
From Leak Detection to Business Intelligence
May/June
When the Victorian EPA introduced its leak detection guidelines it did more than stop fuel leaks, it heralded a new era in wet stock management. [Read more...]
Bread - use your loaf!
May/June
Daily bread sales might be falling but can you afford to lose interest in such a basic item? Here is what you 'knead' to get the dough rising again in packaged bread. [Read more...]
From Leak Detection to Business Intelligence
May/June
When the Victorian EPA introduced its leak detection guidelines it did more than stop fuel leaks, it heralded a new era in wet stock management. [Read more...]
Business Planning - 2
May/June
In this article Accountant, Geoff Coy, looks at the numbers involved in developing a business plan for your business. [Read more...]
Petrol Price Discounts: the new pull
March/April
Sex sells! Or does it? These days, petrol discounts are ?it? whether you are selling home loans or home-style cakes. The petrol discount voucher is drawing traffic to participating service stations. Can you afford not to be involved? More importantly, can you find an affordable place in the scheme of things? [Read more...]
Managing your newspapers and magazines
March/April
The profit from selling publications may not be very big, but your customers still expect to find them at your service station. And satisfying your customers so they choose to return to your service station is essential to building a profitable business. [Read more...]
Business planning is essential
March/April
Geoff Coy, Accountant, offers suggestions on how to go about developing a business plan for your business. [Read more...]
Petrol Price Discounts: the new pull
March/April
Sex sells! Or does it? These days, petrol discounts are ‘it’ whether you are selling home loans or home-style cakes. The petrol discount voucher is drawing traffic to participating service stations. Can you afford not to be involved? More importantly, can you find an affordable place in the scheme of things? [Read more...]
Bucks in a bottle
March/April
We are made of water: 75% of our brains, 95% of our blood and 100% of our sweat and tears. We last only a couple of days without it, and you would not last long in convenience retailing without bottled water on offer. [Read more...]
Outback servos - a traveller's tale
March/April
An Outback roadhouse can be a day out in itself. These service station stops are an event, a much-loved part of a travelling routine. [Read more...]
Telco services - the invisible earner
March/April
Electronic prepaid telco services are an amazing opportunity in convenience, but you need to make their presence known. [Read more...]
Employment Contracts - making them convenient
March/April
Convenience store customers expect to receive courteous and efficient service 24/7. That’s why convenience store owners and managers need greater convenience in employing staff. This means freedom for the employer and employee to understand and agree directly on the terms and conditions of work. [Read more...]
Don?t add fuel to the fire, add additives to the fuel
January/February
There can be no argument against tightening fuel standards and specifications designed to improve the health and well-being of all Australians. Part of the cost of better air quality is the detrimental effect on some engines. The solution is to make sure your customers have ready access to the fuel additives that ameliorate these effects. [Read more...]
Milk: our first food
January/February
Despite slow growth overall and a shift towards the supermarkets, there are still opportunities to do well out of fresh white milk in convenience. It is a basic product that you must stock, so: be open to new ideas, range new products, give white milk its fair share of the fridge, and keep it clean and tidy. [Read more...]
Milk: our first food
January/February
Despite slow growth overall and a shift towards the supermarkets, there are still opportunities to do well out of fresh white milk in convenience. It is a basic product that you must stock, so: be open to new ideas, range new products, give white milk its fair share of the fridge, and keep it clean and tidy. [Read more...]
Slop, Smooth, Slide
January/February
For sun protection this year, your customers will slop on sunscreen, smooth on lip balm, and slide on a pair of sunglasses. You can sell them all three and make a sunny profit. [Read more...]
LOW CARB: A new category
January/February
Walk into any large supermarket, check out the Health Food section and you’ll notice a new category of snack bars. It’s low in refined carbohydrate; it’s high in protein and it’s making a move into convenience stores. [Read more...]
Don't add fuel to the fire, add additives to the fuel
January/February
There can be no argument against tightening fuel standards and specifications designed to improve the health and well-being of all Australians. Part of the cost of better air quality is the detrimental effect on some engines. The solution is to make sure your customers have ready access to the fuel additives that ameliorate these effects. [Read more...]
Watering down the car wash
January/February
Forget the concept of wet and wild. These days the car wash industry is focussing on minimising water consumption, a decision made by the industry itself to meet the challenge of a dry country and protect its own future. ACSN looks at the changes.. [Read more...]
The 80/20 Rule
January/February
In this article, Accountant Geoff Coy looks at the old 80/20 rule and how it applies to the service station and convenience store industry.Anyone running a service station or convenience store will know there are more things impacting you and your business than ever before. [Read more...]
