C&I Retailing Magazine August-September 2023

ENTRY TO THE $50K PALLET GIVEAWAY IS FOR RETAILERS

ATTEND TO WIN

Attendance at C&I Expo is free and open to the trade only

THERE ARE OVER 100 REASONS to visit this year’s C&I Expo in October. Let’s start with the fantastic array of exhibitors, who are all experts at what they do. They’re here to help you discover products and services to bring more customers through your door and improve your bottom line.

Then there are all the networking opportunities - at the Symposium, at the Drinks and just out on the floor. And if that’s not enough, how about $50,000 worth of stock for your store?

ONE very lucky retailer will win big just by visiting.

The $50K Retailer Pallet Giveaway

Convenience, Petrol and Independent Grocery retailers! Are you feeling lucky?

Visit C&I Expo in October for a chance to win goods and services for your store, valued over $50,000 rrp. Generously donated by exhibitors at C&I Expo 2023, you can view all the products up for grabs at the Giveaway stand. Be sure to check it out!

The C&I Industry Symposium

Each morning prior to the expo opening, retailers and suppliers have the opportunity to attend the C&I Industry Symposium. Our line-up of expert speakers and panellists will discuss topics concerning the Petrol & Convenience industry today, sharing insights and data, future trends, and debating the issues affecting retailers everywhere. Most importantly, you will learn how these relate directly to your business and how you can implement changes to stay at the forefront of convenience retailing.

Symposium speakers and panellists

Day 1 / 19 October 2023

08.00AM - 09:00AM Symposium Registration

09.00AM - 09:10AM Welcome. Safa de Valois, Group Publisher of C&I Media and Matt Dodson (MC) GM OOH of Patties Foods

09:10AM - 09.35AM Insight: AACS International Study Tour Review. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare shares the latest developments and trends in European convenience

09:35AM - 10:10AM Panel: Future Proofing Convenience Retail. Do you know which issues are a real threat to your survival? Lou Jardin (SPAR), Joanna Graham (bp), Michael Brick (Meris) and Theo Foukkare (AACS) discuss the pain points facing storeowners in the face of relentless evolution

10:10AM - 10:30AM Insight: Lou Jardin, MD SPAR Australia

10:30AM - 11:00AM Keynote: 10 in 10. Tushar Menon, Co-Founder & CEO of My Muscle Chef reveals the 10 key lessons he’s learned in 10 years of growing his business from a Potts Point kitchen to today’s $200 million per year healthy food empire

11AM - 5PM C&I Expo

Day 2 / 20 October 2023

09.00AM - 10:00AM Symposium Registration

10.00AM - 10:10AM Welcome. Safa de Valois and Matt Dodson (MC)

10:10AM - 10:30AM Insight: Fred Harrison, CEO of Ritchies

10:30AM - 10.50AM Insight: The Unspoken Customer. Bonnie McCoy, GM of Customology, reveals what consumers think of brands’ attempts to keep them loyal

10:50AM - 11:20AM Panel: The Value of Loyalty. Darren Park (UCB), Bonnie McCoy (Customology), Fred Harrison (Ritchies). Brands invest heavily in attracting new customers but does it work, and at what cost?

11:20AM - 12:00PM Spy Stories Q&A. Courage, resilience and leadership are exemplified by Jack Beaumont, former French spy turned author, who will share experiences from his extraordinarily dangerous life with France’s secret service. Questions from the audience are invited!

12PM - 4PM C&I Expo

Promotion T&Cs: This is a game of chance. Only Australian retailers are eligible to enter. Entries must be made in person at C&I Expo. The prize will be drawn 3-3.30pm Friday 20 October 2023 in Hall 2 at ICC Sydney. To be eligible to enter, retailers must own or operate at least one retail outlet and scan their badges at 50 exhibitor stands. If the winner is not present at the draw, the organisers will attempt to contact them by telephone. If there is no reply, there will be a redraw. The Prize is comprised of products and gift vouchers with a combined retail value of $50,000. The prize must be accepted as is. It cannot be exchanged for cash; products cannot be changed. Delivery of the pallet will be provided by C&I Media to a single destination at the conclusion of the show, or as soon as practical afterwards, and no later than Monday 23 October. Neither C&I Media nor ICC Sydney will be responsible for storing the goods after 21 October. If the goods are not dispatched as agreed, or not able to be delivered, they will be donated to a charity of our choosing.

Sponsors

Exclusive Expo & Symposium

Networking Drinks

Matt Dodson (MC) Patties Foods

Bonnie McCoy Customology

Darren Park UCB

Jack Beaumont Author

Fred Harrison Ritchies

Lou Jardin SPAR Australia

Joanna Graham bp

Theo Foukkare AACS

Michael Brick Meris Food Equipment

Tushar Menon My Muscle Chef

Symposium tickets are just $30 per session, or $50 for both. Purchase when you register for the show at candiexpo.com.au

ON THE COVER

C&I Expo. In a few short weeks visitors will pour into ICC Sydney for the Convenience retailers’ annual extravaganza. With over 100 exhibitors, a best-in-class Symposium line up, and the chance at a jaw-dropping giveaway, it is not to be missed. candiexpo.com.au

New

CONTACT DETAILS

Published by C&I Media Pty Ltd

(A division of The Intermedia Group)

41 Bridge Road (PO Box 55)

Glebe NSW 2037

Tel: 02 8586 6292

Fax: 02 9660 4419

E: magazine@c-store.com.au

Group Publisher

C&I Media Pty Ltd

Safa de Valois

Commercial Director

Safa de Valois safa@c-store.com.au

Editorial Director

James Wells james@intermedia.com.au

Managing Editor Thomas Oakley-Newell tom@c-store.com.au

Art Director

Alyssa Coundouris alyssac@intermedia.com.au

Production Manager

Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au

Production Assistant

Natasha Jara magazine.material@intermedia.com.au

Prepress

Tony Willson

PROUD MEMBERS OF:

Change is afoot

Welcome to the latest issue of Convenience & Impulse Retailing magazine, your trusted source of insights and trends in the fuel and convenience retail sector.

As you may have noticed, the magazine looks a little different. Just as it is important to occasionally reset the aisles in your store, it is important for us to maintain a refreshed and inviting feel to the magazine. We hope you enjoy the new design as much as we do.

convenience stores are redefining food service to meet the demands of busy, health-conscious customers.

In our EV feature, we delve into the strategies that convenience store owners can adopt to embrace sustainability, attract green-conscious customers, and contribute to a cleaner planet.

Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, also takes us to Europe for the AACS 2023 International Study Tour, where we visit Dublin, Oslo, and London to experience the latest in store design, retail formats, food concepts, technology, and loyalty.

INFORMATION PARTNERS:

In the August/September issue, we meet Matt Dodson, General Manager –OOH at Patties Foods, and take a trip to the unique Mirnirri Store, located in the remote community of Ali Curung, 378 km north of Alice Springs, and managed by Outback Stores.

THE FINE PRINT

The Intermedia Group takes its Corporate and Social Responsibilities seriously and is committed to reducing its impact on the environment. We continuously strive to improve our environmental performance and to initiate additional CSR based projects and activities.

As part of our company policy we ensure that the products and services used in the manufacture of this magazine are sourced from environmentally responsible suppliers. This magazine has been printed on paper produced from sustainably sourced wood and pulp fibre and is accredited under PEFC chain of custody.

PEFC certified wood and paper products come from environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests.

DISCLAIMER

This publication is published by C&I Media Pty Ltd (the “Publisher”). Materials in this publication have been created by a variety of different entities and, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher accepts no liability for materials created by others. All materials should be considered protected by Australian and international intellectual property laws. Unless you are authorised by law or the copyright owner to do so, you may not copy any of the materials.

The mention of a product or service, person or company in this publication does not indicate the Publisher’s endorsement. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent the opinion of the Publisher, its agents, company officers or employees. Any use of the information contained in this publication is at the sole risk of the person using that information. The user should make independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information before relying on that information.

All express or implied terms, conditions, warranties, statements, assurances and representations in relation to the Publisher, its publications and its services are expressly excluded save for those conditions and warranties which must be implied under the laws of any State of Australia or the provisions of Division 2 of Part V of the Trade Practices Act 1974 and any statutory modification or reenactment thereof. To the extent permitted by law, the Publisher will not be liable for any damages including special, exemplary, punitive or consequential damages (including but not limited to economic loss or loss of profit or revenue or loss of opportunity) or indirect loss or damage of any kind arising in contract, tort or otherwise, even if advised of the possibility of such loss of profits or damages. While we use our best endeavours to ensure accuracy of the materials we create, to the extent permitted by law, the Publisher excludes all liability for loss resulting from any inaccuracies or false or misleading statements that may appear in this publication.

Copyright © 2023 - C&I Media Pty Ltd.

We dive into the world of frozen treats, exploring unique flavours, artisanal creations, and the latest trends in the ice cream industry. Our buying group spotlight showcases the power of collaboration and community among convenience store owners. Discover how strategic partnerships are transforming the convenience store landscape, empowering small businesses to thrive in a competitive market.

From fresh and healthy grab-andgo options to gourmet sandwiches and specialty coffee offerings, our food service feature explores how

As always, we are grateful for our regular columnists Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, and Darren Park, CEO of UCB Stores. We also have special opinion pieces from Bonnie McCoy, General Manager at Customology, and Gorana Seeley, Vice President of Global Retail at ARHT.

Lastly, I’d like to say farewell to Associate Publisher Deb Jackson, who has moved on to a new role at a different magazine. We wish you all the best. You’ve left some metaphorically massive, yet physically tiny, shoes for me to step into.

Enjoy the magazine!

Cheers, Thomas Oakley-Newell

Safa de Valois

Alyssa Coundouris Thomas Oakley-Newell James Wells

Fini Jumbo Tornado Bar

The Fini Jumbo Tornado Bar is insanely delicious and a memorable sweet snack experience! It is a soft rainbow candy bar, that is sour on the outside and creamy on the inside.

This colourful, one-of-a-kind snack has teens all over Australia seeking it out to satisfy their hunger and sweet cravings. Made from the highest quality ingredients from the number one candymaker in Spain, Fini!

It’s Fun, It’s Fini!

sales@ctcaustralia.com

Croque Toasties – the winter taste sensation

Croques are a delightful escape from ordinary toasties. Your customers will love every rich and satisfying mouthful.

The Everyday Café range of perfectly grilled croques, topped with a unique cheesy sauce, will elevate your offer to new heights. Products are sold in ‘ovenable’, hot hold friendly plastic. Croques come in five flavour combinations, including cheesy egg and bacon as well as roast chicken and guacamole. To view the range, scan the QR code.

Call us to place your order or learn about our sample carton offer (new clients only).

1300 722 748

Life Savers fizzy and fun new flavours

Life Savers, the iconic Australian confectionery brand that has been a staple in everyone’s childhood, is launching a brand-new range of three products, perfect for grabbing on the go.

Life Savers Stix 40g range is available in two mouth-watering flavours, inspired by the #1 selling bag, Life Savers Mixed Sherbert Fizz Stix. Raspberry or Tropical flavoured tubes are filled with tangy sherbert fizz. The final new product is Life Savers Raspberry Twisters – long ropes, red in colour, with a soft, deliciously chewy texture. For more information contact The Distributors.

1800 989 022 | www.the-distributors.com.au

Fuel-Up Your Retail Business Expansion!

Take your retail business to new heights with IPL Retail Group’s latest sunglasses collection. IPL now offers an expanded range of products, from trendy mobile accessories to stylish footwear. By diversifying your inventory with IPL Retail Group’s sought-after lines, you’ll attract a wider customer base and boost sales. With its trusted brand reputation and commitment to quality, IPL Retail Group ensures each product stands out. Coupled with comprehensive marketing support, including eye-catching displays and targeted campaigns, IPL Retail Group empowers you to grow your retail empire. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to ignite your business expansion and captivate customers in multiple markets! For more information, please visit our website.

www.iplretail.com.au

I GREW UP surrounded by an abundance of bushland in Heathmont, one of Melbourne’s outer eastern suburbs. Looking back, it was a great place to grow up as a young child. It provided lots of opportunities for my friends and I to spend the afternoons venturing out on our bikes and exploring – as long as we were home before dark, or our parents would make us go without dinner. My parents actually still live in my childhood home.

I really enjoyed sports as a child with a particular passion for athletics. My preferred race was the 5,000m but unfortunately, at the age of 14, my athletics journey took a setback when a knee injury forced me to undergo reconstructive surgery.

My education was at Ringwood Technical School (now Eastern Secondary College) in Heathmont. Back

From Heathmont to the Himalayas, Matt Dodson, General Manager – OOH, Patties Foods, is a Melbourne boy with a passion for mountain climbing. He has a lovely wife of 28 years and three gorgeous daughters. This is his story…

in my day, Ringwood was known to be quite a rough environment. While education often took a backseat to survival in the schoolyard, looking back, I think this became a training ground for my sales skills.

There were often circumstances where you would either need to fight hard or quickly talk your way out of a sketchy situation, and for those who know me well, it’s evident that this environment allowed me to hone my ability to talk my way out of things very swiftly.

In Year 12, I made the decision to drop out of school and pursue my dream of becoming a chef, however, after 18 months of working from 2pm until 2am with only Thursday and Sunday off, I soon realised that becoming a chef demanded serious commitment, and as a 17-year-old at the time, I decided that my passion to become a chef wasn’t quite there.

Above: Matt and eldest daughter Eliza at Island Peak Summit

From here, I bounced around in hospitality for a few years before seizing a breakthrough opportunity as a Business Development Manager in the wine industry. I spent more than a decade in this industry working my way up within the sales channel. I simultaneously returned to university and ultimately obtained my Master of Business Marketing degree from Swinburne University.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of spending a significant time overseas, primarily for work purposes. While I’ve had the chance to work in various cities, Singapore holds a special place in my heart. It became a second home to me during a previous role, where I frequently commuted between Singapore and Melbourne.

Outside of work, I have a passion for mountain climbing in the Himalayas. There’s just something truly extraordinary about being surrounded by the world’s highest peaks and pushing yourself to unimaginable limits.

