C&I Retailing Magazine June-July 2024

2024 INDUSTRY

Insights from the P&C industry’s leading minds.

LEADERS FORUM

From category leaders to key retailers, P&C’s most influential people share their perspectives on navigating the challenges of a dynamic landscape, driving growth in a competitive sector, and shaping the future of their businesses. From page 20.

In this issue

Regulars

08 Face Time

Hassan Kowaider, National Sales Manager, CTC Australia

12 Store Review

bp Stapylton

Specials

16 AACS State of the Industry Report

Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS, shares insights from the 2023 AACS State of the Industry Report prepared by CMA

20 Leaders Forum

Industry leaders share their thought on the state of the convenience and roadside retail industry

Features

54 Chocolate

A key driver of sales within the confectionery category

58 Salty Snacks

A crucial part of the mix for convenience retailers

62 Forecourt Technology

Ways for retailers to move their forecourt into the future

New Products

66 Product Ranging

We bring you all of the latest new product launches Industry Experts

74 Opinion

Safa de Valois, C&I; Jason Joukhador, Ampol; Michael Brick, Meris Food Equipment

80 Industry Updates

X Convenience; Frucor Suntory; 7-Eleven; Gilbarco

84 Petrol News

Unstaffed Stations; NPD Ownership; Ampol

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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

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Jacqui Cooper jacqui@intermedia.com.au

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Tony Willson

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A state of evolution

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

In this bumper issue, we speak with some of the industry’s leading representatives, from category leaders to key retailers, we find out what they’ve been up to over the past year, pinpoint the challenges they’re currently facing, highlight their achievements, and discuss how they’ve adapted to changing consumer demands.

Feedback from retailers and suppliers showed that while there are challenges, there are also plenty of opportunities for those willing to take them. Some of these are highlighted in our snapshot of the 2023 AACS State of the Industry Report, compiled by CMA, and shared by Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS).

We then take a look at the revamped bp Stapylton and how it is working to better serve the evolving mobility needs of its customers. We meet Hassan Kowaider, National Sales Manager at CTC Australia, and discuss how he’s managed to forge himself a rewarding and diverse career in the industry.

Our features this issue examine the food aisles, with chocolate and salty

snack categories. We then turn our attention to the forecourt and take a look at how technology continues to revolutionise the experience.

The salty snacks segment continues to be a cornerstone of convenience store offerings. We explore the latest consumer preferences, emerging brands, and how these tasty treats are driving sales and customer loyalty.

We then turn our attention to the sweet side of the aisle with an in-depth look at chocolate. Examining the latest trends in chocolate consumption, and how the category continues to be a key driver of sales within the confectionery category despite a recent influx of ‘health-conscious’ options.

In our final feature, we take a look at how technology is revolutionising the forecourt. From automated payment solutions to digital signage and the integration of apps, technology is enhancing at a rapid pace and those that can keep up are bound to succeed.

As always, we are grateful for our columnists Safa de Valois, Group Publisher at C&I Media, Jason Joukhador, GM Merchandise and Dealer Channel at Ampol, and Michael Brick, Partner and General Manager of Meris Food Equipment.

I hope you enjoy the issue and I’ll seeya round!

Cheers, Thomas Oakley-Newell

Thomas Oakley-Newell

Safa de Valois

Alyssa Coundouris

James Wells

Coca-Cola® x Marvel: The Heroes

Coca-Cola® has dropped its limitededition packaging with immersive storytelling featuring characters from across the Marvel Universe.

Coca-Cola® x Marvel: The Heroes features bespoke illustrations of eight characters from across the Marvel Universe — from Captain America to Black Panther to Deadpool — on Coca-Cola Classic and Cola-Cola Zero Sugar bottles and cans, brought to life with a balance of white, red, and black tones. This collaboration will be supported by a new immersive marketing campaign.

132653 | www.cocacolaep.com/au

KitKat Honeycomb Flavour Buzz Sharebar

It's time to taste the buzz with new KitKat Honeycomb Flavour Buzz. Break off a finger of the new KitKat Honeycomb Flavour Buzz Sharebar when you next need a break. Just unwrap, snap, and savour the crisp oven baked wafer fingers all deliciously covered in smooth honeycomb flavoured chocolate with crispy caramel flakes.

KitKat Honeycomb Flavour Buzz is made with 100 per cent certified sustainable cocoa, supplied through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan.

Proudly made in Nestlé’s Australian factory, in Campbellfield, Victoria. Have a break, have a KitKat.

www.kitkat.com.au

Cadbury and Peters launch new ice cream tub

Cadbury and Peters Ice Cream have announced the launch of the new Cadbury Dairy Milk Hazelnut Tub.

The new creation is inspired by the second bestselling Cadbury chocolate black flavour –Hazelnut and comes in a 460ml tub, delivering a creamy chocolate hazelnut flavoured core and loaded with Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate and chunky hazelnut pieces throughout.

Andrea Hamori, Head of Marketing at Peters Ice Cream, said hazelnut is a booming flavour.

“The chocolate-hazelnut flavoured core, spread through the centre of our new tub really packs a delicious punch and we can’t wait to share our new creation with Australians.”

www.peters.com.au

JUNE/JULY

PRIME TIME PRODUCT PICKS

Funday Natural Sweets launches new Party Mix

Funday Natural Sweets has launched a new Party Mix featuring the classic milk bottle, raspberry, and pineapple lollies.

The Funday Party Mix is filled with gut-loving prebiotic natural ingredients and a total of 8.9g of dietary fibre per 50g bag (36 per cent of the recommended fibre intake for women, and 30 per cent for men).

Funday is raising the bar when it comes to healthier snacking options, having made history by receiving the first ever five-star health rating in the party mix category with 89 per cent less sugar compared to leading lollies in market.

www.fundaysweets.com

Sweet success

A strong work ethic and commitment to those around him has seen Hassan Kowaider, National Sales Manager at CTC Australia, rise the ranks and build himself a diverse and fulfilling career. This is his story…

I WAS BORN in Sydney, NSW, and spent my early childhood in Marrickville before moving to Lidcombe in my early teens. Growing up, I lived with my mum, dad, and brother, and later on my sister, who is 21 years younger than me.

Growing up in Sydney was awesome, not a care in the world. I attended public school, where being the only redhead with freckles got me a lot of attention. My childhood was incredibly active; I was involved in five sports every week – rugby league, rugby union, soccer, basketball, and volleyball. I enjoyed the competition and camaraderie of team sports and reached schoolboy level in most, which was a testament to my dedication and love for sports.

In addition to sports, my hobbies included fishing and dirt bike riding. These activities offered a sense of freedom and adventure, allowing me to explore and appreciate the great outdoors.

At the age of 12, I got my first job working for my dad’s cleaning business. My dad came to Australia with nothing and built a successful business from scratch,

even landing the cleaning contract for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. This early introduction to the workforce instilled in me a strong work ethic and a sense of responsibility, something I believe I still carry with me to this day.

My professional journey has been diverse and fulfilling. I currently hold the position of National Sales Manager, a role that I worked hard to achieve. I began my career as a storeman at 22 years-old and gradually climbed the corporate ladder, taking on various roles in warehouse, factory, and business management. Over 27 years, 21 of which have been in sales, I've seen our business grow tremendously.

Two people I looked up to at CTC were Andrew Theouli and Gordon Ogilvie. Both were great mentors and helped my growth. Andrew taught me patience and instilled a work hard ethic. Gordon was also an amazing man and educated me on sales and leadership. I am so thankful to them both for having a tremendous impact on both my personal and work life.

Above: Visiting the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium

“I began my career as a storeman at 22 yearsold and gradually climbed the corporate ladder, taking on various roles in warehouse, factory, and business management.”

One of my proudest career highlights is the consistent double-digit growth we've achieved after a challenging first year. Another notable achievement was bringing the Fini brand to Australia and winning The Distributor Group’s Supplier of the Year award multiple times, a testament to our team’s dedication and innovation.