2004
Focus: Rural & regional retailing
November/December
Is the recent expansion of supermarket chains into fuel retailing hastening the demise of the traditional country servo?
[Read more...]Social Responsibility
November/December
Retailers should be in no doubt about where the tobacco companies stand on tobacco regulation. In September, Andrew White, Philip Morris Asia Ltd Vice President for Corporate Affairs, addressed a Melbourne meeting of the Centre for Economic Development of Australia. The subject was Social Responsibility. During his address, Mr White explained that if we accept smoking causes serious disease and that some people will continue to smoke even when they are aware of the risks, then strong regulation of tobacco makes good sense.
[Read more...]Tobacco Merchandising Within the Law
November/December
Despite tight regulations on advertising, display and promotion of tobacco products, you can still effectively merchandise within the law .... at least for now.
[Read more...]Snack Attack
November/December
With people working longer hours and more working people in the household, there is a shift away from three home-cooked meals each day towards ready-to-eat food, grazing and snacking.
[Read more...]A New Generation of Drinks
November/December
Drinks manufacturers have launched a New Generation of several hundred novel soft drink and juice or milk based variants in the last 18 months. Of these, just over 200 have turned up in significant volumes in fridges at convenience outlets. Mind you, there have been a similar number of product deletions. So just what’s going on in the drinks market? [Read more...]
Financial Analysis
November/December
Geoff Coy clarifies some of the items of financial analysis you should consider in order to run your business profitably.
[Read more...]ATMs: Sur(char)ging Ahead
November/December
Growth in off-premise ATM installations grew beyond expectations in the past two years and is set for another surge with the introduction of direct charging in 2005. But, before you rush to go with the tide, prepare yourself to negotiate a contract that works for you now - and into the future.
[Read more...]Fuel and the Federal Election
September/October
It’s federal election time again, and the choice is not clear-cut for fuel retailers and other small businesses.
[Read more...]What's New in Security?
September/October
When it comes to security, C-Store owners and operators tend to fall into two groups: those who have learned - either the easy or the hard way - that a modern, well-designed security system is protecting their honest customers and staff and saving them money and time in more ways than one; and the others. For the latter group, you need to ask yourself, "How secure are my staff, my cash, my fuel, my stock, and my 'ass' (against insurance claims)?"
[Read more...]Product safety regulations - it's vital to keep up-to-date
September/October
The Trade Practices Act 1974 allows anyone to claim for personal injury or damage to private property because of a product defect, so it's vital that you keep abreast of product safety regulations.
[Read more...]Lifting the (chocolate) bar
September/October
Everyone loves chocolate and, in convenience, chocolate means chocolate bars. Some hunger for a king size bar and scoff the lot; others savour the flavour and treat it as a treat. This year, more of your customers will find what they are looking for with brand extensions and new formats for old favourites and the arrival of the new premium bars.
[Read more...]The best summer ever
September/October
The ice cream season is almost here again, and the manufacturers have produced another raft of taste sensations to tantalize your customers' taste buds. For retailers it could mean the best of times. [Read more...]
Sugar-free goes fruity
July/August
Despite some not so successful product launches in the past couple of years the sugar-free confectionery category is expanding due to the success of key, focused brands. By adding fruit flavours to the range, suppliers are widening the market's base (but not that of your customers).
[Read more...]State of The industry
July/August
Service station operators in Victoria and Tasmania voice their concerns over the future viability of their businesses.
[Read more...]Customers want a broader range
July/August
Once upon a time, the choice was easy. There was plain, or chocolate or coffee or strawberry and not much else. And it was, pure and simple, a beverage – but not any more. ACSN looks at the flavoured milk segment….
[Read more...]It has to be easy
July/August
While no-one doubts that a food offering is a must-have for a convenience store, it can be a minefield of issues, not the least being food safety. There’s no surprise in the fact that a heat ‘n’ eat product has distinct advantages.Defining “Heat 'n’ Eat” is easy, and so is cooking it, or so it would appear.
[Read more...]Use the technology - to best serve you
July/August
The customer might be king in your shop but when it comes to electronic ordering, you make the rules. The technology is there to serve you, so make the most of it.
[Read more...]Shopper Dockets
July/August
Shopper dockets, which enable supermarket customers to obtain discounted petrol, have been around long enough to demonstrate that consumers benefit. A major role of the ACCC is to promote consumer welfare by encouraging healthy and vigorous competition between businesses, big, medium and small, which can advantage the Australian public.
