LOOK
evolving consumer expectations in convenience retail
Retail customers are driving change, whether frequenting convenience stores, service stations or supermarkets - they are demanding options. Research shows that customers want experiences in attractive store formats with convenient, good-value food choices. This demand is pushing retailers to innovate with personalised products and services, as well as a seamless, convenient experience. These are promising changes.
Supermarkets are evolving the "grocerant" experience by integrating HoReCa elements, offering more food-to-go, meal solutions, and in-store cafes. This concept, popular overseas, provides an exciting customer experience. Innovations such as flexible shelving, moveable refrigeration, and reimagining the centre store are driving this evolution.
Fuel retailers are also adapting to changing consumer demands by creating options that match international offerings for speed and convenience. Busy lifestyles are a driver for consumers seeking convenience, but so is an ageing population with a much smaller basket size when shopping. Retailers are enhancing existing offerings and exploring new value pools, extending the sale size from just fuel to additional items like
food-to-go, coffee, or topping up the weekly shop.
Over the next decade, the full impact of these trends on service stations will become more apparent, with some markets changing more rapidly than others. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative-fuel-powered vehicles will continue to disrupt the traditional service station model, though urban stations are expected to be affected differently from motorway stations. Due to the slower electrification of heavy-duty vehicles, motorway locations should be more resilient. These vehicles are still expected to require fuel stops; however, EV drivers will continue to frequent motorway service stations for recharging, toilet breaks, and food or beverage purchases.
Turnover for unmanned service stations could be vulnerable to these changes, but overseas retailers are adding portable turnkey retail solutions as an option to grow the convenience offering. With low operating expenses and no need for full-time staff, these vending solutions can deliver significant revenue per square foot with around 500 SKUs. More commonly seen overseas, vending machines offer additional income opportunities that are relatively untapped here.
Reliance on fuel sales means
that service stations, seeing the disruptors, are evolving to offer more convenience store components. Faced with reduced fuel throughput, these stations focus is on expanding their convenience offering. Streamlining or refreshing products to fit the service station model is a strategic move for FMCG suppliers. Foodservice suppliers are also finding opportunities by introducing HoReCa products into the convenience space when supermarket shelves prove too competitive to challenge.
As consumer expectations evolve, supermarket, convenience and fuel sector retailers are adapting with innovative solutions. This month, we extend our section on the Convenience and Oil channel as we, too, adapt and evolve to the changing retail landscape. n
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new look for armor all
Australia | Car care brand Armor All has unveiled a dynamic new look across the Australian market in alignment with its global packaging evolution. With a proven track record of delivering innovative, easy-to-use, and effective products for over 50 years, Armor All products have simplified car care and protection to deliver the finest results.
The brand's transformation has included Armor All products, Armor All Ultra Shine, Armor All Extreme, and Armor All Ultra Shield, with black and gold packaging for a vibrant orange hue.
The Armor All brand mission has been to empower people to effectively clean, shine, protect, and freshen their cars. The packaging redesign makes it brilliantly simple for every customer to find the right Armor All product for every task.
The vibrant new packaging, set to hit the shelves in Australia from August 2024, is not just a visual upgrade. It's a strategic move to enhance the shopper experience. Research has shown that the increased prominence of this distinctive orange colour on the pack can help shoppers find the products up to 19 percent faster.
Designed to resonate with consumers and future-proof the brand, the new label leads with the logo, elevating its presence on the pack. It has been supported by colour cues that help guide product benefits and tasks. The new packaging also contains more
recycled materials and uses high-density, recyclable polyethylene bottles.
Armor All products are available from various retailers, including Supercheap Auto, Repco, Big W, Coles and Woolworths. n
Image credits: Foodstuffs
centenary for kiwi icon
Four Square has marked a milestone within the New Zealand grocery industry by celebrating 100 years in business.
The iconic brand first emerged in the 1920s and was established by Foodstuff’s founder, J Heaton Barker. The idea was said to be a result of Barker’s frustration with the activities of the grocery chain stores of that time and how difficult operating a business was for independent grocers in the Auckland area.
