7 minute read
INDUSTRY NEWS: AACS
AACS brings industry together at Connect 23 Summit
The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) successfully hosted its annual Connect 23 Summit at Crown Melbourne last month.
The Connect 23 Conference, which 590 delegates attended, provided the opportunity to celebrate and showcase the very best within the P&C industry for both retailers and suppliers, while providing opportunities to learn from experts in their field.
Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, started by providing a member update, before Brett Barclay, Director at CMA, presented the State of the Industry (SOI) Report.
Barclay revealed that the industry generated more than $10 billion in retail shop sales for the first time ever, which is a fantastic achievement for the entire industry.
Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS
Presentations from the two Peter Jowett winners Ozzie Lumpkin III from PepsiCo and Ben McWiggan from 7-Eleven, gave us a glimpse into the future and how the metaverse can help shape the way P&C interacts with its consumers.
David Coffey, Industry Lead Retail and e-Com at TikTok, spoke about the impressive rise of the entertainment platform and how businesses can best utilise the app to increase awareness and drive interaction with their brand or service.
Brian Walker, CEO of Retail Doctor Group, spoke about omnichannel best practice and how having an omnipresence can enhance personalisation, loyalty, and convenience.
Mark Wohltmann, Global Director of NACS, discussed some of the trends in convenience retail including what is and isn’t working from around the world, ranging from EVs to automation to personalisation. Wohltmann emphasised the importance of talking, interacting, and sharing ideas.
Greg Page, Founder of Heart of the Nation and original Yellow Wiggle, explained how the presence of an AED at a service station can save someone’s life. Page pointed to the recent partnership with New Sunrise, and how the installation of AEDs at several of their sites had already saved three lives.
Theo Foukkare (left) with winners of the Store of the Year, Mood Food Kempton, by Bennett’s Petroleum, and Steve Crystal (right)
A leaders panel on health, sugar, and being prepared for the future challenges was held, featuring Dr Alan Barclay, NRA Health and Nutrition expert, Geoff Parker, CEO of the Australian Beverages Council, and Emma Metcalf-King, Head of Food at 7-Eleven.
The panel discussed what the proposed sugar tax is, how it will affect the P&C channel, and whether it will be effective in its target of reducing obesity and health complications for Australians.
Michael McQueen, Speaker, Author, and Futurist, then took the stage to help attendees to be prepared for what is coming, to “focus on the tides, not the waves” including the acceleration of AI, personalisation, and a generational transition.
2023 Peter Jowett Award Winners
During the Connect 23 Summit, AACS revealed the winners of the 2023 Peter Jowett Awards, with Ozzie Lumpkin III from PepsiCo ANZ named the Overall Winner, winning an all-expenses paid trip to the AACS 2023 International Study Tour, valued at $20,000.
Speaking to C&I about his win, Lumpkin III said that being named the Overall Winner was the best feeling he’s had in his career so far.
It was a very successful night for New Sunrise
He said that working on his PJ presentation gave him the opportunity to gain recognition within the PepsiCo business as he was able to connect with senior management throughout the project.
“There are very few opportunities, if ever, for individuals to showcase their knowledge and expertise outside of their companies on a broader scale and the Peter Jowett Award provides the platform for recognition and self-improvement.
“PJ is such an incredible opportunity to showcase young talent. I highly encourage anyone looking to step outside of their comfort zone. What I’ve found outside my comfort zone is individual growth.”
Ben McWiggan from 7-Eleven was the Retail Winner and Runner Up and wins a ticket to the AACS Local Study Tour in Melbourne, valued at $2,000, along with $3,000 in cash.
- Ozzie Lumpkin III, Peter Jowett winner
McWiggan was understandably delighted and said it is a credit to AACS and its members for continuing to have an award like it.
“It’s critically important for the next generation of retailers and suppliers to be able to put themselves out there and learn and develop skills that will serve them exceptionally well, both in their work and personal life, in terms of the transferable skills such as communications and the ability to present.”
The Peter Jowett Award is open to all AACS Retailer and Supplier members under the age of 36 and provides a unique opportunity for future leaders within the AACS Retailer and Supplier membership to challenge others in Australia on thinking about the opportunities for our industry.
The six finalists, which included Lumpkin III and McWiggan, along with Mia Smith from bp, Elie Dib from Metro Petroleum, Constance Kyriakoullakis from Mars Wrigley, and Ehsan Lolaiy from Frucor Suntory, were asked to present their ideas to AACS Diamond members on Tuesday, who then voted on Lumpkin III and McWiggan as the overall Supplier and Retailer Winners. These two then presented once again to an audience of almost 600 people, before Lumpkin III was ultimately named the Overall Winner for 2023.
Excellence in Sustainability winner 7-Eleven
Speaking to C&I, AACS CEO Theo Foukkare congratulated all of the finalists and winners who participated in the 2023 Peter Jowett Awards, and commended the quality of this year’s entries.
“The quality of presentations continues to deliver a very high standard in creativity, quality of content, and presentation skills, while uncovering future leaders of the convenience industry – showcasing their talent to our members. I know Peter Jowett would be very proud that his legacy is continuing to live on through this unwavering love of future leaders of the industry,” he said.
AACS names its new Board for 2023
AACS announced its new Board for 2023, with a couple of new faces voted in at the Annual General Meeting.
From a National Retailer perspective, Tim Rankin, National Fuels Manager at Chevron Australia, has been appointed to the Board.
Speaking to C&I, Rankin said he was delighted by the appointment and is looking forward to working alongside the AACS Board.
L-R: Ehsan Lolaiy, Elie Dib, Ben McWiggan, Ozzie Lumpkin III, Constance Kyriakoullakis, and Mia Smith
“I am excited about the opportunity to join such an experienced board and to help guide and advocate for the success of our industry and our members,” he said.
From a core retailer perspective, Haydn Tierney, Managing Director of Bowser Bean, has been appointed, joining Rob Anderson, Chris Andrianopoulos, Darren Park, and Steve Cardinale.
Tierney told C&I: “I am honoured and excited to be welcomed on the AACS board. I look forward to deepening my understanding of the national P&C industry and providing my perspective as an independent retailer and champion of convenience.”
AACS Retailer Members were asked to nominate who they wanted to see representing them on the Board and a shortlist of nominees was created, with members ultimately voting on Tierney and Rankin’s appointment. Brett Barclay, Director, Convenience Measures Australia, was also re-elected to the Board.
Supplier of the Year – Grocery and General Merchandise winner Pacific Optics
AACS CEO Foukkare welcomed the new Board members and congratulated them on their appointment.
“I am looking forward to continuing working with the Board in 2023 and wanted to pass on a special congratulations to our newly elected Board members Tim Rankin from Chevron Australia and Haydn Tierney from Bowser Bean Café Vantage Fuels.
“I feel very privileged to be supported by the entire Board and having fresh leaders join the Board will only strengthen our position to ensure we continue to deliver on the needs of the industry moving forward.”