[Read more...]Benchmarking & Key Performance Indicators
July/August
Geoff Coy looks at why Benchmarking - once the buzz word of the ‘90’s - still continues to play an important role in determining the success of your business.
[Read more...]Downstream Petroleum 2003
May/June
The recently released ‘Downstream Petroleum 2003’ gives a broad coverage of national issue related to refining and supply. It also summarises the trends in financial and business performance of the major oil companies.
[Read more...]Chocolate Success Demands Savvy
May/June
There is an old saying that everything has its price; in convenience stores, it would seem that everything has its price point. Block chocolate would seem to be suffering as a result – but the message is, don’t give up just yet. [Read more...]
Fuelcard is an opportunity - not a threat
May/June
If 25% of all retail fuel sold is through a fuel card; if nearly all fuel card sales are at branded (major oil company) sites; if a chunk of the branded network won’t be here in a few years’ time and fuel card customers can’t find their brand where they need it; and if the rest get fed up waiting in queues for no reward, ...Then what? If you operate a branded site, this is a significant part of your business, an incremental sale you might not have otherwise had and an opportunity to make non-fuel sales – i.e. be nice to the card holder. If you are an independent, you could be missing out on an opportunity created by network rationalisation and the supermarket chains’ focus on the household (rather than the business) end of the market.
[Read more...]Coffee for Bean Counters
May/June
The morning ‘heartstarter’ is paying dividends for the retailer who gets it right.
[Read more...]Extruded Snacks - expanded sales
May/June
Extruded snacks have a special place in the hearts (and mouths) of kids aged between eight and twelve. Suppliers don’t call the 10-year olds the ‘bulls-eye’ target group for nothing. We know from the confectionery category that kids love to be different. We also know that their parents want them to buy known and reliable brands. The same is true for salty snacks, and extruded snacks in particular. That is why launches of new variants of familiar products are driving the extruded snacks market.
[Read more...]Dealing with Planning & Development Laws
May/June
On the evening of 6th April, Tom Williams was shot and killed at the door of his home office in Petersham in Sydney’s Inner West. The unidentified gunman escaped unseen. NSW detectives are pursuing all avenues of inquiry and can’t yet rule out a possible connection between the murder and Tom’s work in the retail petroleum industry. If you are reading this now and believe you may have some information, no matter how insignificant, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Alternatively, you can contact Marrickville Detectives directly on 02 9568 9299. All information will be received in confidence.
[Read more...]Give your fridge an energy boost
March/April
'E' stands for energy but it also means 'exhausting' when you're trying to make a selection from the cold drinks fridge. ASCN takes a look at the current state of play in the fastest growing segment of the beverage market. [Read more...]
Novelty is the best policy - for Kids
March/April
We can all recall our favourite lollies from when we were kids. Kids still love lollies but what they buy has changed - not just across the generations, but year to year and month to month. Now, they are always looking for something new. Here we find out from suppliers how to make more of this sometimes neglected category.
[Read more...]Insurance Part II: A matter of faith
March/April
In the November/December 2003 issue we looked at the special duty of both the insurer and the insured to disclose everything that could affect the type of policy issued, the amount of coverage (in dollar value) and the cost of the premium. This information is also used by the insurer to decide whether or not to accept the risk and there can be serious consequences for failing to disclose a relevant fact.
[Read more...]2003
Eau to Go - the growth in bottled water
November/December
In much the same way that oils ain't oils, it would appear that all waters are not created equal. However, whether they are still or sparkly, re-created from tapwater or pumped directly from Mother Earth, there is no doubt bottled water is the fastest growing beverage in your drinks fridge.
[Read more...]Meet Gerry Hueston, President, BP Australasia
November/December
"The supermarket offer is just not sustainable. The industry has played a major part in making Australia what it is today. It's farcical that we are still fighting in the marketplace with one arm behind our back while the supermarkets have free rein."
[Read more...]Grown up Granita is all the go
November/December
Whether you call it shaved ice, slush or frappe, there is no doubt that granita is the go. It has the potential to add healthy dollars to the bottom line but, as the captain of the Titanic found out too late, when you're dealing with ice, it's wise to go carefully….
[Read more...]Insurance Part I: A matter of faith
November/December
When the World Trade Centre came crashing down, the cost of insurance around the globe went up. For individuals, businesses and governments, this has meant significant price increases, so it is worthwhile considering carefully just how an insurance policy works. In this article, the focus is on general insurance - that is, most types of insurance except life insurance and includes Home and Contents, Income Protection, Public Liability and Computer insurance.