Travel has also been a significant part of my life, both for work and pleasure. Each year, I travel to Europe for work, visiting countries like Germany, London, and Spain, with Lebanon added to the itinerary to visit family. My wife and I ensure that we take one holiday together each year and another with our children, balancing work with family time. A few years ago, we embarked on a round-the-world trip, an amazing experience that created unforgettable memories.

My advice to retailers would be to think outside the box to attract customers. Innovative displays, such as the Kandy Kingdom setups, can make a significant difference in drawing attention and boosting sales. For suppliers, the key is to remain innovative and adaptable. The market is ever-changing, and those who can stay ahead of the curve will thrive.

Outside of work, family remains at the core of my life. My wife, Bassimah, and I have four wonderful children –Jayden, 25; Zak, 22; and our twin girls, Layann and Hanann, who are 19. I used to coach rugby league but I put the boots away in order to spend more time with my family.

Five years from now, I’d love to be retired and enjoying life with my family and taking a few more of those international trips, both with and without the kids. But we never know what twists and turns life takes. ■

With wife Bassimah

At ISM in Germany with the CTC team and Greet from Fini

Visiting one of CTC's factories in China to see product coming off the line

Hassan with Gordon and Cameron Ogilvie

Refreshed and ready to go

After months of renovations, an enhanced bp Stapylton has reopened with the aim of better serving the evolving mobility needs of its customers.

Words Thomas Oakley-Newell

NESTLED CONVENIENTLY BETWEEN

Brisbane and the Gold Coast, bp Stapylton stands out as a premier destination for travellers seeking a refreshing pit stop. As one of bp’s larger travel centre sites, bp Stapylton is meticulously designed to cater to the diverse needs of both long-distance and short-trip travellers.

The site, which was reopened after 192 days of renovations, features a refreshed wildbean cafe with new made-to-order food options, a Krispy Kreme, McDonalds, Coolabah Tree, Origin Kebabs, and Sushi, as well as a completely new fuel system that will allow more product availability for customers.

Paul Augé, Vice President Mobility and Convenience at bp Australia and New Zealand, was understandably happy with the reopening of the site.

“After months of work to upgrade our site at bp Stapylton, we’re re-opening with an offer that will provide our customers with a more convenient place to re-fuel, pick-up snacks and grab a barista-made coffee on their journeys.”

Augé explained that across Australia, bp is reimagining its retail offering by refreshing its wildbean cafes and providing superior in-store and digital experience its customers.

“Transformations are happening across our biggest travel centre sites this year and we are planning to roll-out store designs that really enhance our customer experience.

“We’re keeping our customers at the heart of everything we do, and we’re committed to providing convenient options and great value.”

Bp Stapylton boasts an impressive array of amenities that cater to a wide range of customers. Whether in a car, truck, caravan, or coach, bp Stapylton has all customers covered with dedicated parking facilities.

The site features a 20-pump car canopy and a 20-pump truck canopy, ensuring quick and efficient refuelling for all vehicle types. For truckers, the site offers B Double Parking and a Truckers Lounge equipped with showers and washing machines, providing a much-needed respite for those long-haul journeys.

Customer-focused

The customer is at the heart of everything bp does, and bp is continuously looking and reimagining from its prior learnings to inform how it can enhance its offering to better serve its customers.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to innovate for our customers, as we know our customers are looking for convenience above all else.”

- Paul Augé, Vice President Mobility and Convenience at bp ANZ

“We’re focused on ensuring our customers can conveniently re-fuel, charge up and pick up delicious on-the-go snacks throughout their journeys. We know that time-poor customers are looking for convenient options, so we are upgrading our sites to offer wildbean cafe food and drinks on-the-go,” said Augé.

For those on the go, bp Stapylton offers an extensive range of grab-and-go options. From cold and hot drinks, including premium barista-made coffee, to made-to-order food such as nachos and chips, customers are spoilt for choice. Packaged sandwiches, hot food like pies and sausage rolls, and grocery items from brands like You Foodz and My Muscle Chef cater to those looking for quick and nutritious meals.

Bp understands that more and more Australians are looking for value in their everyday purchases and are doing what they can to provide that.

“As well as providing quality fuel, baristamade coffee, and convenient on-the-go snacks, bp is providing customers with loyalty programmes that reward them. Our data shows customers are continuing to engage with bp Rewards as they seek to gain greater value from their purchases,” said Augé.

Future proofing

With an eye firmly on the future, innovation is key to bp’s progress, which includes futureproofing its sites as the energy transition takes place, as well as enhancing customer experiences through seamless and frictionless interactions.

“We’re always looking for opportunities to innovate for our customers, as we know our customers are looking for convenience above all else. As the world becomes more

technologically advanced, we’re also working to enhance our digital platforms to provide our customers with a seamless experience.

“No matter what happens in the future, we’re committed to providing customers with their end-toend mobility needs. We know our customers’ habits will change as the energy transition progresses. In the future, we expect customers will spend more time at our sites while charging electric vehicles,” explained Augé.

Another important facet of running an effective business is the relationship between retailer and supplier. Bp values its supplier relationships and works hard to communicate regularly and openly.

“At the end of the day, we’re in this together and we try our best to understand each other’s businesses and needs. Collaboration and communication are the foundation of any successful partnership.”

The reinvigorated bp Stapylton is a shining example of how bp is setting a high standard in convenience retail with its extensive service offering, commitment to customer experience, and innovate approach, but despite this, Augé explains that bp isn’t standing still.

“As change happens across the globe at different rates, we’ll continue to build our retail expertise to meet the needs of customers on the move. We believe convenience is a resilient and growing part of our mobility ecosystem at bp.” ■

The site features a 20 pump canopy

Wildbean cafe is one of many new food options

Bp is enhancing its digital platforms across its sites

29-30 October 2024

Visitor registration is open for the 21st Convenience & Impulse Retailing Expo!

We’ve teamed up with Accommodation Link to secure exclusive discounted room rates at a variety of hotels close to the venue. Register early and book your stay now to avoid inflated prices or missing out (Coldplay will be in town and demand is high).

Visit the Accommodation page at candiexpo.com.au to get started.

Australia’s leading Petrol & Convenience expo has so much to see and taste. Discover new products for your store, and network with retailers and suppliers from across Asia Pacific.

3.1%

Convenience in store Unit sales performance 0.1%

2024 State of Play - Key Results

58% of Convenience Leaders are positive towards the broader channel outlook in 2024, while 13% are Negative.

71% of Convenience Leaders believe Dollar sales performance will increase in 2024.

Only 29% of Convenience Leaders believe that unit Sales Performance will be positive in 2024, while 38% believe that they will decline.

38% of Leaders believe that Foot Traffic will increase in 2024, while 62% believe it will stay the same.

The 3 biggest issues that Industry leaders perceive will impact Sales and Profitability in 2024 are:

– Economic Issues

– Consumer Spending

– Increasing Operational costs

A changing landscape

56% of Leaders believe Beverage category will deliver the greatest value growth in 2024, followed by Foodservice with 29%.

85% of Retail leaders believe the Tobacco value decline will continue to decrease, while 15% believe it will stay the same.

Theo Foukkare, CEO, Australian Association of Convenience Stores, shares insights from the 2023 AACS State of the Industry Report, prepared by CMA Consulting.

IF I HAD to summarise 2023 in one word, it would be “challenging”. The year 2023 operated at full speed from start to finish and was in a cycle of constant change.

Whilst life in Australia post-Covid has returned to normal, there are now unprecedented new challenges for all businesses to navigate their way through: increased cost of doing business, increased regulatory requirements, a changing and complex industrial relations landscape, increased cost of funding, lacklustre consumer confidence, and significant increases in retail crime, to name a few.

The fast escalation in the cost-of-living for the majority of Australians resulted in wholesale shifts in consumer mindset and behaviour, with the largest change being

consumers’ ongoing search for value at every opportunity.

Convenience retailers have continued investment into new store offer development across all states and territories with a continued focus on food, coffee, technology, loyalty, and emerging categories.