Making these climbs would not be possible without the incredible Nepalese Sherpas who provided invaluable support and guidance, it’s a true team effort. One of my proudest accomplishments was climbing Island Peak, reaching the altitude of 6,165m (20,305 feet), alongside my eldest daughter, Eliza. This summit marked our qualification as highaltitude mountain climbers.

I could speak endlessly about my Himalayan climbs and the numerous life lessons that have translated into my professional career.

I’m incredibly fortunate to have an amazing partner, Vicki, who has been unwavering in her support throughout my personal and professional adventures over the past 28 years. She’s the foundation of our family and balances all of this with her career as a yoga and Pilates teacher.

Vicki and I are blessed to have three beautiful daughters; Eliza, Sarah, and Lucy. Being a father to three girls has taught me the importance of having strong women in your life and the significance of gender balance in any workplace.

For the past six years, I’ve held the position of General Manager OOH (P&C, Foodservice, Corporate Accounts) at Patties, which has undoubtedly been the most fulfilling chapter of my career. Unlike previous experiences within the FMCG industry where cohesion was lacking and everyone seemed to pull in different directions, Patties has fostered an incredible culture. It has been a true team effort, and I vividly recall a colleague once remarking, “We started as work colleagues, but now we are family friends”. This rare and special bond permeates the entire Patties culture.

Right now, my focus is on the future of Patties and my desire to further develop this positive environment. As I mentioned earlier, when you’re part of something special, it gives you the room to continually improve and grow. The prospect of growth excites me, and I’m determined to seize opportunities, learn from them, and make a positive impact into the future. ■

“I have a passion for mountain climbing in the Himalayas. There’s just something truly extraordinary about being surrounded by the world’s highest peaks and pushing yourself to unimaginable limits.”

– Matt Dodson

Matt and wife Vicki at Hayman Island

Matt’s family; Lucy, Vicki, Sarah, and Eliza

Service your customers more efficiently with software specifically built for the FMCG industry

MyBrandz and Widget World are the innovations of Impulse Marketing’s Director, Karen Campbell. With over thirty years’ experience within the FMCG industry, from both a supplier (Cadbury) and wholesaler (The Distributors) perspective, Karen saw an opportunity to leverage her network and knowledge; connecting Suppliers with Wholesalers and Retailers across Australia.

Launch

Launching in October 1996, Brandz Online firstly commenced as a Trade Media publication, Fun Foods Journal. Recognising a massive disconnect within the industry, the publication was introduced to the market to keep Retailers all over Australia informed of new products, consumer and retailer promotions, industry news and statistical data. It was originally delivered to just over 16,000 retailers and the very first edition was only 16 pages. Fast forward 15 years and the reach had increased to 22,000 retailers on a bimonthly basis, 36 pages and a massive industry following. After a re-branding, Fun Foods Journal became Brandz@Retail in 2011.

Trailblazing Innovation

As an industry trailblazer and recognising the importance of speed of information to FMCG, the business model of Impulse Marketing quickly developed into Web and Mobile Apps. Supplier catalogues were migrated from purely print-based, to being made available directly through the Brandz Online website. With daily updates, there was now one central point that all key stakeholders – Suppliers, Wholesalers, Retailers and Consumers – could visit for all the latest product information, promotions and updates.

Continuing to innovate, Karen and the team developed world-first technology in their hybrid app – MyBrandz in 2014. Being the only App of its kind, MyBrandz puts both a digital resource and world-class marketing tool directly into the hands of the Suppliers and Wholesalers.

MyBrandz contains over 4,500 product images with matching bar-codes and pricing data, from 45 leading FMCG suppliers, plus thousands of pages industry information specific to the end user. Every possible piece of information needed for a Sales Team is contained in the MyBrandz APP.

On top of this, Suppliers and Wholesalers can now create their very own professional product catalogues and flyer’s through Widget World. Widget World is linked to all the data in MyBrandz. In an extremely user-friendly drag and drop system, Widget World allows quick creation of new marketing material, something that was in high-demand within an industry that experiences changes so rapidly.

The software is an ideal plug-in for an existing enterprise system looking to offer unique solutions to customers

Custom Built Solutions Suitable for

any Product

Our Sales Team rely on the MyBrandz App to sell and showcase our product range. It also contains hundreds of documents that we need to constantly reference in-store - we would be lost without MyBrandz.

Stella Newton Field Sales Manager Accredited Distributors

Synergy Across All Staff + Additional Sales

Retailer Ordering App

linked to a Marketing Dashboard for the Wholesaler

• Just launched with selected wholesalers

• First order was over $4,500

• Easy to use app for retailers who are time poor and want the convenience of an ordering app.

MyBrandzX was so easy to use - I found lots of new products to add to my order. I will definately use it to place my orders from now on MyBrandzX first customer

The Power of Widget World

My customers love and have embraced the new MyBrandz App. It gives us a distinct advantage over or competitors and makes us look most professional by far. I know my sales have lifted by using this and am sometimes surprised at what catches the customers eye.

Sales Representative

The Distributors Brisbane

Catalogue Builder

Test Case: Wholesaler uploaded over 400 barcode numbers in CSV format from selected products sitting in the Warehouse. Press GO! In 10 seconds Widget World matched 365 of the barcodes and created a 20 page catalogue of product images and barcodes. We then printed the catalogue in-house.

Fast forward two months - compared two months sales with same period last year over exact same range Result a 39% increase in sales. No Deals - just an easy to use sales tool for the reps.

We Continue To Innovate

Coming Soon

For Suppliers

Suppliers will soon have an alternative solution for their own Sales team. We are working with a number of Suppliers to build a best practice solution.

Turn-In order Consistency

Ability to create product PDF’s directly from the App

Imagine creating professional sales flyers, weekly and monthly promotional catalogues all in-house Drag and drop images, price points, seasonal backgrounds etc Export artwok to print or email to customers Its going to be BIG.

Outback Oasis

In a remote community 378km north of Alice Springs sits Mirnirri Store, a small store with a big emphasis on affordability and nutrition.

Words Thomas Oakley-Newell

LOCATED IN THE remote community of Ali Curung, 378 km north of Alice Springs, Mirnirri Store is an incredibly unique site which caters to around 350 Indigenous residents who speak the languages of Warlpiri, Warumungu, Alyawarr or Kaytete.

In 2008, the community engaged Outback Stores to manage the store that is community-owned, with a local board of directors and any profits return to the community. Outback Stores was founded in November 2006 to improve the health of Indigenous people in remote Australia by addressing nutritionrelated health problems, unreliable food supplies, and poor management practices associated with retail community stores.

It was an initiative led by the Commonwealth Government, with help from corporate retail experts who assisted in setting up the organisation in its early stages. Although Outback Stores currently manages 51 locations across remote Australia, a large number of remote stores are independently run and so do not have the same focus on nutrition and affordability.

Most remote Indigenous communities only have one store, with the next one sometimes hundreds of kilometres away. Ali Curung has just one grocery store and one privately-owned bakery, also selling a few pantry items.

The difference at Mirnirri Store is there is a much larger range of groceries and fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as takeaway food options. Another major difference is that store profits are returned to the community and utilised for activities such as sports carnivals, music equipment, and funeral expenses.

Outback offering

Crissy Cooper is the co-manager of Mirnirri Store, working alongside her husband, Joe Cooper. Originally from the Philippines, she has been living in Australia since 2013 and already had two years’ experience working in remote communities before starting with Outback Stores a year ago.

With Mirnirri Store being managed by Outback Stores, it has a greater emphasis on affordability and nutrition compared to independent stores. For example, you won’t find any food deep-fried in oil, with air-fryers used instead. Full-sugar soft drink can only be bought in small bottles and is also priced higher than diet soft-drink. Cold bottled water is located at the front of the store, with soft drink found towards the back. Neither will you find confectionery sold at the front of the store, like it is in most convenience stores.

The store’s availability of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as the pricing, is better than most competitors, because Outback Stores’ pricing policy considers and promotes mechanisms to keep healthy product prices as low as possible. The company is focused on improving affordability of healthy food, with fruit and vegetable prices maintained as close as possible to major metropolitan retailers.

“We want to give good service and healthy food to our customers,” says Cooper, who regularly assembles promotions including healthy food items at reduced prices.

To encourage sales of certain items, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, Cooper took the initiative of creating promotions including a variety of useful items at special prices.

Frozen kangaroo tails are a very popular item sold in remote Indigenous communities, so naturally Cooper included them in her promotions. But to Crissy’s surprise, a photo she shared of some happy customers with their kangaroo tail caught the attention on Facebook of people all around the country, and even overseas, receiving the highest engagement of any social media post by Outback Stores, with almost 3,000 people liking the post and 137 people commenting.

“I’m so happy that they really like the kangaroo tail promotion. And even people on the internet loved them!” says Cooper, who was shocked to discover that the social media post had attracted so much attention.

Cooper repeats the promotion every so often, changing them slightly each time. But the ones with kangaroo tails are always the most popular sellers.

“People will tell me ‘Crissy, we miss your promotion with the kangaroo tails!’ It makes them happy; they really love it.”

Cooper also makes sure there is always fresh fruit salad and other healthy snacks offered in the takeaway, as well as nutritious school lunches.

Mirnirri Store provides meals as part of the Australian government’s School Nutrition Program, which encourages improved attendance and learning outcomes by providing healthy and nutritious meals for children whilst at school. The store prepares up to 60 school lunches each day, and Cooper is happy that the store’s kitchen can contribute to improving school attendance in the community.

A few years ago, Ali Curung’s local store directors decided to implement ‘Sugar-Free Wednesdays’ in which no full-sugar soft drinks are sold. These healthy outcomes are driven by local store directors wanting to tackle diet-related health problems, in line with Outback Stores’ Healthy Food Policy.

“We love to see community leaders taking action to improve health outcomes and are always keen to assist in implementing the measures they choose,” said Anna Murison, Health and Nutrition Manager for Outback Stores.

Logistical challenges

The remote location of Ali Curung brings many logistical challenges, with the closest town a twohour drive to Tennant Creek. It is not uncommon for remote communities to be inaccessible by road for weeks or even months during the wet season.

Stock is often required to be flown in by light plane or helicopter during this time. Despite this, the range and quality of fresh fruit, vegetables and other healthy staples remains at a consistently high standard all year round, thanks to Outback Stores’ extensive experience in this arena.

Working in a cross-cultural environment where values, obligations, and priorities differ can present many challenges. Communities have comparatively small populations and can be very transient in nature. Seasonal weather, along with cultural commitments can lead to significant population shifts.

In general, suppliers have collaboratively worked with Mirnirri Store and have ensured a consistent supply of goods over the years. One of the key challenges remaining is closing the gap between the pricing of mainstream retailers and remote stores. ■

“We love to see community leaders taking action to improve health outcomes and are always keen to assist in implementing the measures they choose.”

- Anna Murison, Health and Nutrition Manager, Outback Stores.

L-R: Charnisha Brown, Crissy Cooper, and Eeliyah Brown

Eeliyah and Charnisha Brown prepping meals as part of the Australian government’s School Nutrition Program

PODCAST

In-depth coverage of news, events, and insights relating to the petrol and convenience channel, brought to you by the team at C&I.

The inside scoop

The P&C channel continues to be a key focus for ice cream brands looking to satisfy the needs of a growing consumer demographic seeking convenient, bite-sized indulgent treats.

Words Lizzie Hunter

AFTER A TOUGH year in 2021 due to lower delivery usage and decreased mobility, the ice cream category bounced back in 2022, experiencing significant growth of more than 12 per cent, delivered by both ice cream and icy pole singles, according to the AACS State of the Industry Report 2022

Parita Parekh, Category Manager of Convenience and Specialty at Peters, explains that the ice cream category is highly impulsive, with 64 per cent of consumer purchases being unplanned.

“The P&C channel plays an important role in the Peters ice cream business for satisfying the needs of consumers looking to consume ice cream while out and about,” says Parekh.

“Our major brands like Maxibon, Drumstick, and Connoisseur as well as those that offer fun and novelty, such as the Milo cup, are some of our strongest ice cream brands in the channel.

“The category is highly impulsive, and seeing point of sale, the freezer or other marketing activations in store can help trigger the desire for ice cream. It’s a channel where our ice cream is often eaten immediately after purchase, so it is imbued with a sense of joy and anticipation even at the point of purchase.”

But Parekh adds it’s not all about impulse buying.

“The channel has had to evolve and shift, especially since the pandemic. We now have consumers coming into the channel to purchase tubs to take home and eat later. This segment of the category has grown from 21 per cent share of channel sales in 2019 to almost 23 per cent by the end of 2022,” says Parekh.

“A lot of this growth has been driven by shifting habits during COVID and the rise of home delivery within some P&C retailers that sees products delivered straight to people’s homes. It’s a whole new stream of convenience for this channel and taps into the treating need when staying at home, sitting on the couch and watching a movie.”

Dimi Kyriazis, Director of Sales and Marketing at South Australian ice cream company Golden North, says the P&C channel provides new opportunities for ice cream manufacturers to reach a wider audience.

“The P&C channel is frequented by a range of different consumers every day,” Kyriazis says. “It gives us the opportunity to build up the Golden North brand and tap into new audiences that we wouldn’t necessarily have access to via a supermarket.

“While we are most known for the popular Simply Indulge tub range, our current focus in the P&C channel is promoting our ‘Giant Twins’ product, which comes in a variety of flavours, from traditional vanilla to liquorice, banana, salted caramel, strawberry, and spearmint.

“While we do face some challenges in regard to the price, the product does reflect great value for money for consumers and our data shows that the Giant Twins are the highest value turnover multipack within the supermarket sector, demonstrating consumers are generally happy to pay for the quality,” says Kyriazis.

Cian Dawson, co-founder of Gym Bod, says the P&C channel aligns with Gym Bod’s key customer demographic and is therefore a key focus for the ice cream manufacturer.

“We are focusing more on the P&C channel as we grow our distribution network across Australia to target a growing sector of consumers whose focus is on convenience and day by day purchases,” says Dawson.