Barker called the Auckland Master Grocers’ Association to action in mid-1922 to discuss plans for a co-operative buying group of independent grocers. By 1924, the buying group had registered as Foodstuffs, the first of three regional co-operatives located in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.
But it was on July 4, 1924, that Barker first coined the name ‘Four Square’ while drawing a square around the number four on his calendar. It has been recalled that Barker thought the name would ‘stand Four Square to all the winds that blew’. By the end of 1924, products had appeared on Four Square shelves under the same name, and in a few short years, the Four Square name had become a common sight throughout the country.
New Zealand’s first self-service Four
Square store was opened in Onehunga in 1948, the first of its kind in the country’s history. The store was opened by Barker’s son, Phil Barker, and Ray McGregor.
The infamous Mr Four Square character was first introduced in the 1950s, designed by the Foodstuffs advertising department. Initially featured in newspaper advertising, the character has become widely known as a symbol for the local grocery sector. Over the years, Mr Four Square has undergone several transformations. The most recent has forgone the pencil tucked behind his ear and old-fashioned hair parting.
Foodstuffs opened seven new Four Square stores in 2023, the most recent in Fitzroy, Taranaki. Previous openings included Britomart, Mount Maunganui and Waverly.
For the new store’s owner-operator, Tim Jackson, the opening has been just as much about the community as it was for the brand.
“It’s been really heartening to hear from so many locals who’ve stopped by to say hello, that they looked forward to having us open, and how needed the store was for the community,” said Jackson.
“The store’s new design, with selfcheckouts and fresh food options, will, I think, surprise those that haven’t come
across the new-look Four Square yet.”
Foodstuffs North Island Chief Executive, Chris Quin, said the store opening was an example of how the co-op and its members have constantly invested in changing communities.
“Each store is designed, configured and stocked based on its local community. While the brand experience needs to be consistent across Four Square stores, each location has its own unique needs and customer shopping habits that its local owner caters for,” said Quin.
The uniform store design has now incorporated an improved layout and lighting, brightly coloured neon signs that identify each in-store department, electronic shelf labels, and a contemporary colour scheme throughout the most recent stores. New stores have also included in-housemade barista coffee, hot food service areas, and an updated catalogue of 4,000 products. n
Upstock Announces Big Updates with Woolworths, AI Automation
Upstock, the foodservice platform made by the creators of Xero, is rapidly transforming the FMCG industry by automating ordering, payments and logistics.
Upstock adds Woolworths order automation
In addition to their popular Foodstuffs automation, Upstock now offers Woolworths automation for FMCG suppliers to receive and process all their supermarket orders in seconds, rather than hours.
Prior to Upstock, FMCG brands needed to train full time staff to spend hours managing and processing orders from the major supermarkets. Now that work can be done easily, in minutes by any staff.
Brave Brewing owner Matt Smith explains, "Our Foodstuffs and Woolworths orders go through Upstock and get processed in seconds. It saves hours of data entry and eliminates errors and fulfilment
mistakes. The monthly cost is well worth the time and errors saved. I wish I could get back the time spent loading orders on various portals."
When Waitoa Beer was facing the daunting challenge of managing the complexity of getting ranged and managing supermarket orders their Head of Sales and Distribution James Mobbs described the difference Upstock made, “It gives us a ‘seat at the table’ with the supermarkets. The smooth ordering process means we avoid embarrassing errors and mix-ups as we build a reputation as a high quality, reliable supplier able to compete with the big players.”
Upstock uses AI to convert paper orders to digital orders
In another major announcement, Upstock now offers the ability to add any PO (purchase order) to Upstock. It will then use AI (artificial intelligence) to automatically convert the PO into a
digital order. This enables the automation of orders from any wholesale customer including Bidfood, Service Foods, Costco, Bunnings, Farro Fresh, and any others who place orders by PO.
Most independent supermarkets and grocery stores around New Zealand use the Upstock app to stock their shelves, including Bin Inn, Boric Food Market, Moore Wilson’s, Campus & Co, Bellatino’s, Connings, among many others.