Retailers of all sizes have continued to develop customer first offers, placing their consumers at the heart of their decisionmaking process, while at the same time, implementing ongoing renewal of their store design and fit outs.

The hybrid work model is now well entrenched into society and businesses continue to adapt with this new way of working to ensure that they can maintain productivity, innovation, and business culture.

“Retailers of

sizes have continued to develop customer first offers, placing their consumers at the heart of their decision-making process.”

– Theo Foukkare

Promising growth for convenience retail sales

Total Convenience Retail sales for the 2023 calendar year grew by +3.1 per cent to $10.408 billion, delivering incremental retail sales of $313 million.

The first half delivered stronger growth of +4.3 per cent, however as the cost-of-living pressures continued to bite throughout the year, this impacted visit frequency, average spend, and inhibited overall growth. Food and Beverage ended the year with growth of +12.6 per cent delivering an extra $676 million in sales, while Non-Food declined -7.7 per cent or -$363 million, led by Tobacco which dropped -11.2 per cent or -$392 million.

Food and Beverage continue to shine as retailers continue to invest heavily in these offers, together delivering incremental sales of +$676 million over the 12 months. Foodservice has now achieved double digit growth for seven years running, now contributing over $1.34 billion.

We continue to build momentum and provide everyday Australians with great quality food to keep them recharged and rehydrated. Store growth continued adding +108 stores for the year to finish the year at 7,357 stores, up +1.5 per cent. This was mainly driven by the independent retailers with new to industry stores being rolled out at record numbers.

Considering the challenging economic backdrop, low levels of consumer confidence, and the largest category declining by almost $400 million, the industry has delivered a good result, underpinned by continued growth in the key focus categories. I would like to personally thank all retailers who took the time to provide their data in confidence for the report, which makes it the most comprehensive and complete picture of sales for Convenience Retail in Australia. Thank you also to Brett Barclay and the Team at CMA for the report and to Coca-Cola Europacific Partners for their exclusive sponsorship of the report. →

FAST FACTS

• Total convenience retail sales grew +3.1 per cent to $10.4 billion

• Store numbers grew by +1.5 per cent to 7,357

• Food and beverage experienced growth of +12.6 per cent as retailers continue to invest heavily in these offers

• Non-food declined by -7.7 per cent, led by the largest category, tobacco, which dropped -11.2 per cent

“While the

– Theo Foukkare

What will 2024 bring?

While the increased cost-of-living challenges have impacted consumer behaviour, we believe the convenience channel is well positioned to continue driving growth across all core categories. We will see continued investment in new stores and offer development in line with consumer expectations.

Foodservice will see its stellar seven years of growth continue, as well as continued investment into better quality freshly prepared food.

We expect that consumer migration away from traditional tobacco products into illicit nicotine vaping will continue, however, with increased Federal and

State Government enforcement we believe that the illicit market erosion of legal sales may stabilise.

Convenience and mobility retailers will continue to invest in being business fit for the slow but eventual transition to future energy.

Shop formats, product ranges, healthier food options, new services, coffee, and exceptional customer service will continue to be a major focus along with ensuring the core basics are executed well and consistently.

AACS will continue to support the industry across all our strategic priorities to ensure we protect the convenience industry. ■

DOWN UNDER STUDY TOUR

2 days of carefully planned store visits across Adelaide, meeting industry leaders & experiencing the latest in store formats & innovation.

Mid Year State of Industry Update

Accommodation at The Playford, centrally located in the bustling West End precinct

Breakfast at the hotel Group dinner at the rooftop restaurant & bar 2KW

2024 ANNUAL INDUSTRY LEADERS FORUM

From suppliers, wholesalers, and retail groups to industry associations, C&I has spoken with leaders from right across the convenience and roadside retail industry.

In this issue pages 22–52

“We speak with industry leaders to uncover the challenges and opportunities they believe our channel and their businesses are facing.”

Rising to the challenge

Words Thomas Oakley-Newell

In a time when the world is changing faster than ever, the P&C industry faces a host of new challenges. However, within every challenge lies an opportunity – an opportunity to embrace change and make it work for you.

Despite a challenging year marked by consecutive rate rises, unprecedented cost-of-living increases, and lower levels of consumer confidence affecting nearly every industry, the channel still returned relatively positive results. This success was largely underpinned by the continued growth of food and beverages, as retailers and suppliers recognised the opportunity to invest in on-the-go food, foodservice, and beverage offerings.

P&C stores are no longer seen as a consumer’s last option for picking up lunch or a snack. Instead, some sites have become go-to destinations for consumers seeking quick, convenient meals that don’t compromise on quality.

The rise of AI might seem daunting to many, but its potential in the P&C sector is immense. From inventory management to dynamic pricing to fraud detection, the capabilities of AI cannot be understated. While some may view AI as a challenge, it is, in fact, an opportunity to be embraced. The strategic use of AI technology can enable businesses to not only meet current challenges but also anticipate and prepare for future trends.

In this 2024 C&I Leaders Forum, we speak with industry leaders to uncover the challenges and opportunities they believe our channel and their businesses are facing. Providing in-depth knowledge and an unwavering passion for the industry, their insights are valuable nuggets of gold that we hope will inspire readers as they navigate this ever-changing industry.

A big thank you to everyone who took part; we truly appreciate you sharing your wisdom. You are all a testament to what a united and dynamic industry we are. Enjoy!

Theo Foukkare

CEO, Australian Association of Convenience Stores

“Given the current state of the economy and low levels of consumer confidence, combined with the enormous pressures on the cost of doing business, operational efficiency for all businesses must be a major focus to ensure they can remain profitable.”

Q. What have been the highlights for AACS and the convenience industry over the past 6-12 months?

Without doubt for me the highlight has been enhancing the AACS brand with media and all relevant government stakeholders, ensuring our industry’s voice is heard clearly. Our member engagement across our events program has continued to strengthen AACS’ position as the leading voice for convenience retailers and suppliers. A key highlight was bringing together over 620 delegates for our Connect 24 conference and 700 delegates for our industry awards night.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

My continued priorities for the remainder of 2024 will be focused on retail crime and its impact on both retailers and the general community, as well as driving commonsense outcomes for tobacco licensing in Victoria and NSW to address the out-of-control black market. We will also continue our advocacy on the sensible de-regulation of packaged alcohol, working with the Federal Government to achieve a sensible tightly regulated consumer model for vaping by adults in Australia, as well as working with all stakeholders on the potential for a future sugar tax and why it will not achieve the desired outcomes. Alongside this, member engagement through our series of events planned for the second half of this year.

Q. What are the most important topics the industry should be discussing in 2024?

Given the current state of the economy and low levels of consumer confidence, combined with the enormous pressures on the cost of doing business, operational efficiency for all businesses must be a major focus to ensure they can remain profitable. Simultaneously, the investment in the latest technology, running in parallel with commencing on the AI journey for all organisations is must. My

only advice is to start with the problem you are trying to resolve and work backwards, it is very helpful knowing what you need to address rather than allowing AI or technology to dictate what you need to do.

In terms of retail format development, the discussions should be focused on understanding your consumer and tailoring your offer to your local area – the one size fits all approach is no longer relevant. And finally, if you aren’t on TikTok or creating reels for your socials, you are falling more behind every day. Invest in these to make sure you are talking to tomorrow’s customers today before your competitor does and takes them from you.

Q. What does your crystal ball tell you about the future of convenience in Australia?

I believe the industry will see further consolidation in the second half of this year, which will drive increased competition and see the introduction of a new self-serve format, which has the potential to see a new dynamic play out for consumers. It will continue to be a challenging 12 months ahead, with positive news on the horizon for consumers as confidence will come back into retail spending and discretionary spending eases up, but I don’t expect to see this until the second half of 2025. Even though the industry has its challenges to manage, I foresee continued food and beverage investment to be a major growth driver for the next 5-10 years.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The most enjoyable part of my role is engaging with members and listening to what I can do to support them from a legislative perspective with Federal and State Governments, as with continued efforts I have the ability to drive policy change. I really love representing retailers and suppliers for the best industry in Australia – the petrol and convenience industry. ■

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For more information, contact Zan Lewarn, Member Engagement Manager at zan.lewarn@aacs.org.au

Brett Higgins Managing Director, Boxx Brands

“The convenience channel is appealing because of the amount of traffic through the door, and there are so many operators out there looking for an edge to help drive that.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for Boxx Brands over the past 12 months?