[Read more...]Recent changes to GST Reporting and Some Common Mistakes
November/December
Accountant Geoff Coy looks at some recent changes to the way we calculate and report on GST and some common mistakes being made by business owners
[Read more...]Era of the healthy snack
November/December
In much the same way as "new age" devotees are reassessing their spiritual values, more and more people are having another look at what they eat. If we are what we eat, then the new age will be the era of the "healthy snack".
[Read more...]Nuts - a healthy new Identity
November/December
Once thought to make you fat and harden your arteries, nuts are reinventing themselves as a healthy snack. Here we look at how you can take advantage of this reversal of fortunes.
[Read more...]Lolly from Lollies
September/October
Your customer are sweet-tooths, promotions work like a treat and there are more and more packs to display. The only place to put them is on or near the counter, so the challenge is to ensure the best possible return (aka lolly) from your valuable retail space.
[Read more...]Coles & Shell - the big picture
September/October
By June 2004, the face of retailing in Australia will be changed forever. By then, at least 1000 service stations, or over 15% of the national network, will be offering discounted fuel to supermarket customers through loyalty schemes. In volume terms, the supermarket share of petrol volume could be over 40%.
[Read more...]Victoria, guinea pig state
September/October
Coles Myer's new fuel discount offer is only a few weeks old. The network of Shell forecourts in Victoria were never so busy as they are now. It's too early to say what the fallout will be, but here's a few early observations on the Coles Express experiment.
[Read more...]What's new in the freezer for summer?
September/October
Get ready for a huge ice cream season as the manufacturers begin their summer launches.
[Read more...]Managing your software - a Practical Guide for Small Businesses
September/October
You may have seen a story on Channel Nine's Small Business Show about using unlicensed software - or as it's commonly known, software piracy. Software piracy is the copying and use of software outside the terms of the licence (usually one program one user, or a prescribed number of users under a multiple user licence) or without the permission of the copyright owner or software manufacturer. Such copying and use is illegal under the Copyright Act and carries high penalties, yet interestingly, the biggest culprits in the use of illegal software are often small businesses.
[Read more...]Changes to Workers' Compensation Insurance
September/October
Accountant, Geoff Coy, looks at recent legislative changes that will impact on your business's wage related categories and resulting workers' compensation premiums.
[Read more...]Up close and personal
September/October
You already know that the two must-haves of health and beauty are shaving products and deodorants. Here, we get up close and personal with the market leaders and find out what you need to know this year about these key grooming categories. [Read more...]
Something to Chew On
July/August
Gum is a profitable, high turnover category that takes up very little space. Although chewing gum and bubble gum appeal to two distinct markets - adults and kids - the same principles apply: innovation and location.
[Read more...]Wills
July/August
You cannot escape either death or taxes. The latter is between you and Mr Costello, but death is a very personal matter which not only affects you but also the family you leave behind. The key question you should ask yourself is "How can I look out for my family's future wellbeing whilst minimising the paperwork?"
[Read more...]An overview of the superannuation surcharge
July/August
Following on from the recent article on the superannuation guarantee levy, accountant Geoff Coy now looks at the impact of the superannuation surcharge tax on your superannuation contributions.
[Read more...]Make more out of milk
July/August
At first glance, the numbers aren't good for white milk. However, look a little closer to find the opportunities and find out how to make more out of milk through marketing.
[Read more...]Get it right & keep it cool
July/August
Keeping your cool is not just one of those trendy slogans. If you're selling food and drink, it's a necessity. But there's cool and there's cool and there's a minefield of obstacles between getting it right and getting it very wrong.
[Read more...]Trends in Foodservice and Eating Out
May/June
In its latest study of the Foodservice market, Bis Shrapnel provides an overview of trends in the industry and forecasts on growth. The Report also comments on current trends in consumer food choice.
[Read more...]Be prepared! The sneezin' season's here
May/June
With the sneezin' season a sad fact of life, it makes sense to cater to the demand. ACSN went nosing around for cures.
[Read more...]Leak Detection - it's now or … now
May/June
You can't say you were not warned. Two years ago we wrote, "No-one who wants to stay in business can afford not to look at continuous leak detection: Monitoring will be regulated in the years ahead, so it is false economy and short-term planning to think you can do without it. Do it properly. Now, it's time to say, "We told you so."
[Read more...]Business Names
May/June
Tom Williams, Solicitor, simplifies the issues associated with registering your business name.