Franco Boric is Co-owner of Boric Food Market, “Before Upstock ordering was time-consuming. A lot of emails back and forth, opening spreadsheets, downloading documents, going into different portals. With Upstock on my phone, I just go ‘bang, bang, bang’ and it's all done in minutes.”
Convenience and service stations using Upstock
“We service nearly every service station in New Zealand. Prior to Upstock, around half of these customers had to have their orders
The Caker founder Jordan Rondel, a celebrity chef and world famous model, uses Upstock herself and had this to say about it, “It was never really my job to do this side of the business. But now that it’s so streamlined I actually really enjoy doing it. It's just so easy.”
manually keyed by my team, which was hugely time consuming and also generated keying errors.” explains Phil Huddleston, the General Manager of foodservice distributor Online Distribution Limited (ODL) which distributes confectionery, grocery, snack foods, drinks, automotive consumables and cleaning products to nearly every service station in New Zealand – including Z Energy, BP, Caltex, Mobil, Night and Day and a few independents.
Huddleston said almost all their customers now order through Upstock. “We service around 700 customers per week, with around 1,000 lines they could order from. With Upstock, our customers can now easily see up-to-date pricing and
when items are out of stock. It’s so easy to communicate with customers, a simple message saves so many unnecessary phone calls and emails.”
Lower costs & higher sales
“We’re super proud Upstock is helping so many FMCG brands lower costs through automation and increase sales through our marketplace. It’s obviously been an insanely challenging few years, so to see so many of our customers growing thanks to Upstock is incredibly gratifying,” noted Philip Fierlinger, Co-founder of Upstock.
Fierlinger added that Upstock has even bigger plans for the future, so stay tuned and keep up to date at www.upstock.app. n
LO CAL
JUSTINE'S KETO CHOC CRUNCH COOKIE
Justine's Cookies
Justine’s Cookies has launched two new flavours in their Keto Choc Crunch Cookie range. The Keto Milky White Choc Crunch Cookie is a fusion of silky-smooth white chocolate infused with a subtle hint of vanilla, all without sugar. The Keto Double Chocolate Crunch Cookie is another guilt-free indulgence that satisfies chocolate cravings. Both are sweetened naturally with erythritol and made from ground almond meal. Every serving also provides 26 percent of the daily fibre needs, making them the perfect on-the-go pick-me-up.
FANCY S'MORE?
Kellogg's
Kellogg's® has just launched a new flavour of Pop-Tarts® in New Zealand. New Pop-Tarts® Frosted S'mores Chocolate and Marshmallow Flavour are delicious toaster pastries filled with a scrumptious chocolate and marshmallow flavoured filling. They can be enjoyed on the go, at any time and are a tasty snack! Each box comes with 8 toaster pastries, sealed in pairs, ready to grab and go, or toast to perfection.
New Pop-Tarts® Frosted S’mores flavour is currently available in PAK’nSAVE and New World stores across North Island and South Island.
CADBURY CARAMILK CRUNCHIE
Cadbury
Cadbury Caramilk Crunchie bites are a golden blend of caramelised white chocolate with honeycomb pieces, perfect for a morning or afternoon treat.
Made with 100 percent sustainably sourced cocoa, Cadbury believes it is suitable for farmers, their communities, and our planet.
CADBURY TWIRL ICED LATTE
Cadbury
Cadbury Twirl Iced Latte is a light, meltin-your-mouth chocolatey treat. It consists of two bars of coffee-flavoured swirls and curls coated in Cadbury Dairy Milk milk chocolate. It's ribbons of indulgent milk chocolate bliss, perfect for an afternoon treat.
CRONUTS ARE TAKING OVER THE WORLD
Emma-Jane's Foodservice
What we thought was a trend of the past, we are now realising that Cronuts are here to stay. Why not make life easier for you and your team by keeping your trust in Emma-Jane’s Foodservice who provide the most delightful crodots. Made with Authentic Flaky Pastry with a margarine base, for a beautiful soft experience on the inside juxtaposed with its crunchy crust, making this the perfect solution for your cabinet. Have them as is or fill with whatever your heart desires, Sweet or savoury will work in this delicacy. Want a sample? Give our team at EmmaJane’s Foodservice a call on 0800 366 252 or an email on info@emmajanes.co.nz.