One main highlight was acquiring the rights to Cinnabon, the US brand, for Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. Previously, we partnered with Krispy Kreme in Western Australia, helping their expansion through Jesters outlets where people could buy Krispy Kremes. We plan to do something similar with Cinnabon, complementing the standalone stores that we opened.

Additionally, we're in discussions with several parties about the brand entering the convenience channel. Our VP is currently on the road, and I am discussing with him how to replicate the Cinnabon model used in the US.

Q. What will be the focus of Boxx Brands for the remainder of 2024?

Our primary focus is on expanding into the P&C channel. We have recently opened bp Williams, halfway between Perth and Albany, which will be followed by four Metro stores in the next four to six weeks. Expanding into the convenience channel is accelerating quickly. Having a relationship with OTR back in the day, I was exposed to what the Peregrine Group were doing right from their first Subway store, so I was able to see what they did and how they put it together. And to me,

there’s a lot left on the table for convenience stores to have the presence of brands that has not yet been realised.

The convenience channel is appealing because of the amount of traffic through the door, and there are so many operators out there looking for an edge to help drive that. Our approach is unique as we don’t use a franchisee arrangement with these stores; they act as product merchandisers, and our product is well-suited to the market.

Q. How do you envisage the on-the-go food category performing over next few years?

I see it growing. Despite the current cost-ofliving pressures, people still need to buy food. While they may not purchase as frequently, when they do, it will often be quick, on-thego meals. Even if it's only a few days a week, customers will still seek value, quality, and trust in what they buy. I think foot traffic increases when stores feature a known brand, because the customer know exactly what they’re getting.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I really enjoy working with great people and having the opportunity to see our brands everywhere represented well. I love seeing the people who invest in you be successful. ■

THE QSR BRAND MADE FOR CONVENIENCE jesters.au MADE

Dean Theouli

Director, Confectionery Trading Co

“We are agile and nimble at CTC and able to adapt our product offerings, marketing strategies and distribution channels to cater to changing consumer preferences.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for CTC over the past 12 months?

We have seen significant growth in distribution of two of our brands, Big Lolly and Swizzels, which is an exciting time, and we look forward to continued growth for all our brands. We’ve also opened a second warehouse to facilitate the growth of the business.

Our sales and marketing plans are strong and united with the same goal to grow our current brands, launch new brands and bring bestselling products to market. Our dedicated marketing team have also been seeing awesome results from our Tik Tok social channel. Our products are fun and are resonating so well with our consumers and we're achieving great hits.

Q. What will be the main focus for CTC for the remainder of 2024?

We have a very exciting year ahead. We'll be launching some amazing products over the next 12 months and also launching our first seasonal lines. We're expanding our distribution and so it is very exciting that the business is growing and expanding.

We are working on enhanced merchandising solutions such as metal permanent units that will be a huge draw card and create a destination for fun snacking and will drive huge sales in-store.

The remainder of 2024 will see us continue to focus and grow out brands in terms of visibility, distribution, and consumer awareness. We will also aim to maintain 100 per cent DIFOT to our customers.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

The convenience channel often has opportunities to bring unique, innovative products to market that aren’t in the major

retailers as the shopper need is often different and they are in a different mindset. As an example, our brand Fini offers a range of confectionery in a cup that work extremely well as an on-the-go snacking solution for the car – perfect for the convenience channel.

Q. What are challenges you’re currently facing in the industry?

Increased competition from snack alternatives. We’re seeing an abundance of healthier snacks like nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, as well as savoury snacks. Here at CTC, we’re all about balance. We know there is a time and a place for indulgent treats so when our consumers choose our CTC lines, they can be reassured that our confectionery is of the highest quality.

Consumer behaviours and preferences are constantly evolving making it challenging for our brands to stay relevant and meet shifting demands. We are agile and nimble at CTC and able to adapt our product offerings, marketing strategies and distribution channels to cater to changing consumer preferences.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I enjoy developing new and exciting products for consumers to enjoy, and witnessing the surprise and delight on our customers’ faces when they see all the amazing products we have to offer.

We have a very passionate team at CTC, who all love confectionery. It’s a fun category to work on and CTC has been in the business for over 40 years so we have plenty of knowledge! The team are innovative and have a passion for quality. We are all excited by our amazing brands and our love for confectionery is at the heart of everything we do. This makes work very enjoyable! ■

With

Tim York

CEO, Flexitarian Meal Solutions

“Ultimately our goal is to make it simple for shoppers to pick up a plant-based protein or macros-optimised ready meal and enjoy it as part of their weekly meal rotation.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for Flexitarian Meals Solutions over the past 6 to 12 months?

The past few months have been an exciting period of growth for Flexitarian Meal Solutions (FMS). With the integration of Soulara and MACROS into v2food, we’ve significantly diversified our product range to include both plant-based and fitness-focused ready meals. This move strengthens our mission to cater to the rising number of people embracing plantbased or flexitarian diets.

Further, we’re building on Soulara and MACROS’ strong e-commerce presence to expand our reach beyond supermarkets and foodservice channels. We’re excited to bring tasty, convenient meals to right to consumers’ doorsteps and demonstrate just how easy and delicious meat reduction can be.

Q. What will be the main focus for Flexitarian Meals Solutions for the remainder of 2024?

Our main priorities for the remainder of 2024 are integration and innovation. We’re continuing the process of integrating Soulara and MACROS into FMS, optimising our operations across the brands.

Coming together allows us to provide a well-rounded menu for consumers seeking a plant-based lifestyle, and v2food’s expertise in plant protein is the ideal complement to Soulara’s vegetable forward approach. Similarly, through MACROS we can offer a versatile, delicious range for consumers looking to reduce their meat consumption and adopt a flexitarian diet.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

Ultimately our goal is to make it simple for shoppers to pick up a plant-based protein or macros-optimised ready meal and enjoy it as part of their weekly meal rotation. The

convenience channel allows us to introduce plant-based options in a format that is easily accessible and fits seamlessly into the busy lifestyle of our consumers. It’s about removing those barriers and making it straightforward for everyone to choose healthier, sustainable options without compromise.

Q. What is one challenge you’d like to see addressed in the industry?

We know consumers want to eat more plant-based products in their diets, but some of the barriers to making this change are concerns around taste, nutritional value & how to cook them. FMS removes these barriers by offering a range of meals that are designed by our team of chefs and dietitians to ensure best-in-class taste, variety, and nutrition, available at their local store or delivered straight to their door.

Q. How do you envisage the next six months for your category in the convenience channel?

The trend around convenience is not going away, and as more consumers look to reduce their meat intake we expect that consumers’ demand for quality, tasty nutritionally balanced plant-based meals will increase. Additionally, as more consumers adopt a flexitarian diet we expect to see the number of varieties of plant-based products grow to cater for this.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

It’s exciting to see the endless possibilities FMS, and more recently the acquisition brings for the brand, its consumers, and the wider community. It’s particularly gratifying to lead our efforts not only in cutting-edge science and technology but towards a sustainable future that supports the health and nutritional needs of our global food chain. ■

REAL AMBITION CALLS FOR REAL COFFEE

REAL AMBITION CALLS FOR REAL COFFEE

Mahesh Nandagopal

National Sales Manager, Gilbarco Veeder-Root

“Our focus will remain on driving growth in the automation space which includes the Invenco by GVR payment solution.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for Gilbarco Veeder-Root over the past 6 to 12 months?

The last 12 months have been both challenging and exciting. There were some major shifts in the industry with a couple of large acquisitions. We also experienced a softening of the market with some of our larger customers being conservative with their network upgrade works and building of new to industry sites. Whilst this posed a challenge to achieve growth, our diligent account managers worked with our customers in identifying other opportunities to drive growth. This led to a couple of big wins with Gilbarco Veeder-Root (GVR) partnering with two major customers in supplying our industry leading forecourt controller.