“As a result, we’re seeing our presence is increasing in convenience stores like Woolworths Metro across the east coast of Australia. I think it’s great when you see P&C retailers out there supporting small Australian businesses and putting brands like Gym Bod on their shelves. It’s a win for us in terms of getting our brand out there, but it’s also a win for the retailers wanting to attract healthconscious consumers with a low-calorie, indulgent ice cream option.”

Market trends

The AACS State of the Industry Report 2022, also reported that ice cream singles returned to positive growth in 2022 for the first time since 2019. Dawson has recognised this growing consumer focus on single serve ice cream.

“We’re definitely seeing more consumers reaching for single serve, low calorie options, which is working really well for our brand which offers ‘better-for-you’, high protein and low sugar ice cream,” says Dawson.

“Our core ice-cream range is the fastest growing ‘better for you’ 475ml tub range. Our strongest performers come in a white chocolate, raspberry ripple flavour and chocolate pudding ice cream.

“On the flip side, there is also a real focus on ultra-indulgent options, which I think is a result of people trying to save money due to the

rising costs of living. Consumers are choosing to eat in more, so they are spending more on luxury items as opposed to eating desserts out at a restaurant.”

Andrea Hamori, Head of Marketing at Peters, says that her brand’s indulgence segment makes up over a third of impulse sales.

“In more recent times, we have started to see the merging of indulgence and snacking – a trend we can see playing out across many difference categories and that really exploded throughout the COVID pandemic,” says Hamori.

“During the pandemic we saw consumers beginning to take regular snacking items and transform them into super indulgent creations. At Peters we couldn’t think of a better brand than our Connoisseur brand to capture and bring this trend to life for the ice cream category.”

Current challenges

Parekh says there is still a lot of uncertainty around what comes next for the ice cream category from an economic point of view.

“The uncertainty around when interest rate rises will stop, when inflation will start to turnaround, wage growth and continued supply chain challenges, cyberattacks, and the unrest in Ukraine continue to challenge businesses everywhere,” says Parekh.

“For Peters, our focus is on gauging what impact this will have on Australian ice cream lovers and shopper behaviour in the short and long term.”

Kyriazis adds that the availability of ingredients and transport are also key challenges facing the industry. →

“It gives us the opportunity to build up the Golden North brand and tap into new audiences that we wouldn’t necessarily have access to via a supermarket.”

- Dimi Kyriazis, Director of Sales and Marketing, Golden North

P&C is a key focus for Gym Bod

“Challenges still exist, especially in regard to supply chain, however they are improving,” says Kyriazis.

“The availability of dairy ingredients is always becoming more finite in Australia. As an ice cream manufacturer, you’re constantly looking at other innovations and technologies that can help you stretch your milk and cream further.”

Another challenge, Kyriazis explained, is the consideration of the availability of freezer transport and freezer space.

“We recently lost Scott’s Refrigerated Logistics – a major player in transporting goods between states – so the cost of logistics has certainly increased due to that event.”

In-store selling

Point of sale (POS) is critical to drive engagement and penetration when it comes to positioning ice cream brands in store, says Parekh.

“Ice cream in P&C is highly impulsive – most shoppers do not plan to buy ice cream when they enter an outlet. Instead, the majority will buy an ice cream once they get to a freezer.

“The key to conversion is getting shoppers to the ice cream freezer, aided by emotive point of sale along their path to purchase. That’s why Peters continue to invest in a broad suite of POS and off location freezer solutions that help engage the consumer in-store across the entire path to purchase.”

This is becoming increasingly challenging for the category, as brands compete for real estate against other food and beverage offers in these outlets.

“We believe that innovation is key in this channel to continue to drive excitement and attract consumers to the freezer. Shoppers are highly likely to trial new products in P&C with the majority of these shoppers repeat purchasing the product,” explains Parekh.

Dawson says that Gym Bod is best sold next to the most indulgent options in store.

“We want to be right next to the Ben and Jerry’s and Connoisseurs,” says Dawson. “We want people to be able to make ‘better-for-you’ choices right there in the moment rather than going to a specific health food section. We want to be right there with our major competitors.”

Kyriazis says the major drawcard for Golden North is the fact that it has been rated as Australia’s number one ice cream by Canstar Blue for an unprecedented five years in a row.

“The significant award acknowledges Golden North for having the ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ for our ice cream tubs nationally – a title we have held consecutively since 2018.

“Golden North has proudly been making ice cream from fresh milk and cream in the regional town of Laura, South Australia since 1923. Our ice cream is palm-oil free, nut free and gluten free, and we have recently launched a dairy free range which caters to a section of the community that has minimal offerings. We’re also a proud South Australian family owned and operated business so we enjoy working with other independent family businesses,” says Kyriazis. ■

“We are focusing more on the P&C channel as we grow our distribution network across Australia to target a growing sector of consumers whose focus is on convenience and day by day purchases.”

- Cian Dawson, Co-Founder, Gym Bod

SALTED

CARAMEL & MACADAMIA

COOKIES & CREAM MINT & COOKIES

VANILLA CARAMEL BROWNIE

Electric Avenue

ELECTRIC VEHICLES HAVE come a long way in a short time, with new data from Roy Morgan1 showing over half a million Australians plan to buy an electric vehicle in the next four years – an increase of more than 1,230 per cent compared to four years ago.

An electric vehicle (EV) is any vehicle that is fully or partially driven by an electric motor and can be plugged in to charge, from vehicles like bikes, cars, buses, and trucks, all the way to trains, boats and even planes.

There are three main types of EVs, each with varying reliance on electricity to run. The first type are BEVs – battery powered EVs that are 100 per cent run on electricity and which require charging through either a power grid or other source. The second, plug-in hybrids (PHEV), use batteries similar to BEVs, but also have an internal combustion engine. The last and most common form are HEVs, or hybrid vehicles, which operate similarly to BEVs, but can’t be plugged in for charging. While concerns about climate change2 and reducing carbon dioxide emissions have been present for decades, the attraction of electric vehicles started to take-off during 2019 as a greater range of electric vehicles, including more affordable models, came to market.

In the year to March 2019 only 41,000 Australians intended to purchase an electric vehicle within the

next four years. This figure increased by more than 60 per cent to 66,000 within one year and has increased rapidly ever since.

Behyad Jafari, CEO of the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), says there is now widespread acceptance that the zero-emission technology is not only critical to Australia achieving its climate targets, but also for the country to reduce its dependency on uncertain and expensive global fuel supplies.

“New EV purchases in Australia almost doubled in 2022, compared to 2021,” he said.

“While this is a promising sign that the local market is continuing to grow, we still significantly trail the global average, which is currently estimated to have been between 12 to 14 per cent in 2022. It is also significantly behind markets in our region, like China, which has been reported to have achieved almost 28 per cent EV sales in 2022.”

EV adoption rate vs EV infrastructure rate

Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), says while the data from Roy Morgan isn’t surprising, the question is whether Australia will have the infrastructure to support the increase in EVs on the road.

Words Lizzie Hunter

As electric vehicles become a more familiar sight on Australian roads, service stations are adapting their on-the-road convenience offering to meet changing customer expectations.

“While federal and state governments are rolling out supposed ‘electric highways’, their approach is not global best practice – they are persisting in predominantly rolling out slow charging equipment, which is exactly what countries like Norway and the United Kingdom are now replacing with fast charging equipment based on the user experience and their learnings,” Foukkare said.

Norway currently has the world’s largest EV ownership per capita and is a global leader in EV uptake.3

“The Norway experience tells us that 75 per cent of charging will be done at home or work and the balance is being completed on the go,” says Foukkare. “However, it is a vastly different geography to Australia so the numbers don’t necessarily translate that well in Australia.

“Consumers even in Norway are still having to plan their trip around where they can charge, and they are learning quickly that fast charging (150kw up to 350kw) equipment is what is required to keep everyone moving. Fast charging is only possible when the electricity grid can support this level of power in a location, which us still either limited in availability or very expensive to achieve.”

Introducing a fuel efficiency standard

Foukkare also points out that Australia does not have a fuel efficiency standard in place, resulting in next to no motivation for overseas car manufacturers to aggressively deliver EV cars into Australia.

A fuel efficiency standard consists of a series of yearly targets for new vehicles sold by car makers, based on their tailpipe emissions.

“This has resulted in Australia being used as a dumping ground for ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicles,” he said.

Jafari agrees, adding the introduction of an ambitious fuel efficiency standard in Australia will not only help to further expand the range of EV models available to Australians, but also the number of each model supplied to the country – noting that many of the top 20 models are still only being supplied in small numbers to Australia.

“Only a fraction of EV models available globally are being supplied to Australia since we do not have a mandatory fuel efficiency standard,” said Jafari.

“In order to achieve our emission reduction targets, EV uptake needs to accelerate significantly. This can only be achieved with the introduction of an ambitious and robust fuel efficiency standard that will ensure Australia becomes a priority market for supplying affordable EVs.

“We support the Australian Government introducing a Fuel Efficiency Standard as soon as possible, so many more EVs and fuel-efficient vehicles are brought to our country for all Australians to benefit from.” →

“While federal and state governments are rolling out supposed ‘electric highways’, their approach is not global best practice – they are persisting in predominantly rolling out slow charging equipment.”

– Theo Foukkare, CEO, Australian Association of Convenience Stores

AmpCharge is Ampol’s new charging infrastructure

Ampol plans to roll out 120 AmpCharge sites by December 2023

Charging up on-the-road convenience Australian energy company Viva Energy is responding to the uptake of EVs in Australia by expanding its on-the-road convenience offer, which includes EV charging.

“Viva Energy recognises that EVs are going to have an important role to play in Australia’s transport landscape,” says Jevan Bouzo, CEO Convenience & Mobility, Viva Energy.

“While we are currently hosting some EV chargers as part of the Evie Network, we have plans to expand our broader on-the-road convenience offer, which includes EV charging.

“A key part of our strategy to enable the best customer experience has been the acquisition of 700 Coles Express outlets and the announced plan to acquire the market-leading convenience retailer On The Run (OTR).”

Bouzo explains Viva Energy’s intention is to introduce OTR’s brand and convenience retail offering to the Coles Express network.

“This will, in part, provide improved dwell-time experience for people waiting for their EVs to be charged, by offering a high quality convenience and food offering, which incorporates internationally recognised quick-service restaurants. Our focus is on delivering the most convenient and best place to stop, rest and eat on the way to a destination, as we deploy fast, reliable EV-charging services.”

Similarly, Ampol is testing opportunities in the quick service restaurant (QSR) space to win customers over in the long-term.

Following a trip to Europe last year, Kate Thomson, Executive General Manager, Retail Australia at Ampol, says meeting and engaging with a range of industry stakeholders provided useful perspectives on the rollout of charging infrastructure in Australia and the role retail business will play in supporting transition.

In a recent Ampol Powering Next piece Thomson notes there is a strong ongoing need for public charging.

“The experience in Norway demonstrates that as people get more confident with on-the-go ultrafast charging, more of it occurs on-the-go rather than at home,” she said.

“In metropolitan areas, more dedicated charging locations will gradually become the solution for the long-term. This means that the right sites need to be identified early on and provisioned to grow with the broader EV market.”

Thomson also pointed out that site amenity, security and cleanliness is critical to attract customers making the transition.

“Charging an EV naturally requires longer dwell times than customers today. Ensuring customers feel safe and secure – from good lighting and round the clock staff, to well-maintained toilets and broader facilities – supports decision making on preferred charging sites,” she said.

“Having a QSR and broader retail offer is also important to win customers. Allowing EV users to grab a meal, coffee, or even ingredients for dinner while they charge is critical and provides a reason to bypass remote charging sites next to highways with little amenity.”

While the Australian EV market still has a long way to go to catch up to the global average, Jafari says the nation is starting to head in the right direction.

“This is in large part thanks to the actions of Australian federal, state and territory governments, all of which are now actively supporting the adoption of electric vehicles and recognise the critical role this technology has to play in achieving emission reduction targets.”

1,2www.roymorgan.com/findings/9258-electric-vehicle-intention-soars-june-2023

“In order to achieve our emission reduction targets, EV uptake needs to accelerate significantly. This can only be achieved with the introduction of an ambitious and robust fuel efficiency standard that will ensure Australia becomes a priority market for supplying affordable EVs.”

- Behyad Jafari, CEO, Electric Vehicle Council

Over half a million Australians plan to buy an EV in the next four years

Collective power

AS IS THE case with many industries around Australia, the convenience retail industry has faced a number of changes and challenges over recent years.

From supply chain disruptions and labour shortages to rising business operating costs and changing consumer behaviours, the industry can be an increasingly competitive and complicated landscape for retailers to navigate.

Becoming part of a retail buying group can help independent convenience retailers overcome these challenges, through cost savings, improved margins, access to a wider range of products, shared expertise, and collective marketing.

Combined purchasing power

According to Darren Park, CEO of UCB (United Convenience Buyers), buying groups primarily exist for one simple reason, which is to help independent convenience retailers who are interested in buying similar products, gain leverage through their combined purchasing power.

“That leverage ultimately generates preferable buying prices and contract terms, saving the retailer effort through reducing internal procurement resources and enhances profitability,” Park says.

“Most retailers really want to focus on areas in which they excel which is leading their teams and helping shoppers with satisfying their shopping missions.”

Park adds that buying groups also exist to benefit trade partners and suppliers.

“Trade partners can take advantage of an expanded availability and market share across what might have been once a less organised trade channel, increased access to industry insights and data and enhanced category buyer relationships. Suppliers can also take a strategic approach to how they resource and train their teams that support buying groups.”

Expert marketing support

Bennett’s Petroleum has been part of a buying group for more than 10 years and its CEO Troy Bennett says the organisation has experienced a number of benefits from the buying group membership, including having access to better pricing, improved marketing and advertising strategies as well as educational opportunities for staff.

“We have access to new products at better prices as well as expert marketing advice and exclusive marketing materials,” Bennett says. “Our marketing campaigns are a lot stronger now with exclusive in-store promotions and eye-catching displays which encourage impulse buys from customers.

“There’s also a fantastic loyalty program, where members are rewarded for consistently buying through the group,” Bennett says.