[Read more...]Income Splitting
May/June
In this article, Accountant Geoff Coy looks at another threat to many small business owners as the ATO looks to further target income splitting arrangements.
[Read more...]Packaged bread offers high returns - but choose your offering with care
May/June
If bread and milk are the staples of life, the C-Store is the ideal place to buy them. Certainly the bread manufacturers and suppliers have started to acknowledge this fact
[Read more...]Prepaid Telecoms - Do it Now
May/June
From inauspicious beginnings as a product for the 'credit-impaired', phone cards are enjoying that rare combination of dramatic growth rates, high unit value, high margins, low space usage and diminishing risk. And, it is C-Stores that are the clear winners from the shift to prepaid telecoms products. Make the best of it while it lasts.
[Read more...]Double Digit Convenience Growth Continues
March/April
Driven by sales growth in all stores rather than growth in store numbers, the robust pace of growth in the Convenience channel continues unabated.
[Read more...]Sweet smells for sales success
March/April
While there is no shortage of small, impulse items to add dollars to your bottom line, you would be hard pushed to find a better return on a small space than car air fresheners. CSN talks to those in the know.
[Read more...]Benchmarking - how do I really use it?
March/April
Link the financial results of a business back to the procedures that are driving the result. You can then fix the processes and the financials should improve too.
[Read more...]Chokky Bars - is bigger better?
March/April
King size bars bring more bang for your customer's buck and the big brands are as popular as ever. But don't forget that it is the customer that is king.
[Read more...]To Charge or not to Charge
March/April
To Charge or not to Charge - with credit cards that is the question? You now have the right to charge extra when your customers pay by credit card. But, do you want to?
[Read more...]2003 - The Year of Reform?
March/April
Reform of the industry came a step closer in November 2002 with the release of the Downstream Petroleum Industry Framework by the Federal Industry Minister.
[Read more...]What is the deal with Mortgage Brokers?
March/April
Tom Williams, Solicitor, checks out the service offered by mortgage brokers and finds this an effective way of sourcing finance.
[Read more...]The Superannuation Guarantee - what are your obligations as an employer?
March/April
Accountant, Geoff Coy looks at some recent changes to the Superannuation Guarantee and your obligations as an employer.
[Read more...]Zap & serve - it's the ideal food offering for C-Stores
March/April
With C-Stores looking more like restaurants, it's hard to remember that the new style of convenience food offering all started with the microwave. ACSN discovers that microwaveable food continues to hold its own.
[Read more...]What exactly is a convenience store anyway?
January/February
This issue of Australian Convenience Store News marks fifteen years exactly since we published our first edition. That was back in 1988 with the Service Station banner, under the wing of the Service Station Association. A lot has happened since then.
[Read more...]For adults only
January/February
While there's no doubt they can make a strong contribution to the bottom line, adult magazines have to be handled carefully to maximise their potential.
[Read more...]Make use of your BAS and Financial Statements
January/February
Dr Clift, Chief Scientist, Johnson Space Centre, USA was in Australia in July 1995 and spoke to the Royal Society of Victoria. He was trying to educate Australia on the many ways that this nation could be involved in the international space effort. [Read more...]
e-Fast and e-Easy Ordering
January/February
On-line ordering can make procurement faster and easier. It is still early days with systems still evolving. We recommend you use them, find out what they can do for you, and keep your options open.
[Read more...]Training - It can make or break your business.
January/February
The importance of training your staff in all aspects of the job should never be underestimated.
[Read more...]How Green was my Forecourt?
January/February
Part 3 Not in My Back Yard In the final in our environment series we bring the issue closer to home.
[Read more...]Forecourt safety pays off
January/February
Service stations have a vested interest in the safe handling of LPG on their forecourts. [Read more...]
Liquid Assets
January/February
With the general population more concerned about their health than ever before, Australia's fruit juice manufacturers are in an ideal position to reap the benefits - and so are the retailers who stock their products.
[Read more...]Keeping Track
January/February
Geoff Coy, Accountant, looks at the results of a survey into computerised record keeping to find out who benefits from what.
[Read more...]2002
Better stock management
November/December
Better stock management means less working capital tied up in stock and more stock being turned into cash. [Read more...]
The Complete Package
November/December
The Swap n Go complete package approach caters for all size cylinders, so you never have to turn a customer away again. [Read more...]
The summer of the beverage tidal wave
November/December
Chill out and wait for the invasion! If it hasn't happened already, your drinks fridge is about to be inundated with a rash of new products that will broaden the segment and the selection like never before. [Read more...]