In addition, we also introduced our Invenco by GVR payment system to the wider Australian market. This led to a partnership introducing a unique unmanned fuelling concept to the retail market. Our service business grew from strength to strength with the win back of a lost contract.

GVR has also been focused on introducing fuel management systems into the commercial and industrial sector which includes aviation, marine, mining and other commercial applications.

Q. What will be the main focus for Gilbarco Veeder-Root for the remainder of 2024?

2024 will remain a challenging year, we have had a couple of big wins to start the year but keeping the momentum on growth under challenging conditions will be our goal. As such our focus will remain on driving growth in the automation space which includes the Invenco by GVR payment solution, we will also remain steadfast in growing our core offering such as our industry leading pumps, dispensers, tank gauging systems, and turbines.

With one of the largest field operations teams in the industry, we will strive to provide best in class maintenance services to our contract customers and grow our service customer base. Our projects and install team, along with our sales team, are focused on winning new projects and to deliver on existing commitments on time and with the highest quality workmanship.

This year we hope to have some large wins in the commercial and industrial sector. Our teams are engaging with our customers to build a healthy pipeline of opportunities that they are expecting deliver in 2024.

Q. How do you envisage the next six months for your category in the convenience channel?

We are expecting some more news on the acquisition front, this could provide a host of new opportunities that we are keen to leverage. We believe that payment solutions will start to become more prevalent as our customers look for ways to cut operational costs and grow revenue.

We foresee an increased focus and evaluation of profitable vs non-profitable stores leading to new strategies being employed by our major customers.

Q. Is there anything else happening at Gilbarco that you’d like to highlight?

A key highlight from GVR is the launch of our cutting-edge E-Mobility solution – Konect to the global market. The Konect EV Charging ecosystem offers fuel retailers an end-to-end solution with industry leading technology integrated into the solution. The concept is primarily focused on a complete solution with exceptional ROI.

The solution was globally launched in May 2024 at the UNITI Expo held in Europe. We are excited to introduce this great solution to the Australian market. ■

Now your customer can TAP PUMP GO

Invenco’s Flexpay 6 is the self-service, on-pump payment solution that is revolutionising the way drivers use service stations.

Gives you peace of mind to focus on the C-store experience inside. Those who want to shop for extras can do so in a less crowded environment, while those that want to fill up and go, without the queues, can.

Owners now additionally have the option to keep the pumps open without needing to pay staff to run the C-store experience during less busy times. A win/win for everyone.

Jason Raz

Director, JCSM

“A challenge yet also an opportunity within the petrol and convenience industry, would be our ability to use technology to meet the needs of diverse demographics and by offering products that are specific to the location and the unique preferences of the surrounding community.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for JCSM over the past 6 to 12 months?

Over the last 6 to 12 months, the JCSM team have worked hard to communicate the importance of a considered health and beauty offering in convenience. I am proud of these results, seeing our retailers challenge the status quo of what a convenience offer should look like. Retailers have been able to realise their goals of becoming a “destination station” and pick up incremental sales with the less price conscious distressed consumer. With the onboarding of new principal suppliers and the subsequent entry into new and exciting categories, the JCSM team has almost doubled in size to support this growth.

We have also been working with a leadership and culture organisation called Leading Teams to assist us in maintaining and strengthening our business culture and, importantly, improving our performance. This program has led to us aligning on our core purpose of “Making Lives Easier”, which has become the foundation of our decision making whether that be with our supply partners, distributor partners, retail customers, or even our own internal team.

Q. What will be the main focus for JCSM for the remainder of 2024?

Ensuring our retail partners are best capturing the opportunities around seasonal times with deliberate and effective seasonal activations. Whether it be cold and flu in winter, hay fever in spring or pain relief in the festive season, it’s our goal to help extract the optimal value out of these campaigns.

JCSM also have an opportunity to champion the responsible sale of paracetamol via the transition from 20 packs to 16 packs initiated by the TGA for effect 1st February 2025, communicating this message and

implementing the transition will be a key focus for JCSM for the remainder of 2024.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

I’ve been working in the convenience channel with JCSM for about nine years and enjoy working with like-minded people / family businesses who share a passion for delivering excellent customer service. I look at the changes we have seen in consumer demand over a relatively short period, and how fast the people in the convenience industry have adapted despite these challenges and see that the Australian petrol and convenience industry is complex, but very exciting to be a part of.

Q. What is one challenge you’d like to see addressed in the industry?

A challenge yet also an opportunity within the petrol and convenience industry, would be our ability to use technology to meet the needs of diverse demographics and by offering products that are specific to the location and the unique preferences of the surrounding community. Retailers have the constraint of limited space in-store which adds an additional layer of complexity, yet they are perfectly positioned to curate their product assortment to better resonate with customers, which will lead to more loyal, repeat business.

Q. How do you envisage the next six months for your category in the convenience channel?

In the next six months, we're eyeing growth opportunities in the convenience health and beauty category by honing our stock positioning and forecasting. We're planning to strategically roll out seasonal promotions to engage shoppers effectively. It's all about seizing the moment, capitalising on emerging trends, and keeping our customers happy. ■

Yaniv Peleg

Director, PeleGuy Distribution

Q. What have been the main highlights for PeleGuy over the past 12 months?

“As an ex-superbike racer, I love and enjoy moving fast and sometimes in business, as on the racetrack, we are forced to make fast and immediate decisions where a wrong decision can cost you dearly.”

We got approached by the largest global online retailer to be their supplier, which is quite flattering. We are just starting but the potential is huge and I can’t wait to see how far it will take us.

We’ve also discovered that not many suppliers offer the same level of service as we do; I’m talking about our reps physically visiting every single store on a regular basis, including those located in very remote areas. Apparently, that is not something that comes as a standard to other companies.

This has led to a substantial growth in our customer base right around Australia, with new independent stores, groups with a few sites, additional service stations, and supermarkets from the groups we are already working with joining us.

We’ve been receiving amazing feedback about the attention each of our customers are getting from us, which has been strengthening our relationships with all customers and this has been very rewarding and motivating. At Peleguy distribution, we love the personal touch.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

I bought my first service station at 21 years of age, which was over 30 years ago now. I have seen a lot of growth in the industry and it’s nice to be part of it. Here at Peleguy Distribution, over the past 20+ years, as a distributor we’ve

enjoyed watching our customers grow and expand their businesses by opening additional locations around Australia. It’s satisfying to know that we’ve been a part of that growth supplying our wide range of products.

There have been companies that had just one site when they began working with us and now, they’ve grown to more than 60 sites Australia-wide. And we’ve been there with them, setting up for the opening of each of these sites.

We also have a direct connection to our consumers, and can react to any new trends or products that are hitting the market by sourcing products almost immediately, locally and internationally.

Q. What is one challenge you’d like to see addressed in the industry?

Staffing has been a problem over the past 12 months, and it has been a challenge to find good, professional people.

Safety and theft are other big concerns, as we have been getting an increasing amount of feedback from our site managers about stock going missing off their shelves. As a wholesaler, there is not a lot we can do, but to try and bring theft to a minimum we offer counter and floor displays that protect the products.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

As an ex-superbike racer, I love and enjoy moving fast and sometimes in business as on the racetrack, we are forced to make fast and immediate decisions where a

wrong decision can cost you dearly. Yet you stand up, learn your lesson, and move forward if you want to make it to the top.

Having spent the best years of my life working hard to beat my best lap time in racing motorcycles, I know what a good challenge is, and how rewarding it is to overcome it. I will always go out of my way to close a deal with a new lead that needs a bit of extra attention and will give them all of the information they need in order to understand the benefits of working with us and to become successful in their business. This is a challenge that I get a real kick out of, and it’s not always an immediate reward. The money can come later but first comes the pleasure of having another satisfied customer on board for the long run and seeing their business growing substantially thanks to our combined work.