C&I Magazine explores what a retail buying group is and the benefits these groups can offer small, independent businesses.

Opportunities to educate staff

Bennett adds that buying group conferences provide a fantastic opportunity for his staff to upskill, acquire new knowledge and network with likeminded people.

“The educational opportunities at these forums can be quite profound in terms of our people meeting and learning from others in the industry who experience similar wins and challenges, learning to identify where we can improve and knowing that we have the support from other retailers around Australia. It keeps staff really engaged with the industry which is great for our business.

“It also provides an added level of security from an employer point of view. I can trust that my staff are making sure our stores are compliant with promotional requirements and that we are merchandising correctly. You’d be surprised how many people don’t know how to merchandise – they simply fill up shelf space because the space is there which is the last thing you want to do. You want to make sure that the product has an impact on customers when they walk through the door. If it’s too cluttered then you risk missing the mark.”

Bennett’s Petroleum recently won the Overall Store of the Year Award at the 2023 Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) Awards for its Mood Food Kempton site.

“Winning the award is obviously a highlight of the year so far. Mood Food Kempton is a magnificent site that we built on the highway between Hobart and Launceston,” says Bennett.

“The site has indoor and outdoor seating for up to 70 people, it has a football ground, netball and basketball courts and a dog run, and of course an incredible fresh food offering. We planned the retail store layout using our buying group’s planogram, so special attention is paid to specific product placement and displays, as well as point-of-sale locations, leading to the best of both worlds in that store.” →

“UCB works to a simple and effective philosophy, which we call UCB’s Three Way Win. Whatever decisions we make must be good for the member first, good for the trade partner second, and good for UCB third.”

– Darren Park, CEO, UCB

The Mood Food Kempton site

A buying group provides retailers with expert merchandising advice

UCB’s Three Way Win

Along with product and promotional benefits, Park says UCB members enjoy supply chain and technical support as well as instore layout and design ideas.

“UCB works to a simple and effective philosophy, which we call UCB’s Three Way Win. Whatever decisions we make must be good for the member first, good for the trade partner second, and good for UCB third,” says Park.

“If we make decisions in a different order, the model doesn’t work. When all parties feel that their interests are respected and addressed, they are more likely to engage in long-term collaborations. This promotes trust, loyalty, and continued cooperation which fosters ongoing partnerships.

“The biggest changes for many retailers in the last 12 months, have been the major challenges we’ve confronted across supply chain, cost inflation and labour access, which are all to a degree related. Whilst we haven’t solved all these issues, as an industry we’ve had to talk openly and frankly about the root causes and bring solutions to the table. I’d like to think that many suppliers have been surprised and delighted by the range of solutions, we have created together.”

Park explained that while the environment is challenging, he is proud that the UCB team has, with very few exceptions, continued to grow.

“We’ll keep focusing on improving our support of independent retailers, through promotions that cut through and drive conversion, more member education and insights on navigating through tough times and giving trade partners and suppliers more reasons to support the entire convenience channel.” ■

Six ways a buying group could help your business

1

Increased bargaining power: One of the primary advantages of joining a buying group is the enhanced negotiating power that comes with collective purchasing. By amalgamating the purchasing needs of multiple convenience stores, buying groups can command more favourable terms, discounts, and promotions from suppliers and manufacturers. This ability to secure better pricing leads to improved profit margins for each participating store.

2

Access to a diverse product range: Buying groups also enable convenience stores to access a wider range of products from various suppliers. Independent retailers may find it challenging to maintain a vast inventory due to budget constraints, but by joining a buying group, they gain access to a broader selection without tying up excessive capital.

3

Shared expertise and resources: Buying groups often offer valuable resources and expertise to their members, including market insights, industry trends, and best practices. Such information-sharing fosters innovation and helps individual stores adapt to changing customer demands effectively.

4

Marketing and advertising support: Working together as a unified entity, buying groups can pool their resources to fund marketing and advertising campaigns that would be costprohibitive for individual stores. Coordinated marketing efforts enhance brand visibility and customer engagement, ultimately driving foot traffic and sales.

5 Operational efficiency: By leveraging combined purchasing power, buying groups can streamline their supply chain and distribution processes. Consolidating orders and deliveries leads to reduced logistical complexities and cost efficiencies, benefiting both the members and suppliers.

6 Financial benefits: Joining a buying group can often provide additional financial benefits to individual store owners, such as shared membership fees, bulk purchase discounts, and potential revenue-sharing opportunities.

“We have access to new products at better prices as well as expert marketing advice and exclusive marketing materials.”

– Troy Bennett, CEO, Bennett’s Petroleum

Mood Food Kempton's impressive café offer

better pricing leads to improved profit margins for each participating store.

2 Access to a diverse product range: Buying groups also enable convenience stores to

www.ucbstores.com.au

Secrets to foodservice success

Words Lizzie Hunter

Foodservice surpassed $1 billion in value for the first time in 2022 and is set to continue driving growth in the industry for years to come as retailers invest heavily in the offer.

NOW RECOGNISED AS one of the fastest growing categories, foodservice saw a value growth of more than 21.4 per cent last year and has achieved double digit growth for six years running, according to data from the AACS State of the Industry Report 2022

Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), says the growth of foodservice over the past two years alone has equalled $319 million in value or 36 per cent as convenience retailers continue to build momentum and provide everyday Australians with great quality food to keep them recharged and rehydrated.

“While the category margin was down slightly as retailers focused on stock availability and had higher waste which impacted margin, the dollar share of sales for foodservice has jumped from 6.9 per cent in 2018 to 11.9 per cent in 2022 and has more than doubled in value over that time,” said Foukkare.

“Take Home Food has had the exact same growth rate over the last two years, up more than 21.9 per cent, adding more than $94 million in value or 49 per cent over that time.

“Even though Bakery Snacks was the lowest growth category for the second straight year, it was still up significantly by more than 13.2 per cent versus 2021 which was only up by 0.7 per cent.”

Foukkare adds that retailers’ growing focus on foodservice is underpinned by the belief that convenience stores can become hubs for shoppers to eat, drink and spend time in, rather than simply a place to fill up on fuel and go.

“With electric vehicles on the rise, this is becoming more likely as shoppers can now be on site longer as they wait for their cars to charge,” says Foukkare.

“By becoming more of a ‘hangout’ where consumers can not only order food but spend time and even relax, convenience stores can gain more foodservice traction.”

Consistency is key

As an established food offering in the P&C channel, Bowser Bean’s foodservice has enjoyed continuous growth over the past six years, with take-away food up by 15 per cent compared to last year, says Haydn Tierney, Managing Director.

“Over the summer period we saw increasing demand for our cold foodservice offer, which covers a traditionally healthier range, like salad rolls, salads and yoghurt and muesli,” explains Tierney.

“The demand was so noticeable that we found it a little hard to keep our displays full, which is always a great problem to have, so we started looking to increase the volume of these items in our stores.

“As we track into winter, we’re now starting to see traditional comfort foods like burgers, egg and bacon rolls, and muffins become very popular.”

Tierney says the company has adapted its foodservice offer by taking a network approach to the supply of products.

“We want to ensure we can offer the same high-quality product across our whole network,” he explains. “While that has meant reducing our lines in some cases, it means what we are offering is consistent, high-quality, and convenient fresh food.

“We continue to invest in training and upskilling our staff, but we’re aware of the limitations on our size, so our focus is offering products that can be replicated and resonate with the customer.”

Tierney adds that cost of goods and the ability to manufacture on site is essential when deciding which products to range.

“Everything on our menu is manufactured on site, so we need to make sure we can produce the food with minimal outlay and at a reasonable price for our customer.”

APCO Service Stations is taking a similar approach to ensuring its retailers are providing a consistent offer across the network says Karl Wilson, Senior Executive of Retail Operations at APCO.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve adapted our food service offer to focus on consistency; making sure we have the processes and procedures in place that our retailers can execute,” says Wilson.

“We’ve been particularly focused on making sure that retailers are using the same recipes across the entire network. To support this,

we’ve even expanded our food service team and our support office with more hospitality professionals who can provide hands on experience in that sector.

“Traditionally, the customer service base for P&C was around confectionery and cold beverages. Now, the opportunity lies in the high traffic flow of people who are very time poor, so we want to make sure that if we have an offer, that offer is consistent across our stores from Geelong to Mildura.”

While remaining true to APCO’s traditional foodservice offering, Wilson says the company is also expanding its range to include products to meet different dietary requirements of customers and providing retailers with the flexibility to tap into local markets.

“We are seeing more people basing their purchasing decisions on dietary requirements, so we’re providing products that are gluten free, vegetarian and vegan,” says Wilson.

“We’re also seeing different purchasing trends relating to geographics. While we have our core food range offering, we also provide our retailers with a level of flexibility so they can tap into the local market, so one site might find a pastry or pie is quite popular, whereas another might find a kebab style dish is more popular among customers.”

Café range contributes to growth

Maintaining high standards for its café and coffee range has influenced the growth of Jasbe Petroleum’s food offering according to Kerry Karavalakis, Retail Consultant at Jasbe.

“Our food service category has become a vital part of our store offering,” explains Karavalakis. →

“By becoming more of a ‘hangout’ where consumers can not only order food but spend time and even relax, convenience stores can gain more foodservice traction.”

- Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS

APCO's Café 24/7 offer Bowser Bean has invested in its social media presence

“We attribute this growth to our commitment in providing our customers with fresh on the go snacks and meals, including Daniels Donuts and pies which are baked fresh daily.

“We have also experienced a significant increase in our café beverages, such as hand scooped milkshakes, barista coffee and specialty Lindt chocolate beverages and double-digit growth in our barista coffee category.”

Jasbe has invested in new store fit outs that make the stores look and feel like a café or bakery, where customers can sit, relax, and recharge.

“While our food and beverage offer is a vital part of our business, it is not the only factor that influences customer satisfaction. We also care about creating a pleasant and comfortable store experience and delivering outstanding customer service,” says Karavalakis.

“We continue to maintain our high barista coffee standards and have formed strategic partnerships with Daniels Donuts, Laurent, and Lindt, to offer a variety of delicious treats.

APCO’s foodservice category growth has also been driven by its café range, according to Wilson.

“Our coffee sales are extremely strong, so we’ve invested quite heavily in training our barista staff and expanding our coffee offering, so we have more baristas on our sites so there is always someone on site prepared to make a coffee,” said Wilson.

A new approach to marketing

Bowser Bean has implemented a range of new marketing measures to broaden its reach, says Tierney.

“Bowser Bean has an incredibly loyal customer base, so our goal over the past 12 months was to increase our exposure to new customers,” he said.

“Along with our regular brand activations with our coffee vans and combis at events, we’re a lot more active on social media after recently partnering with a social media agency.

“Since we operate in regional communities in NSW and Victoria, we also invested in a regional television campaign that we believe will resonate with those audiences.”

APCO Service Stations has also adapted its marketing strategies to put foodservice at the forefront of its offering, says Wilson.

“Over the last few years, a lot of our marketing was traditionally around cold beverages and confectionery, but now foodservice is at the forefront of our offering,” he said.

“Following a recent burger promotion, we saw an increase of 40 per cent in burger sales – with 65 per cent of those sales not actually relating to the burger that was in the promotion. So, we’re calling out to our customers to let them know we have a wide foodservice offering.

“We’ve been in the market for quite a few years now, and have a large customer base, but we continue to adapt so we can target the next generation of customers coming through our doors.”

Tips for 2023

As retailers continue investing into better quality, freshly prepared food, foodservice is set to continue its stellar six years of growth in 2023.

“We understand the needs and expectations of our customers when it comes to fresh food,” says Karavalakis.

“Before committing to a product, we ask ourselves one simple question: would we eat it? Quality is our key driver. No one complains about price if the food and coffee is fresh and delicious.

“We understand the importance of getting our food and coffee right, as it builds customer loyalty and increases customer frequency. We will continue to expand our food for now and food for later offer over the next 12 months.”

Tierney says there is no silver bullet or magic product that’s going to help you win foodservice.

“Everyone is always looking for the next big thing, but the key is you have to be able to do something really well,” says Tierney. “It’s about finding a simple, delicious range and delivering it really well consistently.

“We’re in the game of convenience, so your food has to be available from open to close.”

“We continue to invest in training and upskilling our staff, but we’re aware of the limitations on our size, so our focus is offering products that can be replicated and resonate with the customer.”

- Haydn Tierney, Managing Director, Bowser Bean

Jasbe has formed a strategic partnership with Daniels Donuts

Milkybar and Milo team up for new product

Milkybar and Milo have collaborated to launch Milkybar Milo in convenience retailers and supermarkets across Australia.

The collaboration of the two iconic brands combines the creamy smoothness of Milkybar with the crispy, malt goodness of Milo powder and balls.

Melanie Chen, Head of Marketing Confectionery at Nestle, said the creamy, malty combination of these two power brands is so delicious.

“We saw huge success with the launch of KitKat Milo last year and knew that we had another iconic combination we could bring to Australians with Milkybar Milo.”

News of the launch was reportedly leaked and Chen said the anticipation from those who saw has been extremely positive.

“We can’t wait to see the reactions when they actually experience it.”

Milkybar Milo will be available from August in convenience retailers and supermarkets across Australia in two different formats – the Milkybar Milo Block, 160g at RRP $5.50, and Milkybar Milo Bar, 38g at $2.20.

Straight Up Energy launches into convenience

Aussie owned and made energy drink Straight Up Energy has launched into the category in a move that promises to bring refreshing Aussie authenticity to an industry synonymous with flashy campaigns and dominated by international brands.

Straight Up is the first brand in the energy drink sector to incorporate SENACTIV, a non-stimulant energy source which doesn’t contain caffeine and naturally helps the body to produce energy. The better-for-you drink is also sugar free and contains only six calories.

Jake Sherriff, Founder of Straight Up, said providing Australian retailers some local price and distribution certainty in this globally owned category has been a core factor of their retail conversations so far.

“Our product will appeal to those looking for a refreshing, better-for-you energy drink option, that has previously felt selfconscious about their aggressive energy drink can, and also those shoppers that have long ago written off energy drinks as a viable option. We’re here to shake up the category and attract a new type of consumer.”