How Green was my Forecourt?
November/December
Things have definitely moved on since Australian Convenience Store News last looked at alternative transport fuels in 1999. We are at the dawn of a new millennium, and in the same way that last century belonged to the passenger car and the petrol engine, this century looks like it will belong to the hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle - well, eventually. [Read more...]
Employee & Employer Rights and Obligations
November/December
Honesty, trust, goodwill and fidelity are essential elements of both sides of the employment equation. [Read more...]
Where will your 9% get you in retirement?
November/December
In this article, Accountant Geoff Coy looks at whether your current superannuation will meet your retirement needs.
[Read more...]Better personnel productivity
September/October
The right people in the right numbers make the difference [Read more...]
Vital for food safety - hygiene & care in premises Cleanliness and the layout of your premises will affect food safety.
September/October
Many factors can affect the ultimate cleanliness of your premises. Such things as the types and coatings of surfaces that the food comes into contact with as well as the age of these surfaces can make a difference to the safety of the product. [Read more...]
How Green was my Forecourt?
September/October
Increasingly customers and authorities will be asking about the environmental performance of your business. So far, the pressure has been on big corporates to prove their environmental credentials. Now it's your turn. In this and future issues of Australian Convenience Store News we will look at fuel quality and standards, alternative fuels, and environmental issues on the forecourt.
[Read more...]Ice Cream sales a winner
September/October
Like the product itself, the ice cream season is short and sweet. While there are some exciting new products on the market and more to come, they're all battling to score maximum results in the minimum time. ACSN went looking for advice. [Read more...]
Casual employment
September/October
What are the factors that define a casual as opposed to a permanent employee? [Read more...]
To Beg or to Borrow
September/October
Make sure you check out the options when it comes to acquiring your business assets.
[Read more...]Sweet Inspirations
September/October
Children can be a bonus for the smart C-Store owner. Chances are they will head into the store with their parent. Chances are they will leave with a special treat - if they're properly catered for.
[Read more...]Systems for a new millennium
September/October
You may have progressed beyond a pencil stub and butcher's paper, but does your last century POS system meet your business needs today and into the future?
[Read more...]Convenience Retailing UK Supermarket Style
September/October
Supermarket chains in the UK are increasing their presence in the convenience store sector.
[Read more...]Non-salary overhead costs
July/August
How does this piece relate to controlling non-salary overheads? Any group of stores which pro-actively makes structural change on this scale (as opposed to the actions of an administrator) must be taking account of their financial performance. They are responding swiftly to the changed market circumstances that confront them. They have to be in strong command of their business operations to be able to take these corrective steps. Importantly, how would you respond? [Read more...]
Doing dairy differently
July/August
In times past, 'flavoured' milk meant a choice of chocolate, caramel, vanilla and strawberry. These days the choices are bewildering. They're also profitable. [Read more...]
Keep food safe: pay attention to hygiene
July/August
The hygiene of staff & premises is vital in maintaining food safety and customer confidence. [Read more...]
Fill-in from the forecourt
July/August
Wondering what happened to temperature correction - last year's hot issue? And, what about those inquiries the Government made such a fuss about? [Read more...]
Health & Beauty - the 'must-haves' of convenience retailing
July/August
With the face of retailing changing, suppliers are now taking notice and tailoring marketing and display strategies for the convenience of your customers. [Read more...]
Employer funded superannuation - know the costs
July/August
Employer funded superannuation means add on costs to the business. [Read more...]
Business Motor Vehicles - Not So Simple
July/August
In this article, Accountant Geoff Coy looks at the not so simple aspect of running your car through your business
[Read more...]On-site banking a must for convenience
July/August
To be considered a 'convenient' store, EFTPOS and ATM facilities are a must
[Read more...]Pet Food a Purr-fect Product
July/August
Nearly 60 per cent of Australian households have pets, mainly dogs and cats. They all need to eat. It would seem to be an ideal opportunity for route but it seems there's a slight case of once bitten, twice shy.
[Read more...]Family favourite chock full of profit
May/June
Eaten in moderation, chocolate is good for us. It contains minerals the body needs to stay healthy, as well as more disease-fighting anti-oxidants than tea! It's also extremely good for a C-store's bottom line... [Read more...]
Sugar free - sweet profit
May/June
In the sugar-free confectionery category, products attract premium prices and don't take up much space on the counter. With many innovative products now on the market, it is worth giving them a try. [Read more...]