We love turning an average store into a great looking store; with a wellstocked, organised, and therefore profitable operation.

Q. Is there anything else happening at PeleGuy that you’d like to highlight?

We are very excited about the path we are about to take. A few amazing new Tiko models will be arriving soon.

We are about to expand the range of our products with a major Australian household name — Coles Express - which has more than 700 sites nationally. Also signing more distribution deals with new ranges of exciting products like the very unique PEAK Energy gum. It is featured on the back cover and throughout this issue of C&I. The energy drinks category is exploding, and this product comes at the right time and moment.

After months of hard work our latest catalogue is finally out. The final print is impressive so make sure you grab a printed copy or find it on our website.

A lot will be happening at Peleguy Distribution in the coming year. ■

Joshua Sexton

Senior

Customer Business Manager – Independent and Impulse, Nestlé Purina

“Within pet, we expect growth to continue as we further optimise the category with our business partners, with category growth expected to increase over the coming 6-12 months and beyond.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for Nestlé Purina over the past 6 to 12 months?

Purina has been building strong relationships within the P&C space, realising strong growth across key partners, with one group reporting +147 per cent category growth. We’ve worked with our warehouse and wholesale partners to optimise our range to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers and consumers shopping in this channel.

Q. What will be the main focus for Nestlé Purina for the remainder of 2024?

Educating retailers on the value of pet. The pet category has grown exponentially over the past few years driven largely by an increase in pet ownership through Covid. This has created a great opportunity for the channel in developing the convenience offer. Pet is now worth a staggering $3.5b in Australia, and growing, and is a growth and footfall driver within other channels. Pet within convenience represents a huge opportunity, with the right focus and optimised range.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

Convenience is in an exciting growth phase and we’re loving being a part of this journey! With our convenience partners seeking to drive additional footfall and deliver growth through a highly planned category such as pet, we see significant opportunities. The convenience channel is quite robust and is evolving every day, with diverse geographies and customer demographics, this enables us to drive strategic outcomes through tailored initiatives.

Q. What is one challenge you’d like to see addressed in the industry?

At present, consumers are largely focused

on value as inflationary pressures cause the majority of consumers to re-think their spending habits and get the most value for their money. With the convenience channel typically being priced at a premium, we’re seeing the category contract or growth slow, which is a huge challenge for the convenience channel. The solution will be through tapping into what the convenience shoppers see as value and deliver offers that are meaningful.

Q. How do you envisage the next six months for the pet category in the convenience channel?

We’ve been working on delivering a core range across the category that is optimised, including planograms that are well positioned and have a flow that is easy to shop and we’re starting to see the potential unlocked within the channel. Within pet, we expect growth to continue as we further optimise the category with our business partners, with category growth expected to increase over the coming 6-12 months and beyond. A core focus will be continued customer and consumer education around how pet can meet the customer growth ambitions and consumer shopping needs within this channel.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

Meeting amazing, passionate people from all over the country. We have customers from all walks of life, all over Australia, who our team is meeting, having business discussions with and building personal relationships. It's been a privilege to be welcomed into the industry, in particular a highlight has been engaging with passionate and knowledgeable stakeholders within the industry at trade events and expos. We look forward to building strong partnerships and continue driving category growth for pet in convenience. ■

Wayne Miller

National Business Manager, U-Haul Australia

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

This role gives me a chance to engage with many people in different roles. I have been in the convenience industry since I was 16, so I have had the pleasure in dealing with many from my past roles, but also meet many newcomers.

I love watching their faces as I am telling them the sort of dollars that they could be earning from something as simple as trailer hire and for very little effort, it always puts a smile on my face.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for U-Haul over the past

the best in electronic hire systems to make it simple for both the hirer and the agent. We look at what is new in the industry, trailer-wise, that we can help with and give everyone a win with the bottom line.

Q. What are your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

We are busy looking at what the changes in the market demands are, with all the new 4WDs that have hit the market in the last 5 – 10 years, we found that if they broke down that there was no trailer hire option for them. After many

We have a 3.5 tonne car carrier trailer that you can put most 4WDs onto, so long as the vehicle is rated for 3.5 tonne, which many are. Even our large furniture van trailers are now rated to 3.5 tonne which means only one trip when moving house instead of many.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

U-Haul Australia and Move Yourself, the two largest trailer hire companies in Australia, have merged, as of the 1st of June 2024. The rest of the year will be looking at how we can bring the

Daniel Avrahami

Director, Smooth Wholesales

“Whether it’s the products we sell or the way we maximise every dollar spent, disruption is in our DNA.”

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

What I enjoy most about running Smooth Wholesales is deeply rooted in my family's long history in the petrol and convenience industry. Since the 1970s, my family has been immersed in this sector, with my late father owning and operating many sites across Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Growing up in this environment, I learned the operations and the importance of being an independent operator.

I really love helping our customers see how important every part of their business is for success. This industry always has its challenges and consumer tastes are constantly changing, which keeps me on my toes.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Smooth Wholesales over the past 12 months?

The past year has been a remarkable period of growth and achievement for Smooth Wholesales. We proudly became the exclusive distributor of the highly sought-after Select AFL Footy Cards for the P&C channel, an accomplishment that led to the sale of nearly a quarter of a million packets.

We've forged strong supplier partnerships with prominent new customers, including the well-regarded Drake's Supermarkets in South Australia. In addition, we significantly expanded our USA confectionery range, introducing a wider variety of exciting products while expertly optimising our supply chain to ensure competitive pricing.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

We founded Smooth Wholesales because, as retailers in P&C ourselves, we saw an opportunity to do things differently and focus on what customers want and need from their suppliers. Whether it's the products we sell or the way we maximise every dollar spent,

disruption is in our DNA. This has led us to start developing our own branded products to challenge industry regulars and give them a run for their money.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

We're always keeping our finger on the pulse of what customers want. Consumer tastes evolve and the demand does grow for more exciting products. USA confectionery is a great example where you have regular buyers and the impulsive spenders who are attracted to new and intriguing offerings. However, we know times are tough and the economy is challenging, so shoppers are becoming savvier and budget-conscious. They’re looking to save money without sacrificing quality. That's why we are committed to sensible pricing which keeps products accessible and appealing preventing missed sales due to outpricing.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

I don't expect major changes, but as economic times get tougher, suppliers across the industry will likely cut costs and reduce their on-theroad representatives. The best suppliers will master ordering and delivery, ensuring seamless stocking and effective communication of specials and deals. At Smooth Wholesales, we are heavily investing in ways to make our ordering process as simplified as possible.

On the other side of the equation, consumers will become more cautious with spending, seeking high-quality products at affordable prices. Retailers must offer value and variety to attract savvy shoppers. Stores with unique offerings and great food options will thrive, while those without a point of difference may struggle.

Overall, retailers need to continually test new products, seek customer feedback, and stock their shelves with products to meet evolving demands. ■

Ajay G Patel

National Business Manager, Vodafone and Lebara-PDC

“New opportunities and challenges present themselves every day. This keeps it interesting and motivates me to find solutions that will improve on what we do daily.”

Q. What have been the main highlights for TPG Telecom over the past 6 to 12 months?

Successfully executing the first price rise for prepaid in over 10 years. This requires swapping out old stock, updating digital recharges, and changing promotional material in over 6,500 stores nationwide. It was carefully co-ordinated by over 100 people across multiple areas of the business.

Q. What will be the main focus for TPG Telecom for the remainder of 2024?

TPG Telecom's strategy aims to capitalise on its strengths and opportunities as a fullservice telecommunications company to drive higher utilisation, increase sharing of infrastructure, and unlock value across our asset base.

As we accelerate the benefits of the merger and pursue these opportunities, we have refreshed the guiding principles of our strategy to Integrate and Simplify, Win Smart and Maximise our Potential.

Q. What do you enjoy most about the convenience channel?

Being able to reach a broad range of people from different demographics across the nation. With more than 7,000 stores across Australia we have the ability to have our brand reach consumers in not only the major cities, but the far reaches of the outback.