Straight Up is available exclusively in BP petrol and convenience stores, available in three flavours: Green Apple, Mango and Passionfruit, and Watermelon and Pineapple at RRP $5.00.

Twisties announces surprising collaboration with Donut King

Twisties has announced its latest limited edition flavour innovation, Twisties Donut King Cinnamon Donut, available now.

The collaboration with the Australian doughnut chain, Donut King, comes off the back of another surprising launch from Twisties – its Twisties Raspberry flavour, which was voted on by fans and hit shelves last month.

Melanie Saluni, Twisties Brand Manager said Twisties Donut King Cinnamon Donut is true to its name, offering rich cinnamon spice notes with a sweet undertone, inspired by the iconic Donut King hot cinnamon doughnut.

“We wanted to shine a light on the fun that Twisties brings to the Australian chip aisle, so we thought what better way to do that than with a new flavour that is set to get heads turning.

“The new Twisties Donut King Cinnamon Donut flavour is unlike any chip you’ve tried before, and we can’t wait for the feedback as consumers get their hands on this for the first time,” she said.

Raquel Hine, Marketing Manager, Donut King, said it was an exciting surprise when Twisties came knocking with the idea for a collaboration.

“We’re always looking for innovative ways to bring new flavour experiences to sweet treat lovers and couldn’t have thought of a better combination than two iconic Australian brands coming together to create a snack that will deliver just that.”

The new Twisties Donut King Cinnamon Donut is available at Donut King, Woolworths, Coles, IGA, Ampol, bp, Coles Express (Viva) and selected independent retailers with RRP starting from $2.70 for an 80g bag.

USA Confectionery on the rise

Don’t settle for the same old regulars, try something new with a hand-picked selection of best-selling USA confectionery from Smooth Wholesales.

From the highly sought-after and addictive Takis chips to iconic Twinkies. Classics like Reece’s Pieces and the DILL-icious Pickles in a Pouch.

“There are so many amazing products in the USA that give us a new and unique opportunity to tap into the curiosity of your customers, offering products they’ve seen or heard about in TV and movies but never actually tried,” says Tal Avrahami, Managing Director of Smooth Wholesales.

“We’ve been completely blown away by the response to these products, people are literally going ‘whacky’ for Takis,” joked Avrahami.

But it’s not just the imported range that’s been popular, locally made ‘The World’s Hottest Corn Chip’ has knocked the socks off customers.

“It’s hot. It’s bloody hot!” says Avrahami. “There’s a craze for all things spicy, and these chips deliver on their promise.”

Avrahami says that the chip which comes boxed with warnings, sold out in three days with new stock already on its way.

To start ranging these exciting products, head over to www.smoothwholesales.com.au or call 1300 180 770 today.

Cadbury reveals new Cadbury Roses box

Cadbury has launched a new soft-centred only Cadbury Roses box featuring the return of some familiar favourites.

The new mix in the Cadbury Roses box was based on fan feedback and will feature the return of Strawberry Crème, Orange Crème, and Peppermint Crème, delivered in an updated packaging design.

Kathy De Lullo, Senior Marketing Manager – Gifting and Seasonal at Cadbury, said through this new mix, it is so special to be able to honour the iconic soft centres and flavours like Strawberry Crème and Peppermint Crème loved by so many Roses fans, as well as to create and deliver a new flavour

experience through soft-centred Passionfruit Delight.

“We’re so excited to be able to launch this new Cadbury Roses box – we know that the timelessness of the classic Cadbury Roses is something that is revered by all, and that everyone has a nostalgic story to tell when it comes to gifting these treats to family and friends.”

The new packaging design celebrates the iconic Cadbury Roses red rose, and in celebration of Cadbury Roses’ 75-year history, a special edition Heritage Pack will be available exclusively at Woolworths for a limited time.

The new mix of Cadbury Roses is available now from all leading retailers for RRP $18.

The Handmade Food Co.’s strategy to reducing spoilage

In the highly competitive world of convenience and impulse retailing, minimising product waste is environmentally responsible and crucial for maximising profitability. Using the right strategies, savvy leaders can optimise product turnover, improve customer satisfaction, and unlock a new level of operational efficiency.

The Handmade Food Co., creators of the Everyday Café sandwich range, explore the top strategies to proactively manage product choices and increase your bottom line.

Use ‘first-in first-out’ principles

Stocking your cabinets properly ensures older products are sold before newer ones. The first-in first-out method involves moving older items to the front as you restock. Regularly check expiration dates and organise products accordingly to prevent items from going unnoticed and expiring.

Email us for tips on how to reduce spoilage across your refrigerated display cabinets.

Position products strategically

Position high-demand items at eye level and in easily accessible locations. Use signage to draw attention to specific products, encouraging customers to make purchases and minimising the chances of products being overlooked.

Know your numbers

Cabinet spoilage rates typically range between 7 and 40 per cent. Best practice falls between 7 and 10 per cent. Lower rates lead to empty cabinets that deter consumer purchases. Higher rates lead to unsold products, spoilage, and lower profits.

Consider ‘frozen-to-chilled’ alternatives

Sandwiches are a popular grab-and-go choice but don’t stay fresh for long. Frozen-to-chilled sandwiches are a versatile alternative including wraps, toasties, Turkish, and ciabatta breads. Frozen-to-chilled sandwiches are transported and stored frozen, served fresh, and are an excellent backup product for weekends and public holidays. Products are thawed as needed (less waste) and guarantee a consistent supply of attractive and tasty products your customers will love. Toasted products can be warmed in many ways – from sandwich presses to pie warmers and hot holds.

Next steps

To learn more about frozen-to-chilled sandwiches, and how you can reduce spoilage in your business, reach out to The Handmade Food Co. Call us on 1300 722 748, or email info@thehandmadefoodco.com.au

Proper Crisps unveils two new veggie delights

Proper Crisps has expanded its range to include two new exciting additions – Sweet & Beats and Garden Medley.

As with all Proper Crisps products, the Sweets & Beets and Garden Medley crisps are crafted with the finest natural ingredients. Each batch is hand-cooked and overseen by Proper Chefs, ensuring the perfect crispness every time.

Duncan Kerr, Head Cultivator at Proper Crisps, said they believe these two new crisps may be their best yet.

“Our Veggie range is a masterclass of our That’s All! approach to what goes into our bags – our chosen veggies, high oleic sunflower oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. When the quality and care is this good, you don’t need to add anything else. We’ve grown our veggie range to cater to the evolving preferences of our loyal customers, and we’re confident that these new flavours will become instant favourites.”

The Sweet & Beets crisps is a tantalising blend of seasonal sweet potato and beetroot, with a sprinkle of salt, creating a combination that creates a harmonious balance.

Garden Medley is crafted with a vibrant blend of uniquely earthy and candy cane striped Chiogga Beetroot, sweet Carrot, the rich flavour of Parsnip, and Sweet Potato. Grown by its trusted farming partners, these root vegetables are transformed into a delicious mix by the passionate and skilled hands of Proper Crisps’ chefs.

Both crisps have achieved a coveted 3.5 health star rating and are an excellent source of fibre. These two new additions to the range align with the growing consumer demand for vegetable-led snacking options.

Proper Crisps Big Cut is now available at Woolworths Health Aisle, independents, and health food stores nationwide for RRP $7.20, 100g.

The purr-fect product for P&C

Specially prepared and packed with tender meaty pieces in a delicious and flavourful jelly, FELIX Sensations Jellies Favourites Menu will have cats purring for more.

Made with the ideal combination of Vitamins D and E, balanced minerals, and Omega 6 Fatty Acids, they are full of healthy goodness to satisfy 100 per cent of a cat’s daily needs when fed according to the feeding guidelines on the pack.

Based on shopper insights and the fact that the wet cat food segment is a fast-growing category in Australian grocery and impulse, Purina made the decision to make these products available to the petrol and convenience channel.

The company also identified a shift away from multiserve wet cat food and a significant uplift in single serve options, making FELIX Sensations Jellies Favourites Menu a perfect choice to capitalise on that change.

FELIX Sensations Jellies Favourites Menu are sold in 85g pouches with 12 per box, at RRP $14.50.

To stock FELIX Sensations Jellies Favourites Menu, contact The Distributors.

BC Snacks launches new multi-pack protein bars

BC Snacks has launched its Raspberry Truffle, Chocolate Brownie Crunch, and Dark Chocolate Almond protein bars into convenient multi-packs.

A 100 per cent Australian-made company, BC Snacks began in 2014 as The Bar Counter, and has since gone from strength to strength over the last decade.

Now the number one protein bar in Australia’s health food aisles, BC Snacks deliver delicious protein bars that bring functional nutritional benefits for athletes and all Australians leading a healthy active lifestyle. The BC Snacks range boasts an average Health Star Rating of more than four.

The release coincides with BC Snacks’ new partnership with Surfing Australia which commenced with ‘Seas the Day’, a two-day surfing competition and festival celebrating women in surfing.

The event took place at Kingscliff Beach, in the Tweed region of Northern NSW, and featured a tagteam contest open to female surfers of all abilities, along with wellness and health-focused keynote speaker sessions and workshops.

Isabella Nichols, Australian surfing icon and ambassador for BC Snacks, spoke with attendees about the importance of healthy snacking, and the crucial role of protein in supporting healthy physical activity and surf training.

BC Snacks’ new multi-packs are available at Coles and Woolworths stores across Australia for RRP $12.50.

Feed the Senses®

Naked Life expands into the bubble tea category

Naked Life, the Melbourne start-up behind Australia’s sugar-reduced revolution, has expanded into the bubble tea category targeting Australia’s youth and Asian market.

The Melburnian start-up is looking to make the trendy bubble tea category better for you with its brand new 50 per cent less sugar Naked Life Betta Boba range.

The Betta Boba range is available in four popular flavours: Original Milk, Brown Sugar, Peach, and Mango and contains tapioca and coconut pearls.

David Andrew, Founder and CEO of Naked Life, said the bubble tea category has been growing rapidly with bubble tea shops being the fastest growing QSR outlet.

“However, given the often high sugar amounts in these drinks, we saw a need to bring a format that does not only taste great, but contains 50 per cent less sugar,” he said.

Supporting this, research from a recent Grandview study states that the global bubble tea market size was estimated to be worth US$2.15 billion in 2019 and US$2.32 billion in 2020 with an expected compound annual growth rate of 8.9 per cent from 2020-2027 reaching a total of US$4.25 billion by 2027.

The latest release from Naked Life comes just after the brand launched a series of nootropic influenced hot drinking chocolates. The company’s dedication to ‘better-for-you’ products are what spurns its R&D team.

“We are dedicated to creating a healthier Australia without compromising the taste or fun of your favourite drinks,” says Andrew.

The range is available in Woolworths nationally, both in four-packs as well as individual cans. It is also available in WH Smith stores and has its sights set on the petrol and convenience channel.

Pie Society launches meat-free vegan range

Pie Society has launched its Meaty Vegan range of meat-free vegan pies, pasties, and sausage rolls, crafted using the traditions of 120-year-old Plarre’s Bakehouse in Victoria.

The new range features a delicious selection of meat-free versions of Aussie classics that are all snap-frozen after cooking and sent to the freezer aisles to provide the ultimate bakery style experience at home.

Steve Plarre, CEO of Pie Society, said the range was conceived through his own passion for good plant-based food.

“There was a need to fill the void experienced by vegans and vegetarians who wanted to interact with everyday Aussie rituals like eating pies while watching the footy, or having pastries with sauce at a party.

“It’s a delicious alternative to meat pies, that come with the added benefits associated with a reduced consumption of meat. There’s nothing humble about what we’ve created with the Meaty Vegan pies and pastries.”

With seven varieties in the Pie Society range, all made from a variety of fresh and healthy ingredients including chickpeas, mushrooms, potato, garlic, and onion, there is something for everyone.

“They are absolutely packed with flavour, and there isn’t a single animal ingredient in either the pastry or the filling. Chances are, if you didn’t tell your friends or family they were eating meat free, they wouldn’t even know.”

The range includes Meatless Classic Aussie Pie, Meatless Party Pies, Chunky Meatless Steak and Shiitake Pies, Meatless Cottage Pie, Plant-Based Sausage Rolls, and a Plant-Based Party Pack.

Pie Society’s Meaty Vegan range is available from the freezer section of Woolworths, Coles, and independent grocery stores, with prices ranging from $9.50 for a two-pack to $12.90 for the party pack.

New flavour and new markets for +hemp

An exciting new addition to +hemp’s range has arrived to coincide with its expansion into Asian markets, the +hemp Energy Dragonfruit.

Using Australian-grown ingredients, +hemp is the first brand to use hemp to build a beverage, a move which was only made possible in Australia in 2017 when the use of hemp was legalised to be used as a food ingredient.

Natalie Beaini, Founder, discovered the benefits of hemp when she began using it to treat her psoriasis. After seeing significant results, she began to include the natural ingredient in food and protein shakes, observing the nutritional benefits it brought to her busy life style.

Armed with the idea to bring a healthy alternative to the energy drink space, Beaini teamed up with a pharmaceutical lab to scientifically formulate the life changing water known as +hemp.

The brand has started its international expansion, bringing its distinct flavours and natural taste to South Korea last year and Japan in 2023, along with pipelines to enter the New Zealand and Indian market in 2024.

While hemp is an ingredient derived from the seed of certain varieties of the Cannabis sativa plant, it contains no THC, meaning it does not have psychoactive or hallucinogenic effects.

+hemp are stocked in bp and various other independent convenience retailers nationally for $4.50 per can.

Interested in expanding your food-to-go offer?

For more than 25 years, Meris Food Equipment has partnered with petrol and convenience outlets, delivering innovative equipment solutions, to expand their food-to go-offer, boost product quality and reduce wastage.

Specialising in food-to-go, Meris offers a comprehensive range of hot and refrigerated display units to suit any operation, including countertop, rear serve, freestanding, as well as wall-to-wall displays featuring matching hot and refrigerated units.