Food Standards
May/June
Each day, 11,500 Australians become ill with some form of food borne illness. These are people who are so ill that they require medical attention. Food poisoning can kill and the directors of at least one company were jailed as a result of their negligence. [Read more...]
Meanwhile up at the Forum
May/June
Are we on the road to a universal terminal gate price, removal of the Sites Act, and some toughening to the Trade Practices Act in favour of the retailer? [Read more...]
It's the employer's obligation to ensure a safe workplace
May/June
Employers usually have well meaning intentions to provide a safe and healthy workplace. However, the full scope of Occupational Health and Safety ("O H & S") obligations aren't always fully understood.
[Read more...]How Fringe Benefits Tax can impact on your business
May/June
Accountant Geoff Coy looks at the different ways fringe benefits can impact on your business.
[Read more...]Margins and profits : this is where the fun starts
May/June
When young F. W. Woolworth was a store clerk, he tried to convince his boss to have a ten-cent sale to reduce inventory. The boss agreed, and the idea was a resounding success. This inspired Woolworth to open his own store and price items at a nickel and a dime. He needed capital for such a venture, so he asked his boss to supply the capital for part interest in the store.
[Read more...]Pricing Anomalies in the Wholesale Petrol Market
May/June
As Garth Symington, General Manager of APADA, noted in his introduction, "this is an emotional subject." Three experienced and knowledgeable speakers presented very diverse views as they tried to explain how the market works and what causes the perverse movements in the price of petrol. If they don't know, no-one does. Their presentations were followed by a lively discussion with plenty of audience participation at the end.
[Read more...]Stop thief!
March/April
Are drive-offs costing you too much at your service station? Pre-payment might be an option. As with everything, it depends. The information and different views presented here should help you make your decision. [Read more...]
Deli a winner with customers - and your bottom line
March/April
There's truth in the old adage 'variety is the spice of life', particularly when it comes to C-stores these days. As customers demand more, it can be difficult to decide on the best contributors to the bottom line - but an in-store deli is one viable option. [Read more...]
Unfair Dismissals
March/April
Small business employers often complain about the laws relating to dismissals. These complaints are loudest when a person is dismissed for poor performance or dishonesty, many times in justifiable circumstances, but the dismissed employee files for an unfair dismissal application. [Read more...]
Make your financial information work for you
March/April
How to get timely and accurate financial information on your business and make it work to achieve better results.
[Read more...]There are better ways of catching your customers
March/April
No one in retail would ever argue that the aim of the exercise is to sell products. But unlike the mousetrap, there are better and better ways of catching your customers.
[Read more...]Suppliers strive for space & sales
March/April
Salty snack products account for 3% of total non-fuel sales , and convenience retail outlets account for 5% of the total salty snack market. However, they attract gross profit margins of over 40% , and sales growth in C-Stores is more than double that of grocery. [Read more...]
On The Run by Mobil
March/April
Mobil personality, Peter Brock, attracted the fans to the opening of the first "On The Run by Mobil" in Frankston on February 16. The main attraction for C-Store owners and operators is the new shop concept with 400 uncluttered square metres.
[Read more...]The Power of Aggregated Volume
January/February
It's great to be independent and run your own show. But, is it enough to be conveniently located and open all hours. As Dr Sandro Mangosi of BIS Schrapnel pointed out at the C-Store 2 Winning Edge Seminars in March, customers now want a one-stop service outlet that is convenient in the modern sense of the word. [Read more...]
Cola - a nice little earner
January/February
Cola is more than just a fizzy flavoured water. Cola is a significant, dependable, high-margin, high-turnover retail product, i.e. a nice little earner. [Read more...]
2001
Putting in your 2 cents worth
November/December
In this article, accountant Geoff Coy looks at the real cost of selling fuel, how to determine the real return on this investment and whether making 2 cents per litre is really worth the effort. [Read more...]
Choose your range with care
November/December
In the past few years, things have been less than rosy for fruit juice manufacturers. Juice manufacture is a comparatively easy industry for small manufacturers to enter and the major manufacturers have been hampered by competition from smaller players, some of whom sometimes pay low spot-prices for fruit. [Read more...]
Laws that Protect Consumers
November/December
With the growth of the 'consumer movement' since the 1960's, numerous statutory provisions have been introduced, aimed at reducing the instances of unfair practices by traders and to help consumers take effective action where such practices occur. [Read more...]