Q. What is one challenge you’d like to see addressed in the industry?

Integrated solution from Blackhawk and Epay to service all BHN products in the telecom industry. One solution that works for every account for every product.

Q. How do you envisage the next six months for your category in the convenience channel?

The next six months will be interesting, with a lot of changes happening. Vodafone will be coming off a price rise and re-establishing itself in the market. It will no longer be the cheapest tier one telco; it will now be priced the same as its competitors. Lebara has shown strong growth and will continue to do so as it gains reputation as a quality MNVO, with competitive prices and strong inclusions.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

New opportunities and challenges present themselves every day. This keeps it interesting and motivates me to find solutions that will improve on what we do daily. I find this to be tremendously satisfying since there is always a sense of intellectual challenges to navigate. I value the learnings and continue developing myself from these. The collaborative aspect of my profession is another significant plus. I have greatly enjoyed working and learning with my team. Our strong sense of support and the positive work environment make each day pleasurable.

Q. Is there anything else happening at TPG Telecom that you’d like to highlight?

TPG have signed a deal with Optus agreeing to share regional spectrum and mobile network infrastructure for 11 years. The deal will allow TPG Telecom to serve customers from 2,444 towers instead of 755 today, and covers both 4G and 5G services, which will be a win for customers. If the proposed deal receives the final clearance from ACCC, the proposed launch will be early 2025. ■

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Jason Joukhador

GM Merchandise and Dealer Channel, Ampol

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

What I enjoy most is the exhilarating pace of retail, where every day brings new challenges and opportunities. Collaborating with a team of talented individuals adds a dynamic and enriching dimension to my work. I'm particularly passionate about leveraging customer insights and data-driven strategies to drive meaningful change within the business. The ultimate reward is seeing these initiatives come to life and witnessing the positive impact they have on both the business and our customers. It's a continuous cycle of innovation and improvement that keeps me motivated and engaged.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Ampol over the past 12 months?

One of the greatest highlights for Ampol over the past 12 months has been witnessing the wonderful Ampol brand come to life across Australia. This transformation has been

made possible by years of hard work and dedication of our partners and the incredible teams working within Ampol. Their years of commitment have shone through in our results. It's been truly rewarding to see our vision resonating with our customers.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

Our main priorities for the remainder of 2024 will be focused on delivering on our strategic plans and objectives for this year and beyond. We are committed to executing our roadmap with precision and agility, ensuring that we meet our targets and drive sustainable growth. This will involve leveraging our strengths, optimising our operations and innovating to meet the evolving needs of our customers and the market. By staying true to our strategy, we aim to position Ampol for long-term success and create lasting value for our stakeholders. ■

Robert Anderson Director, APCO Service Stations

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

If l swing this question around and ask what l would miss most if l didn't get to be in the business l am in today, it would be the people. I enjoy the personal connections and experiencing the passion and desire in all the APCO teams throughout Support Office, our Company Store Managers and Retail Partners, to make APCO the best convenience retail stores we can be. I couldn't be more grateful to all our teams and people for their sense of belief and belonging to the APCO brand, and it is a privilege to share in their personal development, all their wins and even their losses, knowing that their continued efforts are improving the business and themselves every day.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

APCO has been growing rapidly in both merchandise and fuel sales so we have a continued focus to support this growth with additional resources, services and in particular, to invest and improve our back-office systems, processes and efficiencies that will optimise and enhance our stores’ performance and

profitability. We’re acutely aware that competition is gaining momentum and APCO, when compared to the rest of the market, is a relatively small player. So we heavily rely on ensuring we have the right people, in the right job, working on our key priorities, which will ensure we keep delivering and executing to the highest standards.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

Continuing to invest in technology such as our app, which is all about making customers’ lives more convenient. Convenience is our strength, and we will continue to play to this, offering more of the fresh food range and variety that our customers want, and we do that by getting better at analysing our sales data, to understand the customers’ behaviour more.

The value perception on convenience is under more scrutiny by the consumer than ever before. We can’t rest on traditional views that our customers will keep paying and therefore we are re-looking at some promotional strategies to ensure we're pricing right based on the current economic hardships. ■

“With consumers’ pockets tightening there will be less easy wins. Retailers with strong offers will endure however there will be a consolidation of sites with tired offers.”

Haydn Tierney Managing Director, Bowser Bean

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

At Bowser Bean, I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity to alter and exceed customers’ perceptions of the service station offer. Be it our inviting and comfortable dining spaces or exceptional food and coffee offer, we love making Bowser Bean worth stopping for.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Bowser Bean over the past 12 months?

Our Bowser Bean crew continue to maintain a high standard offer across a broad and diverse network. My field team has also been able to rapidly and cost effectively deploy our shop model to achieve immediate sales success.

“Our channel will continue to rise to the challenge and evolve with the market as it has done for generations.”

Tim Rankin

National Retail Fuels Manager, Caltex

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

The energy that drives our team and the way we partner with retailers to re-establish and grow an iconic brand like Caltex in the Australian market.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Caltex over the past 12 months?

We recently opened our 100th Caltex dealer site and 300th Caltex. It’s great to see the momentum building.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

Close out the rebranding efforts, expand our Caltex network and further develop our loyalty and card offers to anchor volume to our dealers’ sites.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

Our food and coffee definitely resonate with our customers. We will continue to pursue growth through value driven strategies like Burger Wednesday and community engagement through pop up coffee activations. We also have some sites in line for Bowser Bean or Bowser Bound upgrades while continuing to be weary of efficiencies and cost of goods.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

With consumers’ pockets tightening there will be less easy wins. Retailers with strong offers will endure however there will be a consolidation of sites with tired offers. ■

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

Caltex is continuously developing our Retailer Value Proposition to meet the needs of our dealers. We ensure they are equipped to deliver for Caltex Customers by leveraging the strength of our global organisation with its 10,000+ service stations. We keep track of changing customer demand across our global network and tailor the local offers when it makes sense to do so.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

In short, more change. Post Covid, we have seen M&A activity, changing customer buying behaviours, tobacco and vaping landscape shifts, growth of alternate energy, and increased costs to name a few of these. Our channel will continue to rise to the challenge and evolve with the market as it has done for generations. ■

Ben Dunn

Managing Director, The Dunn Group

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

From a personal satisfaction point of view, I have enjoyed watching my business and many of my staff personally grow over the last 25 years, it has been a journey for many involved at The Dunn Group. I have really enjoyed the last 10 years where the industry has moved more into Food and Coffee and I have developed Balmain Coffee Company, this has been satisfying and continues to be an enjoyable part of the day to day.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for The Dunn Group over the past 12 months?

The first thing that comes to mind is the continued growth that we see across all Balmain Coffee Company locations. At times, sales tightened up as interest rates really hit home but we continued to swim against the tide in the cafés which was encouraging. We also started construction of our new bp store at Boorooma (Wagga Wagga) which will have a bottle shop, IGA Local Grocer, and NSW Lotteries, along with Balmain Coffee Company.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

Getting Boorooma open! There is a significant amount of work that goes into opening a greenfield site as many know. The biggest challenge will be getting the store fully staffed and all the training completed prior to opening but we have a fantastic management team across coffee, food, and operations so while there will be a few late nights we will get there.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

I am always a ‘glass half full’ type of person so while I don’t see any major issues around continuing to see growth, there is no hiding behind the fact that interest rates look like they will be staying at or around where they are for a while, consumers need to get used to that and recalibrate a little on where they spend their money. We are pushing ahead and continuing to build stores and look for growth. ■

Elie Dib Executive Manager of Retail and Sales, Metro Petroleum

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love the diversity I have in such a dynamic industry. I have been actively contributing to our family business for many years and have great pride and joy in seeing our network grow and move from strength to strength. We have an awesome, growing, team that makes it a pleasure to drive results and the satisfaction from seeing the outcomes has been priceless.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

We are aware of the changing demands of our consumer. We know consumers are driven to our locations by an affordable, quality fuel offer and we are driving this same vision in-store. We know consumers are struggling financially and are doing everything we can to minimise the cost of their fill. Both in fuel and in shop. We have seen discretionary spend reduced and we will continue to look for opportunities with our supplier partners to offer a better value proposition.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Metro over the past 12 months?