Meris offers the industry’s only hot display range powered by patented convection air technology. Made in the UK, the Flexeserve utilises convection air rather than outdated contact heat, to better preserve food quality and increase shelf life. Convection air offers a much more consistent and gentle method for keeping food at its optimum temperature. Thus, toasted sandwiches remain crisp, and muffins remain soft, preserving the food’s true texture and taste. Another major benefit of the Flexeserve is the zone heating control. Each shelf can be conveniently set to different temperatures. This allows operators to offer a wider variety of foods at their optimal temperature. Shelves can also be switched off independently when needed, reducing energy costs.

More than an equipment supplier, the Meris range is backed by a reliable service network, and wide range of consultation services, including menu development, packaging and merchandising, process and staff training, an in-house chef and test kitchen.

Ready to expand your food-to-go offer? Contact us today on 1800 265 771 and visit www.meris.com.au

M&M’s new cake and coffee based flavour

Mars Wrigley has launched a new M&M’s flavour, Mocha Mudcake, which was created at its new Ballarat Innovation Hub.

The new treat features a mocha mudcake flavoured centre, covered in milk chocolate and housed in M&M’s iconic crisp shell.

Ben Hill, Marketing Director at Mars Wrigley’s, said consumers are increasingly looking for innovation beyond just flavour, with texture becoming an increasing focal point to enhance the eating experience.

“As a company, we’ve been investing into the growth and development of our Bitesize portfolio over the last few years, focusing on consumer-led innovation, and we’re now at a really exciting stage as we’re starting to see the products land on shelves across the country.”

Mars Wrigley recently announced a $28.8 million investment into its Ballarat operations to bolster local innovation and manufacturing capabilities.

The new Mocha Mudcake flavour is said to tap into Australia’s love for indulgence by combining our affection for coffee, chocolate, and cake into one bitesize treat.

M&M’s Mocha Mudcake is available nationwide for RRP $5.50.

Chipoys tortilla chips touch down in Australia and New Zealand

Chipoys, a popular authentic rolled tortilla chip brand in the US, has announced its expansion into Australia and New Zealand.

The snack was originally launched in the US in 2021 and has since expanded into Europe. The arrival in Australia and New Zealand marks the next phase of its international growth.

La Fiesta Confectionary will serve as the exclusive master distributor for Chipoys in ANZ, with Aztec Mexican Products distributing the product.

In the standard 56.7 and 113.4-gram bags, the snack has 140-160 calories, two grams of protein, with no transfat or cholesterol.

Chipoys is also free from artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives, already meeting the higher regulations needed regarding dyes and colouring in Australia and New Zealand.

Erick Kozin, Co-Founder of Chipoys, said it’s been exciting to take the brand global.

“After a successful launch in the United States and Europe, it is a priority to establish our brand as a worldwide household name and goto snack for consumers around the world. We look forward to continuing our expansion and growing the popularity while offering customers more product options.”

Chipoys comes in four flavours including Original, Spicy Ranch, Chile Limon, and Fire Red Hot, with new flavours currently in development that are set to continue to challenge the snack industry.

Chipoys will be targeting the petrol and convenience channel in Australia and retailers are urged to contact sales@lafiesta.com.au for more information.

Via Drinks launches new non-alcoholic range

Via Drinks has entered the non-alcoholic beverage market with a new range of all-natural, functional non-alcoholic, cocktail-inspired beverages.

The range, which is GMO-free, vegan, and gluten-free, has already won medals at the World Alcohol-Free Awards and includes Sparkling Seventy-Five, Sparkling Margarita, Sparkling Aperitif, and Sparkling Brut.

Sarah Morley and Kiersten Mason, Co-Founders of Via Drinks, said the beverages are meticulously crafted to combine the layered and sophisticated taste profiles of classic cocktails, inspired by nature.

“What sets Via Drinks apart is the incorporation of Viagenics™ adaptogens into our beverages. These natural compounds -

including Schisandra, L-Theanine, Guayusa, and Wattle Flower – are carefully selected for their beneficial properties and work to elevate the mood and stimulate the senses.

“With the support of experts, industry professionals and skilled production partners, we’ve created a range we’re incredibly proud of which truly elevates the drinking experience. Many hours were spent researching and testing innovative potent plant extracts to create each formulation.”

The range is currently available in a 250ml can format with an RRP of $5.50 per can, four-pack at $22.00, or 12-pack at $60.00, with bottle formats available in the coming months.  Via Drinks is available through WH Smiths stores and the Via Drinks website.

It’s tough for retailers in the current environment

IT SHOULD COME as no surprise to anyone that the current economic environment in Australia is under immense pressure from all angles. For retailers, the cost of doing business is greater than ever.

Insurances up, energy costs up, increased labour costs, cost of goods you are purchasing have risen sharply with continued pressure for further increases to come, illicit markets continue to rob sales from the tobacco category, IT costs are up, the threat of cyber threats and scams continues to grow, new Industrial Relations Laws have the potential to cause future issues, the list just goes on.

This has seen consumer prices increase quickly, resulting in consumer sentiment and spending decreasing, resulting in a very challenging sales environment. For consumers, the cost-ofliving increases has resulted in the majority of Australians being forced to make different choices in their spending behaviour to ensure that they can meet all their commitments.

For Australians with a mortgage on a fixed rate, life might be being managed in the same way and others might be accounting for increased mortgage costs once they come off that arrangement in the next 6-9 months. For mortgage holders already feeling the brunt of 12 rate increases, these consumers have been forced to make changes to their lifestyles or are depleting their savings accounts.

In this environment, consumers are looking for value driven offers to save whatever they can whenever they can at every opportunity. In speaking to retailers regularly like I do, it has become apparent that the game plan needs to change to deliver on their customer expectations. This doesn’t mean they are reinventing the wheel; it just means that they are thinking differently.

The good retailers are focusing their energy within the growth categories of food for now, food for later, beverages, snacking, and confectionery.

At the same time, operational excellence is a major focus across the board. Staff training to deliver the best customer experience has become an increased focus again, and this is playing a role of personal development to protect their existing staff from wanting to look for outside development areas with other companies.

Loyalty programs continue to be developed at a fast rate, aimed at achieving a personal relationship with their customers, allowing personalised promotional offers, targeted product suggestions, and exclusive product offers. Retailers’ promotional programs are being designed to offer value meals for breakfast and lunch, linking together key categories to better compete with other retailers that are all fighting for consumer spend.

The quick service restaurant (QSR) industry is playing the value game very well now. We are seeing serious value driven offers and menus launched all with the aim of convincing the customer to shop with them. Twenty nuggets for $10, under $10 meal deals, $3 tacos, $3 burgers to name a few.

Convenience retailers are also getting involved with $2 pie days, $5 sandwich days, free coffee with fuel deals, fifth or sixth coffee free, as well as multipack beverage packs with everyday pricing, to be competitive with the major supermarkets. New and exciting products are also continuing to play a role in surprising and delighting the customer.

I urge all retailers to think about their customers, look at their surrounding competitive set, understand what the consumers are gravitating to, and then think about how you too can make changes to your in-store offering – be it range extensions or deletions, promotional offers, or meal deals.

Standing still won’t drive a different result, as the market moves you need to move with it to remain relevant and meet your customers’ expectations during these challenging times. ■

“Standing still won’t drive a different result, as the market moves you need to move with it to remain relevant and meet your customers’ expectations during these challenging times.”

– Theo Foukkare

Words Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS

As retailers face increasing pressure from all angles, the importance of remaining agile is as relevant now as it ever was.

Maximise your potential and WIN with customers!

Training: Fundamentals of Negotiation

This programme works through the negotiation framework and process required to successfully negotiate with your customers. During the learning workshop delegates will prepare for an upcoming customer negotiation. They will learn and practice the critical pre-negotiation preparation process, the customer negotiation itself and plan for the implementation of the agreed outcomes and execution of activities to deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.

Programme Details:

When: 08.45am – 5:00pm 18th & 19th September 2023

Book Now

Training: Customer Planning and Management

Learn to successfully manage customers and develop comprehensive, mutually beneficial customer plans during this two-day programme. During the learning workshop delegates will develop a customer plan in consideration of customer objectives by; evaluating market data, identifying and prioritising risks and opportunities and formulating KPI’s and performance targets to ultimately deliver their customer plans in line with businesses objectives.

Programme Details:

When:

Book Now

Maintain mental wellness

Words Darren Park, CEO, United Convenience Buyers

IT’S THAT TIME of year again. The sun is setting early. The weather is getting colder and colder. Winter months can take a toll on our physical and mental wellbeing. We might be feeling more irritable, have low energy, or even struggle to do day to day routines.

Again as an industry, we’ve shown resilience and we are making the best of another extremely challenging year, dealing with rising prices, cost of utilities, interest rates, price margins, profitability, and cashflow.

With our lives moving fast to adapt to so many changes, I encourage you to check in on the mental health of yourself, family and friends.

Mental health can affect how we think, feel and act. It can also affect our everyday life, such as work and relationships. Looking after our social and emotional wellbeing is as important as keeping our body healthy. When we’re feeling emotionally healthy we can be fully present with our family, friends and the communities we work and play in.

Thank goodness that mental wellness is becoming better understood and acknowledged in society. Over the years, there has been a significant shift in attitudes surrounding mental health, leading to increased awareness, discussions, and efforts to address mental wellness.

We’ve all heard or read about those who share their stories, helping to take the stigma out of mental health issues and create a sense of empathy and understanding, encouraging individuals to seek help when needed. Many can find it hard still to talk about mental wellness. Maybe your family and friends feel uncomfortable talking about it. Maybe you don’t know where to start or how it relates to you.

Remember, it’s okay to not be okay sometimes. We all face ups and downs, and it’s important to acknowledge our emotions and seek support when needed. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety, reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional can make a significant difference. They can provide a listening ear, offer guidance, and help you navigate any challenges you may be facing.

If you ever need someone to talk to or if you simply want to catch up, I’m just a call or text away. Your mental wellness matters, and I care about your happiness and well-being. Or you can make contact with Beyond Blue’s free and confidential Support Service, open 24/7 for everyone in Australia. You can reach Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.

Until next time, Darren Park

“We all face ups and downs, and it's important to acknowledge our emotions and seek support when needed. If you're feeling overwhelmed or experiencing persistent feelings of sadness or anxiety, reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, or mental health professional can make a significant difference.”

- Darren Park

The importance of checking in on the mental health of yourself and your family and friends.

ILLICIT TOBACCO

IS HARMING RETAILERS

1 IN 4 PACKET sold in Australia is Illegal

The Albanese Labor Government has set its sights on retailers and has committed to raising the price of cigarettes every year for at least the next 3 years.

This will further entrench a black market operated by criminals, who don’t care who they sell to and use the funds they make to facilitate further criminal activity, just like what has happened with vaping products.

Retailers who have always played by the rules will be impacted while criminal black-market dealers will continue to benefit due to the government’s lack of enforcement against illicit tobacco sales.

This only costs the Australian economy, impacts responsible retailers and ensures profits go into the hands of criminals to conduct more criminal activity.

JOIN THE FIGHT TO HELP SAVE AUSTRALIAN RETAILERS

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION BY SHEENA POLESE, LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT COACH WE ARE PLEASED TO NNOUNCE OUR FIRST WOMEN IN CONVENIENCE EVENT FOR 2023. WE WILL BE JOINED BY GUEST SPEAKE SHEENA POLESE, AN EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP & DEVELOPMENT COACH. SHEENA WILL SHARE HER NOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE WITH THE GROUP ON HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF EVERYONE, FOLLOWED BY UESTION & ANSWER SESSION. WEDNESDAY 19TH JULY 3-5.30PM | SYDNEY TIME & VENUE CONFIRMED UPO REGISTRATION

Tell your MP that the Government’s latest price rise on cigarettes doesn’t help anybody other than illegal dealers and black market operators.

S C A N H E R E

https://aacs.org.au/illicit-tobacco/

Rethinking value for Customers

EARLIER THIS YEAR Customology produced

The Unspoken Customer which is a piece of research that surveyed 2500 Australian consumers to find out what they think about brands, their loyalty to them and their gripes with them.

Not surprisingly, our research found customers were strongly influenced by economic uncertainty with 90 per cent reporting they were more conscious of spending decisions in the current climate. With customers becoming more price sensitive it’s tempting for brands to respond with discounts and other price signals. However, this can quickly become a race to the bottom that some brands won’t survive.

Most brands would rather talk about value than price. Elevating the conversation with customers in this way opens the door to brand differentiation and premium pricing. But what does value really mean from a customer’s perspective? We developed a Customer Value Matrix that brings together six important drivers of perceived value that brands should consider. Three of which I explain below.

Experiential Value

Experiential value is defined by delight and convenience. During the experience of purchase and usage of your product or service did you delight your customer and was the experience convenient? Many brands play in the convenience space, but you can emphasise convenience by focusing marketing on elements that also delight your customers. A standout example of experiential value led branding the Domino’s Pizza delivery drone which is a fun and very out there campaign that emphasized their commitment to convenience while being undeniably delightful (even if it was a bit of a publicity stunt).

Functional Value

The traditional functional view of value of a product or service can be defined as the price over the quality. This is well understood by consumers, the higher the price of a product the higher the perceived quality and therefore the lower the price, the lower the perceived quality. High quality and low price is hard to sell to a lot of consumers. We recommend that brands think beyond the functional definition of value in their branding and marketing.

Social Value

Social value is defined by impact and belonging. Consumers are savvy and will consider what impact their purchases have on the environment or the local community. Our research found 82 per cent of customers thought it was important for brands to give back to the community and more than 50 per cent said it would directly influence how loyal they were to a brand.

Social belonging is whether your brand or product gives your customers a sense of belonging within a community that is bigger than the product itself. Red Bull has done an excellent job of supporting and building a community of extreme athletes. This branding sets them apart from other energy drink brands who don’t create that sense of social belonging.

Brands can use the value equation to highlight key values of their products and services in campaigns that appeal to different segments of the population. If you’d like to read the full report head to www.customology.com.au/ the-unspoken-customer the QR code. ■

Understanding how a customer perceives value is critical for a brand to appropriately engage their desired audience.