New entrant pledges to automate the industry
November/December
Up to 30,000 route and convenience retailers across Australia stand to benefit from the new Quatro Four Retail system, which is being rolled out in the month before Christmas. Soon to be available with the system are budget priced point of sale computer systems, which the suppliers say can help smaller outlets to stay competitive. [Read more...]
Early days for video sales
November/December
Over the years, some convenience stores have tried video rentals with mixed results. The main difficulties with video rentals are keeping the stock fresh, administration difficulties, stock shrinkage, low margins and competition from dedicated video rental outlets. For a time, a number of organisations were offering turn-key video retail operations for convenience stores, but no longer. [Read more...]
Frozen Asset
September/October
Frozen Carbonated Beverage (FCB) and Granita have the potential to be big money spinners at the right site, but there's more to being successful in the frozen beverage game than simply installing equipment and waiting for the cash to roll in. [Read more...]
Profit Additive
September/October
Fuel and oil additives have been around for a long time but the market has been changing significantly over the past couple of years. The service station operator who isn't up to date with these changes will miss out on a share of the profits. [Read more...]
Freezer Crowd
September/October
You scream, they scream, we all scream for a product that can be a real winner in C-stores when the hot weather hits. Or does it have wider appeal? ASS&CSN takes a look at the ice cream market. [Read more...]
Where there is a WILL
September/October
If you don't want to think about your own death - DON'T READ ON! [Read more...]
Suncare Makes $ense
September/October
Australians are finally realising that 'sunny side up' is not smart. ACSN reports that C-stores are perfectly placed to benefit from the need for ultra-violet protection. [Read more...]
Opting to Calculate GST the easy way
May/June
In this article Accountant, Geoff Coy looks at how accepting the ATO's offer to calculate and pay your GST the easy way may not be in your best interests. [Read more...]
Insurance - getting it right
May/June
Almost everyone will in their lifetime take out insurance for the purpose of safeguarding themselves against circumstances in which they may suffer financial loss. Yet despite insurance being an integral component of our lives it remains a confusing and impenetrable area for many consumers. [Read more...]
Don't DIY - Outsource
May/June
By getting someone else to look after your payroll, you'll have more time to concentrate on your core business [Read more...]
Make Mine Meat...or Chicken ...or Thai
March/April
The meat pie is as much an Aussie icon as football, kangaroos and Holden cars but it's changing more quickly than the others. SS&CSN investigates what's hot in the pie department. [Read more...]
Let Them Eat...Biscuits
March/April
Once solely confined to the supermarket aisle, the humble biscuits or cookies is facing new life as a C-store favourite. ASS&CSN finds some of the old favourites have taken on new identities. [Read more...]
Solid growth in bars
March/April
The Australian confectionery market is worth $1,856 million per year and route-type outlets are responsible for more than 44% of this business. Although no current figures are available, the bar segment is thought to be the fastest growing. In a rapidly changing market, convenience outlets are in an excellent position to build their chocolate bar business. [Read more...]
Cutting Costs
March/April
Service stations and convenience stores are huge consumers of electricity. SS&CSN takes a look at how to manage energy usage efficiently not only to reduce day-to-day operating costs but to do the environment a favour as well. [Read more...]
False Impressions
March/April
In today's low margin convenience retailing, one under-performing area can cancel out the profits from the rest of your business. [Read more...]
A hands-off approach
January/February
The question of cash handling at service stations and convenience stores is no longer about whether or not to adopt secure and safe practices. It's now about minimising cash handling and providing audit trails for cash - at the lowest possible cost. [Read more...]
Sara Lee targets C-store growth
January/February
The grocery majors are finally designing products specifically for the growing convenience store sector. Latest is global cake and dessert maker Sara Lee, whose new 'no freezer required' Cookie range gives service stations a generous slice of supermarket action. [Read more...]
Keeping liquid
January/February
In this article, Geoff Coy looks at the importance of maintaining the liquidity of your business and how things can go sour very quickly. [Read more...]
Nice Car. Would you like some octane booster with that?
January/February
While we weren't looking, a new aftermarket customer has arrived. This customer is male and usually under twenty five. More often than not, he has a fairly high income for his age, no girl friend and more than likely lives at home with mum and dad. There's a good chance he'll be of ethnic background, but not always. He's a big Nike or Adidas customer. And he's into Hot Fours. [Read more...]
$600 million reasons to stock
January/February
When ASS&CSN looked at the phone card business in September 1998, its value at retail was thought to be $180 million per year. Since then, the prepaid communications business has grown to a staggering $600 million in Australia. About $150 million of that is going on prepaid phone cards and around $400 million on mobile cards. [Read more...]