SQUEEZY PIC'S PEANUT BUTTER
Pic's Peanut Butter
Drizzle your way to deliciousness. Pic’s Peanut Butter has stirred things up with its brand-new Squeezy Bottles, making it easier to enjoy the nutty spread.
Pic’s Peanut Butter has been crafted from Hi Oleic peanuts and freshly roasted to perfection at Pic's Peanut Butter World in Nelson. It is available in Smooth or Smoochy (the perfect blend of smooth and crunchy).
Peanut butter can be added to various breakfast foods like smoothie bowls, pancakes, and waffles, giving salads, noodles, and meat a savoury taste. It can also boost baked items like brownies, muffins, and cookies.
Designed for convenience and packed with premium Pic’s Peanut Butter, Squeezy has simplified snacking.
CONVENIENT WITH ORGANIC GOODNESS
GoodnessMe
GoodnessMe Organic Fruit Snacks are made better for you. Made with 70% organic fruit juices & puree, these mess-free pouches burst with real fruit flavour. Choose from juicy strawberry & blueberry, berrilicious raspberry & bluberry or tropical pineapple & passionfruit. They're certified vegan and ditch the prep for a perfect lunchbox addition or anytime treat!
Visit www.goodnessme.nz to learn more.
LO CAL
KITKAT GOLD CRUSH
Nestle
Feel the rush with KitKat Gold Crush. Just unwrap, snap, and savour the crisp, oven-baked wafer fingers, all deliciously covered in smooth caramelised chocolate, made with 100 percent certified sustainable cocoa supplied through the Nestle Cocoa Plan.
SKINNY DIPPED PEANUTS
Graze
Skinny Dipped Peanuts has launched two new Milk Chocolate flavour combinations: Sea Salt and Salted Caramel. Truly a match made in sweet 'n salty heaven, these delicious peanuts are thinly coated with milk chocolate and a touch of sea salt and caramel, respectively.
TIM TAM DELUXE CAFÉ LATTE
Arnott's
Arnott’s has introduced a new flavour, especially for all coffee lovers. The Tim Tam Deluxe Café Latte has the much-loved extra chocolate, delicious velvety cream, and a gooey centre.
Tim Tam fans can now indulge in the perfect complement to their next cuppa, to ‘Bite, Sip and Slam’ or simply on its own. The Deluxe Café Latte promises to tingle the taste buds of coffee connoisseurs and chocolate lovers with a delectable caramel coffee aroma.
WINTER REMEDIES WITH ETHICS
Ethics
The Ethics brand is trusted as a high-quality brand offering great value. Amidst the current high cost of living, the Ethics brand offers affordable pricing to consumers without compromising quality. Heading into Winter, and all year round, Ethics has you covered for pain relief.
Check out our Ethics Cold and Flu range to assist with those winter ailments, including medicated lozenges and products formulated to relieve symptoms of cold & flu and nasal congestion.
Always read the label. Use only as directed. Incorrect use may be harmful. If symptoms persist see your healthcare professional. Do not use ibuprofen if you have stomach ulcers. Multichem NZ Ltd, Auckland.
WHITTAKER'S CREAMY MILK MACADAMIA
Whittaker's
Whittaker’s most requested block, the Creamy Milk Macadamia, is back for a limited time. Crafted with Whittaker’s classic 33 percent Five Roll Refined Creamy Milk chocolate and rich roasted macadamia nut pieces, this combination is an irresistible taste of luxury.
Whittaker’s Creamy Milk Macadamia block is made from beans to bar at its factory in Porirua. It is also Rainforest Alliance certified, as is Whittaker’s entire range of products, crafted with 100 percent traceable Ghanaian Cocoa beans and proudly Palm Oil-free.
ALMIGHTY BLACKBERRY RASPBERRY SPARKLING WATER
Almighty Beverages
Almighty Beverages has just welcomed a juicy new flavour: Blackberry Raspberry sparkling water, harnessing the sweetness of blackberry paired with tart raspberry for berry-flavoured goodness.