Words Bonnie McCoy, General Manager, Customology

“With customers becoming more price sensitive it’s tempting for brands to respond with discounts and other price signals. However, this can quickly become a race to the bottom that some brands won’t survive.”

– Bonnie McCoy

Bonnie McCoy will be speaking at the C&I Expo on 19-20 October

Hologram technology

Embracing hologram technology to transform the retail experience in convenience stores and petrol stations

THE CONVENIENCE STORE and petrol station industry has been facing significant challenges in recent years, including declining customer counts and reduced foot traffic. To overcome these obstacles and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market, businesses must embrace technological advancements that enhance the customer experience. That’s where ARHT, a leading provider of hologram technology, comes in. Our latest groundbreaking product, the ARHT CAPSULE, has the potential to revolutionize customer engagement and offer a unique and immersive way to connect with customers through interactive holograms.

Captivating Visual Displays

One of the most promising applications of holograms in the convenience store and petrol station industry is creating engaging visual displays. With holograms, static product showcases can be transformed into mesmerizing visual experiences. Businesses now have the possibility to showcase their products in a dynamic and interactive manner, highlighting promotional offers, new product launches, and fuel rewards programs. These eye-catching displays capture customers’ attention, encourage exploration, and increase the likelihood of making a purchase.

Enhancing The Shopping Experience

The impact of hologram technology goes far beyond visual displays. Another exciting application of hologram technology is in providing virtual assistance and guiding customers through their shopping experience. Holograms can enhance customer satisfaction by providing instant support, reducing wait times, and ensuring a seamless shopping experience. With ARHT’s capability to beam live holograms of people to remote locations, customers could interact with virtual assistants who can provide product recommendations, answer questions, and guide them to the right products or services they need.

Efficient Store Navigation

Navigating large petrol stations and convenience stores can often be a headache, leading to frustration among customers. Here’s where holograms can come to the rescue. Interactive holographic wayfinding displays can assist customers in finding their desired products or sections within the store. By simply following the guidance of these holograms, customers can save time and have a more convenient and satisfying experience.

Collaborating With Virtual Brand Ambassadors

In addition, holograms open up thrilling possibilities for leveraging virtual brand ambassadors and influencers. By collaborating with celebrities, popular personalities, or industry experts, businesses can create holographic endorsements or informative content. Virtual brand ambassadors projected as holograms can interact with customers, share product recommendations, and create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression.

In addition to enhancing customer experiences, holograms are able to entertain and engage customers. A great example of this would be a holographic concert, comedy act, or informative presentation, while taking a break from a long drive. Holographic advertising and signage can also be utilized both inside the store and at fuelling stations to deliver targeted messages and promotions to customers.

The convenience store and petrol station industry is at a pivotal moment, and embracing the hologram revolution can be the key to success. By incorporating hologram technology into their strategy, businesses can transform the customer experience, captivate their audience, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive landscape. It’s time to elevate the way we engage with customers – the hologram way. ■

Words Gorana Seeley, Vice President, Global Retail at ARHT

“Virtual brand ambassadors projected as holograms can interact with customers, share product recommendations, and create memorable experiences that leave a lasting impression.”

- Gorana Seeley, Vice President, Global Retail, ARHT

AACS International Study Tour heads to Europe

THE AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATION of Convenience Stores (AACS) held its 2023 International Study Tour from 28th May through to 6th June this year.

The tour, which was hosted by Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, and supported by 37 Australian retailer and supplier members, visited Dublin (Ireland), Oslo (Norway), and London (United Kingdom), in search of the latest trends and insights from leading markets in Europe.

The AACS International Study Tour is a carefully curated event designed to showcase the latest in store design, retail formats, food concepts, technology, and loyalty. AACS was fortunate to be hosted by leading retailers with key senior executives from various companies, meeting us onsite to share insights into their offer and answer any questions to assist in providing context.

The tour kicked off in Dublin, Ireland, a market known globally for its excellence in foodservice and small-box retail offers supported by operational excellence in supply chain. The group was hosted by Thomas Ennis, a leading SPAR retailer, who has developed arguably one of the leading foodservice offers in convenience retail.

Ennis shared his journey from a single store to becoming a leading multi-site operator in Dublin. Some of Ennis’ key messages were to listen to

your customer, talk to them and understand their needs, then ensure you can deliver it consistently every day. Ennis isn’t afraid to try new concepts or ideas with his motto of ‘fail fast and move on’, which means to try new ideas as quickly as you have them, and if they succeed, tailor it to each store based on the local community.

In Dublin, the group visited a combination of motorway service centres, local suburban small format grocery stores, convenience, and grocery stores – a total of 17 different store formats over two days, including Circle K, Applegreen, Shell, Maxol, Avoca, and Donnybrook Fair to name a few.

Key learnings which were evident across the market is that foodservice is at the heart of the retail offer, delivered through either delicatessen-style food, made fresh on site daily, or with a leading quick service restaurant brand incorporated into their offer.

Store aesthetics and design of store format in Dublin is focused on creating a warm ambience in materials and beautiful aroma of food, where the offer is easily navigated depending on the customers’ needs. Given that Dublin isn’t a huge city, a daily fresh supply chain allows the retailers to easily offer café style meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The AACS 2023 International Study Tour saw retailers and supplier members travel to Europe to seek out the latest trends and insights from some of the continent’s leading markets.

Words Theo Foukkare

The group then joined the NACS Convenience Summit Europe for two days of insights and thought leadership, along with 200 other leaders from across Europe. Henry Armour, NACS CEO and President, shared the strategic challenges facing the industry across Europe and the globe, reinforcing that convenience retail around the world is faced with similar strategic issues, however different markets were at various stages of the life cycle.

Presentations across the two days were heard from Florian Naegele at McKinsey on How to Play the EV Game, Regan Leggett at Nielsen (NIQ) on The Changing Consumer and Their Needs, The Future of Work by Oliver Wyman, Paul Martin from KPMG spoke about Inflations Strategies and Tactics, The Future of Payments and The Future of Nicotine.

Retailer case studies were also showcased by Jose Barreiro, CEO of Repsol, who spoke about multienergy transition, digitalisation, and customer centricity. Carlos Arenas, CEO of OXXO, offered a truly inspiring case study.

Arenas’ key messages were to build an organisation powered by culture but built by engineers. With their mission in simplifying life to create human and economic value, creating a store factory which has seen OXXO open one and a half stores a day for 45 years, including three per day for the last 15 years. Arenas spoke of adding layers to the value proposition, building his culture based on values, attitudes, and trust, and to then build capabilities.

Overall, a successful two days of insights from Europe with excellent networking and information to take back home to their businesses.

The group moved onto Oslo, Norway, the most developed electric vehicle market in the world, to get a first-hand look at how convenience retailers are adapting their forecourt and store offers to remain relevant, profitable, and at the leading edge of the transition to cleaner energy for mobility.

The group was expecting to see EV cars everywhere. However, the biggest surprise was that after 12 years of adoption, only two out of every 10 cars on the road were an electric vehicle. In terms of new car sales, eight out of 10 cars being purchased are electric, where the adoption has been accelerated by enormous government investment in rebate incentives, free parking, reduced registration fees, fuel efficiency standards, and a government mandate to have all new cars electric by 2025.

There is no doubt that the transition to EVs is very advanced, however the key learning was that the transition of the entire carpark (all passengers vehicles in Norway) still has a long time to take effect.

Almost every forecourt now has electric charging available, however traditional fuels still dominate in terms of numbers of fuelling/ charging. In Norway, approximately 75 per cent of all charging is completed at home or at work, with the remaining 25 per cent undertaken on the go – which is where traditional fuel retailers and other retail offers are fighting for the EV charger to frequent their stores.

The on-the-go charging market is now focused solely on fast or rapid DC charging, ranging from 150kw to 350kw charging equipment, which can deliver 80 per cent charge in approximately 20 minutes.

Another interesting fact is that the price of electricity traditionally has not been advertised like fuel has been, it is only available to compare online or within an app. Uno-X, owned by the Reitan Group and master franchisee for 7-Eleven, were the first, and only very recently, to advertise the price of electricity on the main price board. It will be interesting to see if the market follows this move.

The group visited 16 stores across brands including 7-Eleven, Deli De Luca, Shell, Circle K, Uno-X, Narvesan, Reima, and COOP – a broad cross section of convenience, grocery, and small format convenience. →

“The AACS International Study Tour is a carefully curated event designed to showcase the latest in store design, retail formats, food concepts, technology, and loyalty.”

Gridserve, Braintree, UK

Junction 14 Travel Centre, Dublin

Insomnia Coffee, Dublin Spar, Dublin

The focus of all retailers in Norway has quickly moved to providing seating, great food offers, Wi-Fi, and a place to be comfortable while they now have to spend approximately 20 minutes on site. The integration of food into store formats is now front and centre for all retailers, where in most cases foodservice contribution to shop sales is at 50 per cent on average and growing. Convenience retailers have integrated the food offering into their format, so it is a blend of a quick service restaurant and convenience store, but the priority is food, supported by traditional essentials.

The group then moved onto London, visiting 20 stores across leading brands including Shell, Amazon Fresh, Waitrose, Pret a Manger, M&S Food, Sainsbury, and Tesco. Convenience and grocery retailing was very well developed many years ago, but it was great to see some of the latest offers, new technologies, and to see how EV charging is progressing in the UK. Whilst the standard of stores was very good, the group felt that there were more learnings in Dublin and Norway than in London.

Pret A Manger was one of the standout offers, with great in store execution of their food offer, great coffee options and speed of service. We visited the Shell Fulham store; the first EV only offer by Shell globally. Well executed and with a nice retail offer, but clearly a store developed by Shell to test and learn from as they continue to rollout their charging network globally.

Another highlight was the visit to Gridserve at Braintree, a store with over 50 charging points at various charging speeds, on-site battery storage to feed the operation and sell back to the grid, test drive options for the Polestar brand, lease

options for EV drivers to purchase various models, micro-meeting pods that can be hired on a short term or full day basis, combined with a convenience offer including food, coffee, alcohol, pharmacy, and a WH Smith offer.

The Gridserve store is currently being used 130 times per day for charging, but interestingly it is being visited by over 500 shop-only customers per day. The group also visited the latest version of Amazon Fresh at Monument, running with their Just Walk Out payment technology. The latest version of Just Walk Out includes all the learnings from previous executions, now with a wide store access point, ability to tap your card to enter vs needing to be an Amazon Prime member. It worked really well, even with fresh food, bakery, and alcohol, as well as traditional goods.

To close out the study tour, Red Bull hosted the retailers in Salzburg Austria at their Global Head Office. The group heard from Red Bull global leaders in a workshop on the future of energy drinks, best practice execution, and consumer insights into the broader beverage category. The visit to the home of Red Bull was truly inspiring to see where it all started from, including the original office building that stands on the property, and is still used today.

AACS wants to thank all retail and supplier members that participated in the very successful 2023 International Study Tour, along with all retailers that supported the group with their time, hospitality, and knowledge transfer across the 10 days of the study tour.

Expressions of interest for the AACS 2024 study tour to Barcelona and Switzerland will open in September. ■

“Pret A Manger was one of the standout offers, with great in store execution of their food offer, great coffee options and speed of service.”

Applegreen, Dublin

Circle K, Norway

An Irish pastry selection

Donnybrook Fair, Dublin

The Distributors Brisbane celebrates 20 years

From its humble beginnings, The Distributors Brisbane has risen to become one of the largest Distributor members in the country.

SINCE ITS INCEPTION in August 2003, The Distributors Brisbane has grown to become the second largest Distributor member in Australia. Operating from three adjoining warehouses based at Larapinta, it is partnered with over 270 suppliers, sells over 5000 products, employs over 100 staff, and has 27 delivery vehicles.

Tony McIntosh, Managing Director of The Distributors Brisbane, said the continual growth and success of The Distributors Brisbane is a testament to the fantastic and talented staff who have been employed and served the business over the past 20 years.

“Great people make great businesses and great things are never done by one individual, but a team of people. We have been very fortunate to have many dedicated, loyal, and committed employees who share our company ethos and morals. We have always prided ourselves on the personalised service we offer our customers, and this philosophy has not changed for the past 20 years.”

McIntosh started his career in the FMCG industry at Mondelēz, known as Cadbury Confectionery at the time, where he worked for 10 years before moving to Amalgamated Confectionery as their Sales and Marketing Manager.

“I worked in the business for over four years, implemented numerous sales growth strategies, doubled its turnover and then the business was bought by Metcash. I had no desire to work for another large corporate organisation, so I began discussions with Stewart Robertson, from The Distributors Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay, and Louis Filipetto, from The Distributors Toowoomba, with the vision to create a new Distributor member in Brisbane.”

Starting up the business in the spare bedroom of his house, McIntosh employed three sales reps in Brisbane, with two of those leaving after just three weeks.

With a diminished team, McIntosh began presenting the newly establish company to a variety of retailers and suppliers, selling the merits and benefits of dealing with a family owned and operated business in Brisbane.

“Initially, orders were taken by our representatives in Brisbane and sent to either the Sunshine Coast or Toowoomba and delivered to customers the following day. The initial 12 months was challenging on all of us, but we somehow successfully navigated our way through the complexities and within 18 months we established our first self-sufficient 1200m2 warehouse in Acacia Ridge.”

Fast forward to now and The Distributors Brisbane has just completed the impressive feat of picking up its second consecutive The Distributor of the Year Award.

“It was an award I challenged our team to win. We knew what was required to win, we planned and prepared to win, and our team’s efforts were rewarded. I truly believe I have the best team in the industry, and we will continue to strive for improvement and excellence. The winning prize money from this award, was shared evenly amongst every employee within our business.”

To celebrate 20 years of business, McIntosh has planned a fun day and race throughout Brisbane with all the employees featuring giveaways, merchandise, and prizes for the day.

“Twenty years is a long time to manage and operate a business, successfully. I am a person that has exceptionally high standards, enjoys challenges and I endeavour to challenge myself regularly to keep my mind and body active and motivated. I still believe I add value and leadership to my business, and I enjoy the positive and enjoyable working culture I have created among my employees.” ■

“Great people make great businesses and great things are never done by one individual, but a team of people.”