Co-founder and managing director Ben Lenart said they wanted to build on the popularity of their other doubleflavour combinations, such as Yuzu & Lime and Peach & Ginger, to offer a layered taste combination with every sip. Like Almighty’s other sparkling water flavours, Blackberry Raspberry is additive-free and made with charcoalfiltered sparkling water and natural flavouring.
M&M'S COOKIE DOUGH
M&M's
M&M’s Cookie Dough is the perfect sweet treat for all cookie dough lovers. These delicious bite-size pieces of cookie dough are covered in M&M's original milk chocolate and coated in M&M’s traditional thin, crisp shell. Delicious on their own, they're perfect for movie nights on the couch with friends and family and can also be creatively used to decorate chocolate-baked treats. There are many ways to enjoy M&M's cookie dough chocolate, so find your favourite.
CADBURY DAIRY MILK SLICES
Cadbury
Cadbury Dairy Milk Slices are now available in two new flavours, Peanut Caramel and Raspberry.
Cadbury Dairy Milk Slices Peanut Caramel is made with Dairy milk chocolate, peanut-flavoured creme, peanut pieces, and flowing caramel, while the Cadbury Dairy Milk Slices Raspberry is made with Dairy Milk milk chocolate, raspberry flavoured choc and Old Gold dark chocolate.
CONVENIENCE&oil
Foodstuffs x ChargeNet Expand New Zealand Network
Foodstuffs and ChargeNet, New Zealand's only nationwide electric vehicle (EV) charging network, have announced plans to build at least 80 new EV-charging sites at Foodstuffs supermarkets across the country over the next four years.
ChargeNet began working with Foodstuffs in 2015, installing charging sites at PAK’nSAVE and New World stores. These stores currently offer customers access to 128 ChargeNet charging points around the country. To date, the charging points have provided more than 7,731 MWh of energy to customers.
Foodstuffs NZ’s Head of Environmental Social Governance, Sandy Botterill, said the partnership reinforced its commitment to providing customers with accessible and convenient charging options.
“Our customers are telling us they like the convenience of being able to charge their electric vehicles while doing their shopping,
ticking two items off the to-do list in a single trip," said Botterill.
“By partnering with ChargeNet to open at least 80 new charging sites at our stores around the country, we’re also supporting our broader goals around being sustainability leaders through helping reduce carbon emissions and supporting the transition to low emissions transportation options for our customers.”
ChargeNet CEO Danusia Wypych added that the formal partnership with Foodstuffs NZ will speed up the installation of new chargers and increase the number of high-powered charge points available nationally. All new sites will be powered by Ecotricity’s 100 percent renewable, Toitū climate-positive certified wind, hydro, and solar electricity.
“The partnership demonstrates our and Foodstuffs’ commitment to the absolute best customer experience and to building even greater convenience and accessibility for
all EV drivers. We know that supermarket charging is the top preference for our customers. On top of that, 83 percent of our customers plan for their journey—they know exactly which EV charging stations they’ll use,” said Wypych.
“Building more chargers builds confidence in the network for everyday EV drivers, and being able to charge while doing an everyday errand helps seamlessly integrate EV-charging into their daily lives. By providing more ChargeNet chargers and even more convenient access, we’re helping to get more Kiwi drivers into EVs by building their trust that the EV-charging network can support them.”
Customers can get up to 80 percent charge in the half-hour or so it takes them to complete their shopping and provide the “e-forecourt” of the future, where customers stop in to do their weekly shopping and tick off their vehicle charge simultaneously. n
Three Generations of Good Ideas
GoodnessMe is here today because of three generations of family dedicated to making good food since the 1980s.
GoodnessMe co-founder James Norris grew up with good, honest, simple food. His Grandad owned the local bakery, and Dad owned the butchery, which was just two doors apart in Palmerston North.
Norris’ parent’s flare for making and finding good stuff led to the opportunity to open a ‘Delicatessen’ and fill it with premium local and imported goods. They knew that mass-market food was losing its appeal, and customers wanted better quality, new ideas and exciting flavours.
So, at a time when everything was
produced locally, the young Norris got a taste of what’s good from around the globe - soft cheeses, roasted coffee, savouries and sweets.
Fast-forward to the present day and Norris is a father himself. He is always on the lookout for the right balance of healthy snacks and tasty treats for his own kids.
He wanted a better-quality snack that would fulfil his goal of doing good things for our nutrition, our environment, and our communities.
Today, Norris and the GoodnessMe team are proud to create snacks made with good ingredients for families both in New Zealand and Internationally.
“We are really excited to be bringing you the next evolution of the brand extending out from kids snacking into snacking for the entire family with the introduction of our single serve organics range,” said Norris.
This is a range of 30g Fruit sticks and 50g Resealable pouch packs of Fruit Nuggets, all with reduced plastic kraft paper-based packaging. All have the same nutritional benefits of GoodnessMe’s current kids range, which is vegan and allergen-free and has all-natural Strawberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Pineapple, and Passionfruit flavours that adults can now enjoy, too.
So here’s to good taste, being good and doing good, and growing single-serve impulse sales organically. n
We are really excited to be bringing you the next evolution of the brand extending out from kids snacking into snacking for the entire family with the introduction of our single serve organics range,
CONVENIENCE&oil
From Servos to Multi-Service Stations
Australia-based APCO Service Stations Pty. Ltd. has seen an apparent swing toward quick and convenient options among consumers since the pandemic. There has also been an increased demand for essential items at service stations.
With consumers becoming time-poor and limiting the frequency to traditional supermarket destinations for a weekly shop and more for daily top-up transactions, service stations like APCO have had to evolve into multi-service destinations.
“Customers are also using tech more with in-app purchases and self-service POS,” said Erol Collings, business development manager of grocery at APCO Service Stations Pty. Ltd.
“We have expanded into everyday household items.”
This expansion of grocery items in service stations is due to consumers seeking convenient, one-stop shopping experiences. Collings added that grocery sales significantly contributed to the overall basket spend.
“Whilst refuelling and grabbing a coffee, they can top up their weekly groceries or
grab a ready-to-eat meal for dinner on the way home from work.”
He also said it was necessary to consistently review consumer trends, depending on the location and demographics, to offer healthier impulse options.
Additionally, any technology that allows for faster and smoother transactions has become a focus, with sales via self-service checkouts and apps showing strong growth monthly at APCO Service Stations Pty. Ltd. n
Government to Reverse Oil and Gas Exploration Ban
Resources Minister Shane Jones said removing the ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki is part of a suite of proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act to address the energy security challenges posed by rapidly declining natural gas reserves.
“Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on and our economy running, especially during peak electricity demand and when generation dips because of more intermittent sources like wind, solar and hydro,” said Jones.
“When the previous government introduced the exploration ban in 2018, it not only halted the exploration needed to identify new sources, but it also shrank investment in further development of our known gas fields, which sustain our current use levels.
Rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s petroleum sector will require more than removing the ban. The Coalition Government has proposed further changes, as agreed by the Cabinet, to re-establish New Zealand as an attractive and secure destination for international investment.
“Some of our current settings are a barrier to attracting investment in exploration and production because they are overly costly and onerous on industry. Some obligations lack flexibility and compliance obligations are uncertain and unclear.”
In addition to removing the ban, changes have been proposed on how petroleum exploration applications are tendered and allocated, aligning the petroleum decommissioning regime with international best practices and improving regulatory efficiency.
NZ petroleum and minerals sectors
contributed $1.9 billion to GDP in 202021 and $236 million in Crown revenue in 2022-23. In 2023, mining employed around 6,000 people, most based in regional communities.
“I want a considered discussion about how we use our natural resources to improve the security and affordability of energy and resources supplies, stimulate regional economic development opportunities, and increase New Zealand’s self-sufficiency to protect against volatile international markets.”
The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill will be the latest legislative reform introduced by the government to cut red tape, enabling crucial resources and infrastructure projects across New Zealand and allowing communities to benefit. The Bill will be introduced to Parliament in the second half of 2024. n
Airex Merchandisers have been specifically crafted to provide an attractive ready-to-serve cold drinks and food display. Featuring an electrostatic finish that helps prevent fingerprints and smudges. Equipped with adjustable temperature control, double glazed glass doors, and energy-e cient LED lighting.