- Tony McIntosh, Managing Director, The Distributors Brisbane

Tony McIntosh and Jan McIntosh

Leah Brantzaeg-sand, Warehouse Picker

Tony McIntosh with wife Nicole McIntosh and fur baby Winston McIntosh

Lyle Baker, Purchasing Manager, and Tony McIntosh, MD

UPDATES

A recordbreaking trade show

ACCREDITED

DISTRIBUTORS’

ANNUAL Trade Show came alive at Marvel Stadium on 5 July, with the largest ever attendance and a record-breaking number of sales.

Eighty suppliers lined the hall, showcasing new and classic products, while 1500 retailers took advantage of the ‘deep cut pricing’ on the day, showcasing Accredited Distributors’ commitment to their retailers.

Craig Bain, Managing Director of Accredited Distributors, said the 2023 Trade Show was the most successful they have ever run, in terms of both customers through the door and sales generated.

“Our highlights for the day were the fantastic displays set up by all suppliers. The vibe and atmosphere were electric all throughout the day, with many prizes given away on certain stands.”

Product samples, food, and refreshments were plentiful, with suppliers and retailers in agreement that it was a hugely successful day.

Aside from the amazing offers available for retailers, there was plenty of interactive activities to take part in, from mini soccer goals to a boxing machine to an arcade racing game, there was something for everyone.

After a hard day of nabbing bargains and making sales, 500 guests attended the Show Time Event Centre for a cocktail party, sponsored by Smith’s, Mondelēz, and Red Bull.

Stuart Hobbs and Craig Bain, Company Directors, then presented awards and thanked all suppliers for their continued support.

“The award winners were voted by all of the Accredited Distributors Branch Managers and sales teams and that is why these are such special awards to win,” said Bain.

Such a great event can’t be put on without the help of an entire team, which Bain eagerly recognises.

“This event can’t happen on its own, and a lot of people contributed to its success, but a special thankyou to all suppliers and retailers that attended. As well as Lynette Kennett who coordinated the show, Mike Keenan and Sue Adams, Kumar Konduru, and Mark Williams along with the national support office. And finally, big thank you to all the Accredited Distributors team that contributed to the success of the event.”

It was also announced that Frank Byrne, Bendigo Branch Manager, was leaving the company after 18 years to pursue a new career, and Accredited Distributors wished him all the best in his future endeavours. ■

Accredited Distributor’s Trade Show set Marvel Stadium alight with unparalleled sales and impressive attendance.

1500 retailers took advantage of plenty of deals

Smith’s Snackfoods team

Winners of the 2023 Accredited Distributors Awards

Supplier Rep of the Year, Albury: Megan Vandermeer, Suntory Frucor

Supplier Rep of the Year, Bendigo: Scott Delves, Smith’s Snackfoods Co.

Supplier Rep of the Year, Dandenong: Mia Stillitano, Red Bull

Supplier Rep of the Year, Geelong: Ben McKenzie, Mondelēz, and Deb McKay, Smith’s Snackfoods Co.

Supplier of the Year Under $2 Million: AIT

Supplier of the Year $2 - $6 Million: Snackbrands

Supplier of the Year Over $6 Million: Universal Candy

Hall of Fame Inductees

Level Beverages

JCSM

Terry Booth Award 2023

For outstanding service to the company: Amy Tan

Best Gold/Silver Stand

Smith’s Snackfoods Co and Suntory Frucor

Best Bronze Stand

Darrell Lea

“The award winners were voted by all of the Accredited Distributor Branch Managers and sales teams and that is why these are such special awards to win.”

– Craig Bain, Managing Director, Accredited Distributors

Universal Candy winning Supplier of the Year

L-R: Ben Mckenzie, Supplier Rep of the Year, Geelong, and Steve Hare, Branch Manager of Accredited Distributors Geelong

The Frucor Suntory stand

Nestlé team

Bounce Foods

Red Bull

The Trumps team

Snackbrands Australia

EG Group shares the secrets behind its rebranding strategy

FOLLOWING EG GROUP’S rebrand of its sites to EG Ampol, C&I caught up with Leo Pucar, Commercial Director of EG Australia, to discuss the process.

The rebrand was completed in May, with just under 530 sites rebranding from Woolworths to EG for the ‘store’ brand and from Caltex to Ampol for the ‘fuel’ brand.

“The ‘Woolworths to EG’ store rebranding program commenced in late 2019 and was completed in May 2023. During this period, Ampol also announced that they would rebrand from Caltex to Ampol. This rebranding work, which was carried out by Ampol, commenced in July 2022 and was completed in December 2022,” said Pucar.

As Australia is the only country globally for EG Group where the brand is consumer facing, Pucar explained that this presented a fresh hurdle.

“This came with the challenge of re-designing the corporate logo while ensuring we retained the look and feel of the EG corporate brand. As a result, we removed the word Group, replacing it with a

blue underline. This new, contemporary look has been well received by our customers and our brand partners.”

Pucar said that the rebrand has been a great opportunity to revitalise the appearance and ambience of every EG Australia site, regardless of its size or location.

“Although it is early days, we have received positive feedback from customers on the new look and feel of our sites. We have also seen an increase in traffic on our digital platforms including our EG Club App.”

Running in parallel to the ‘Rebrand’ program, a ‘Store Refresh’ program was rolled out to 220 stores.  This program introduced a new machine coffee and fresh food offer and a modernising of the facilities.

The decision to rebrand was the driven by the purchase of the Woolworths Petrol business by EG Group in April 2019, which required all sites be debranded from Woolworths. Despite the debrand, EG have an ongoing relationship with Woolworths, with the Woolworths Everyday Rewards brand continuing to be represented along with the EG brand.

7-Eleven continues regional growth with opening of Dalyellup store

7-ELEVEN HAS continued its investment into regional Western Australia, with the opening of 7-Eleven Dalyellup.

7-Eleven Dalyellup is the fourth store to open in the Bunbury area, and the fifth store in the South West.

Nick Maddox, 7-Eleven Area Lead South, said the company’s growth in the state provides career opportunities as well as jobs when the stores are built and fitted out.

“Our team in Western Australia now includes approximately 600 people, with quite a number of the team growing in their careers with us through development and internal promotions. Our team in the South West is approximately 50 people.

“We are incredibly proud of our multi-million dollar investment in Western Australia which will see us continue to

look for new opportunities with landlords and developers to open stores in the right locations to serve local communities.”

Since 2014, when the store launched its first store in Western Australia, the company has invested over $55 million into the state and has no signs of slowing down as the brand looks to develop its network to meet consumer needs in the years ahead.

Jocelin Lawson, who started the team at Busselton, is moving across to Dalyellup to lead the team of 10.

“Our new Dalyellup store will be open 24/7 with daily deliveries so our customers can enjoy our sandwiches and Krispy Kreme Doughnuts delivered daily. We’ll have hot pastries, snacks and treats, as well as our freshly ground Fairtrade Certified coffee, Slurpee including Slurpee No Sugar and the 7-Eleven Smoothies and Frappés.”

Just under 530 stores rebranded

Jocelin Lawson will lead the team at Dalyellup

Because What’s Inside Matters!

Corrosion-Proof Fibreglass Underground Storage Tanks

Ü Envirotank double-wall tanks are fully compatible with all modern fuel types including alcohol blends and low sulphur diesel.

Ü Double-Walled Envirotanks fully comply with the secondary containment requirements of AS 4897. This is in addition to the design meeting AS 1940 and UL 1316.

Ü Two (2) 100% corrosion proof and structural walls provide the ultimate in leak protection.

Ü The Hydroguard® System is a proven hydrostatic testing system that continuously monitors the integrity of the inner and outer tank walls in all installed conditions.

The Clereflo™ Range of Oil Water Separators by Envirotank

Ü Clereflo™ forecourt and full retention separators.

Ü Third-party peer reviewed and certified by UniSA as exceeding BSEN-858 compliance.

Ü Suitable for use in all Australian conditions.

Viva Energy secures ADF Fuel Supply Contract

VIVA ENERGY HAS secured a contract with the Department of Defence to supply fuel to the Australian Defence Force for an initial six-year term.

The contract, which may be extended to 12 years, will see Viva supply aviation, marine, and ground fuel to the ADF and play a critical role in underpinning Australia’s national security through supply of fuel both locally and internationally.

Scott Wyatt, CEO and MD of Viva Energy, said this is a significant contract for both its refining as well as its Commercial and Industrial businesses.

“We are delighted to extend our strategic relationship with the Commonwealth and look forward to supporting the ADF’s Australian and international fuel requirements as a key enabler of their capability.”

In an important Australian Industry Capability activity, Viva will resume production at Geelong Refinery of F-44 (Avcat) or

JP-5, a military specification turbine fuel used on aircraft carriers, which is currently manufactured and imported from overseas.

“The resumption of local manufacturing of F-44 (Avcat) at the Geelong Refinery is a highlight, reinforcing our commitment to the nation’s energy security. This builds on our project to construct 90 million litres of diesel storage tanks on the site, due for completion in 2024.”

Hon Pat Conroy MP, Minister for Defence Industry, said coming after years of declining local oil refining and fuel production, this deal will be good for Australia’s defence, good for Australia’s energy security, and good for Australian jobs.

“We are really pleased about the difference this will make in the regional centre of Geelong in Victoria. The Government is working hard to build a resilient fuel supply for Defence and to strengthen Australia’s national security – and this domestic fuel supply contract will contribute to this.”

WA green energy hub strikes deal with Korean power giant

WESTERN GREEN ENERGY Hub (WGEH) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s largest electric utility, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO).

The MoU is a significant step towards the development of one of Australia’s largest proposed green hydrogen hubs, which will be located in WA’s Goldfields-Esperance region on Mirning Country and when complete would generate 3.5 million tonnes of zero-carbon green hydrogen per year.

Ray Macdonald, Chief Executive Officer of WGEH, said he looks forward to its collaboration to develop the WGEH project, as well as being a long-term supply partner to South Korea and other international markets.

“Projects like WGEH are large and complex and bringing in KEPCO, a proven partner and developer of largescale infrastructure projects, is invaluable.”

The construction of the hub, which will cover 15,000 square kilometres and require around 3,000 wind turbines and 25 million solar panel modules, is expected to span around 20 years and create thousands of jobs.

Bill Johnston, Minister for the Hydrogen Industry, said the MoU is a key step forward in the process of having this major project completed.

“This is an exciting project for Western Australia and will put our State at the forefront of producing green hydrogen, making it competitive on a worldwide scale.

“The Cook Government is proud to continue its commitment to the renewable hydrogen sector and its pledge to reduce emissions in WA.”

Viva Energy will supply aviation, marine, and ground fuel to the ADF

The hub will cover 15,000 square kilometers

Ampol predicts “robust” demand for traditional fuels for years

DEMAND FOR TRADITIONAL transport fuels, such as petrol, will “remain robust” well into the 2030s, believes Ampol.

In the company’s 2023 Climate Report, it stated that their modelling shows that based on average vehicle ownership periods, Ampol estimates that at least 80-85 per cent of the passenger vehicle fleet will still be powered by traditional fuels well into the 2030s.

Matt Halliday, Managing Director and CEO of Ampol, said since Ampol’s Future Energy and Decarbonisation Strategies were released in 2021, they have developed in-house modelling capabilities to estimate the impact of various climate change scenarios on the transport sector.

Halliday said their climate modelling suggest that electric vehicle penetration will gradually increase from 2025 to become the predominant mode of transport by 2050.

In preparation for this, Ampol has set a target to operate or control at least 500 AmpCharge or equivalent EV charging bays by 2027 in Australia. So far, they have installed 22 AmpCharge bays to the end of May 2023, across 10 sites, and four states.

Looking at the targets set in its 2021 Future Energy and Decarbonisation Strategies, Ampol said it is on target to reducing its operational emissions (Scope 1 and 2) to be net zero by 2040 in Australia, with interim targets set for 2025 and 2030.

Chevron set to leave Thevenard Island

CHEVRON AUSTRALIA IS set to return Thevenard Island to the WA Government following the completion of its decommissioning works.

The Chevron-operated Thevenard Island Joint Venture oil and gas facility located around 22 kilometres from Onslow produced about 156 million barrels of oil from 1989 until production ceased in 2014.

Chris Jones, Chevron Australia’s Thevenard Island Retirement Project Manager, said the project highlighted Chevron’s commitment to responsible late life asset management.

“Ampol is committed to reducing its operating emissions and to helping our customers reduce their own emissions. However, we also recognise that our key markets are in the early stages of the transition and that the pace and shape of the transition is both uncertain and likely to vary significantly in each of the markets we serve.

“This requires us to take a flexible and pragmatic approach, tailoring the level of spend and areas of focus over time and as markets evolve; acknowledging that the likely solutions will not be a one size fits all for our customers,” said Halliday.

“The Thevenard Island Retirement Project is an example of Chevron’s commitment to progressing decommissioning and rehabilitation activities in a systematic and timely manner to deliver positive outcomes for the environment and local community.”

The decommissioning process involved the plugging of 11 onshore production wells, three water disposal wells, one exploration well and the safe dismantling and removal of three 150,000-barrel oil storage tanks in addition to production tanks, separator vessels, flowlines, associated process infrastructure and ancillary accommodation facilities and utilities including the controlled toppling of the 38-metre communications tower.

The process included working with local partners NTC Contracting, Workpower, and Onslow Indigenous Sea Rangers to plant more than 120,000 native seeds, with the monitoring of rehabilitation of to be carried out over the next few years.

Barry Crossey, Liberty Industrial’s General Manager, said Thevenard Island set a new benchmark for transforming end-of-life sites into rehabilitated areas, that can be carried through to future projects in the region and further afield.

“As we celebrate this achievement, we also reflect on the lessons learned throughout the process and are committed to using these insights to further refine and improve our operations, increase efficiencies, and set new safety and environmental standards within the industry.”

Ampol has installed 22 AmpCharge bays across 10 sites and four states

Chevron is leaving Thevenard Island after 34 years

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