AlixPartners Acquires Berylls
Global consulting firm AlixPartners announced the completion of its previously announced acquisition of the majority of the operations of leading automotive consulting firm Berylls.
The transaction, which closed on 31 May 2024, followed a successful regulatory approvals process and will result in the Berylls Strategy Advisors and Berylls Mad Media businesses becoming wholly owned by AlixPartners.
Given the strong brand recognition that Berylls enjoys, its specialist service offerings will be taken to market under the banner of “Berylls by AlixPartners”. The transaction will see approximately 160 people joining AlixPartners from Berylls, predominantly in Germany and across China, the UK,
South Korea, North America, Austria, and Switzerland.
“We are delighted to welcome our new Berylls colleagues to AlixPartners. Today marks an exciting new chapter for the firm in our continued growth as we combine Berylls’ best-in-class strategy, growth, and digital capabilities and our financial, operational, and performance improvement consulting expertise,” said Simon Freakley, CEO of AlixPartners.
“This enhanced offering ensures that we are more perfectly positioned than ever to help our automotive clients create value in today’s complex and disrupted environment.”
As a result of this high-profile, strategic acquisition, AlixPartners and its new Berylls colleagues will afford automotive
clients access to the consulting industry’s most comprehensive range of expert advice spanning the value and supply chains in their entirety.
“The arrival of our new Berylls colleagues marks a pivotal moment for our automotive offering at AlixPartners, and we are thrilled to have them on board,” said Andrew Bergbaum, Global Co-Head of AlixPartners’ Automotive & Industrial Practice.
“The response from our automotive clients has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to create a unique offering for them as they look to secure their future against a backdrop of unprecedented change for the industry.”
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP represented AlixPartners, and Gleiss Lutz represented Berylls. n
Point of Difference Between EV & Service Stations
Over the years, the demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging stations has seen a significant uptick. Initially, the adoption of EVs was gradual, driven by early adopters and environmentally conscious consumers. However, the adoption rate has accelerated with the growing awareness of climate change, advancements in EV technology, and government incentives.
“Recently, we've observed exponential growth in demand, fueled by an increasing number of EV models, improved battery ranges, and a broader acceptance of EVs as viable alternatives to traditional internal combustion engine vehicles,” said Rob Asselman, head of marketing at Chargefox.
“There will be ongoing and accelerating growth in the EV sector. The simple reality is that, in almost all cases, an EV is already a better choice for passenger vehicles.”
Electric vehicles are cheaper to own, cleaner, faster, and have better technology and safety features. The availability and viability of light commercial, freight and mass transit electric options have also rapidly expanded. Therefore, public charging infrastructure must continue to grow to keep up with demand.
Currently, road transport accounts for about 20 percent of global emissions, and enabling the electrification of transport has been at the core of Chargefox's work.
It has already provided over 2000 publicly available charging plugs across Australia and will continue to add about 150 more monthly.
EV chargers have inherently been selfserve, with charging and payment facilitated entirely through an application such as Chargefox. This has also presented a challenge as most people have been getting behind the wheel of an EV for the first time, so using a public charger is a new experience for many.
“Rest assured, after charging a couple of times, it becomes as normal as pumping fuel.”
Another challenge for EVs and EV charging stations in the Australian market has been overcoming much of the misinformation perpetuated by vested interests and accepted as the truth.
“Many just believe statements like “EVs catch on fire,” “They don’t drive far enough,” or “They are just as bad for the environment.” These statements are simply and objectively untrue, yet they persist.”
For a long time, service stations have been the singular location where drivers could refuel, be it unleaded, diesel or LPG, and electric vehicle charging has disrupted this status quo.
Asselman added that almost any business with a carpark can provide EV charging. This meant that in addition to providing
fast, reliable charging, service stations would need to provide additional services and amenities to attract drivers who now have the option of ‘refuelling’ while at home, shopping, dining, or catching a movie.
“The opportunity for service stations may be to provide a point of difference to other EV charging locations by providing a human attendant on the premises.” n