Over the last 12 months we have continued to see our network grow in numbers and the engagement of all our retailers, suppliers and staff contributing to this has been phenomenal. We have continued to look for opportunities to give back to the community. We have implemented and executed partnerships with QSR offers and continue to reinvest in our existing network.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

The year ahead will, as always, be full of change. We are seeing take overs, buy-outs, mergers, “For Sale” signs across the industry. This will create opportunity for a company like Metro Petroleum, which we are ready to capitalise on. We feel the cost-of-living pressures will continue and will remain forefront of all retailers in convenience. We look forward to taking on all the challenges and will combat anything thrown our way. ■

Steve Cardinale

Managing Director, New Sunrise

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for New Sunrise over the past 12 months?

There are two standouts over the last 12 months. Firstly, our community initiatives with Heart of the Nation and Beyond Blue have saved lives. This year, we know the AEDs in our stores have saved another two lives. Secondly, Winning Retailer of the Year for the second consecutive year. Naturally, I am very proud of my team, who are so dedicated to delivering the best retail program in Australia.

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I enjoy helping independent family businesses by providing a retail operating model as a platform for them to build a customised retail offer that keeps them ahead of the competitive curve. These family-owned businesses are the innovation hub of the industry. When we look across our retail network, we have some of the best retail offers across Australia. Mood Foods, a concept developed by Bennetts Petroleum Family in Tasmania, is a great example; they have won

numerous retailing awards over the last two years from both industry associations AACS and ACAPMA. The independents are our inspiration. While large corporates and franchise retail networks must work within a very controlled environment, the proverbial ‘cookie cutter,’ we enjoy being able to set a solid retailing platform that supports across the store, allowing them to Buy Better, Sell Smarter, and Bank More.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

One prediction, independents will grow market share with the progressive oil companies. The independents are an essential part of this industry, with 50 per cent of the locations owned and operated by independents, many family businesses. Oil companies know they need the support of the independents to complement their retail network. Most oil companies have enormous respect for what the independents do, but they all have very different approaches. Some genuinely support the dealers, and these are the oil companies that will thrive and succeed. ■

Angus McKay

CEO and Managing Director, 7-Eleven Australia

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

We’ve been focused on growing our food offer, and expanding our store footprint to ensure we are where consumers need us to be. That’s seen us grow our fresh food to 30 per cent of our offer, and our network grow to more than 750 stores including new markets in regional Australia.

Thanks to our new owners 7-Eleven International, we have access to expertise from the leading convenience food experts in the world. The 7-Eleven Japan stores for example are rightfully famous for their food offering, and there is incredible potential for us to accelerate our growth in the food space by leveraging their expertise.

For our industry, we need to continue to focus on giving consumers value, such as everyday essentials like their morning coffee, or in providing fresh food choices that are economical options for people grabbing a meal on the go. But as always, the convenience space is and will continue to be an exciting world.

I think convenience will continue to feel the impact of consumers tightening their belts, particularly as we approach winter and the impact that has on people’s utility bills. I think that's an incredibly exciting prospect for our customers in terms of what we'll be able to do in the food space.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for 7-Eleven over the past 12 months?

Our most significant milestone in the last year was, after more than 47 years of private ownership, joining the 7-Eleven International family. 7-Eleven Australia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of 7-Eleven International. Mr Shin Abe has been appointed Executive Chairman. 7-Eleven International has a long history in convenience retailing. We are excited about the opportunity to work more closely with our international counterparts to grow our business by focusing on providing our customers with convenience and value, and continuing to make the everyday easier so Australians can live a good life. ■

Lou Jardin

Managing Director, SPAR Australia

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love what I do because it allows me to collaborate closely with key stakeholders in the supermarket industry, driving positive change and fostering innovation. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside suppliers, retailers, and industry experts to create sustainable, effective solutions for independent supermarkets in Australia. This collaborative approach helps us address challenges together, leveraging our collective knowledge and experience to find new ways to meet evolving consumer demands.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

For the remainder of 2024, our main priorities will focus on two key areas: expanding our private label offerings and making inroads into new marketing formats using social media.

First, we will prioritize the expansion of our private label range to offer customers more high-quality, value-driven options across various categories. This strategic focus will allow us to differentiate our product selection and strengthen

customer loyalty by providing unique and affordable alternatives that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. By investing in private label development and enhancing the variety and quality of these products, we aim to deliver exceptional value and satisfaction to our customers.

Second, we will concentrate on making inroads into new marketing formats using social media. By leveraging the power of digital platforms, we can engage with customers more effectively and create targeted campaigns that resonate with our audience. Our focus will be on using creative content and innovative strategies to build brand awareness, foster customer loyalty, and drive sales.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in independent grocery to look like?

The year ahead looks promising, particularly as major chains like Coles and Woolworths face scrutiny from the Senate inquiry into supermarkets. This situation may present unique opportunities for independent supermarkets to strengthen their position and gain a competitive edge in the market. ■

George Tsapoutas

CEO, The Distributors

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

People. I really like dealing with the people in our industry and the complexity that is wholesale distribution. The Distributors operates across an industry that still values relationships and service. We have over 40,000 customers nationally and represent over 200 suppliers with more than 7000 SKUs and the group continue to work towards improving what we do each day.

The Distributors is a national group of family-based wholesalers and pride themselves on their family-based values and service to the industry. Being able to represent the group and work with the support office team is what I enjoy most.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for The Distributors over the past 12 months?

There has not been one that stands out more than the other, the past year has been filled with many challenges from rising

costs of goods and services through to staffing. The one thing The Distributors has been able to maintain its focus on customer service and it is therefore pleasing to be recognised by the industry and customers for the service that we provide. As an example, the group is very proud to have been awarded the AACS Distributor Supplier of the Year in 2024 for the 10th straight year.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

Based on the past year, it would seem that there will be more of the same, change is the only constant. Along with more potential acquisitions taking place with the majors, the independents will continue to focus on their local shopper providing them with good reasons to continue to shop and support local and The Distributors will be there to support both the majors and the independents with their market strategies. ■

Darren Park

CEO, United Convenience Buyers (UCB)

“As an industry, we share with suppliers the pressures in areas such as supply chain and communication – continuing to build shared outcomes in these areas will drive massive dividends for us all.”

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

How could you not feel grateful for the continued performance of our channel? Built because of our collective hard work? There’s simply so much variety in our industry. We get to touch every area across business management and where nothing any of us do, we do alone. We need the help of each other and for myself and my UCB team, that’s our secret sauce. How do we continue to make ourselves available to suppliers and members, in a way that is effective, personable, and enjoyable to work with. We are pushing the boundaries too, we are getting closer to understanding our shoppers via research, and by being in stores every single day, dealing with issues and opportunities in real time.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for UCB over the past 12 months?

Over the last 12 months UCB members, trade partners and my UCB team have grown our respective businesses hard – and in a period where cost inflation has done no favours for anyone. The 2024 UCB National Member Conference and Trade Show, delivered our largest ever attendance and we enjoyed arguably our best ever Trade Show, picked up valuable insights from Australian and International guests and simply enjoyed the company of friends and colleagues. Delivering over $100,000 in support for Rural Aid was a highlight as well as seeing several UCB members receiving awards and accolades for driving their businesses to places that they’ve never been to before.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

UCB members will continue to build on providing their well-known personalised customer service, leveraging their local community connections, optimising product assortment and execution and finding unique ways to add value to the shopping experience,

with programs such as Speed2Shelf. As an industry, we share with suppliers pressures in areas such a supply chain and communication – continuing to build shared outcomes in these areas will drive massive dividends for us all. UCB will also focus on driving a competitive pricing structure for our members. We all need sensible margin to survive and prosper.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

Convenience retailers can and must differentiate themselves by fostering strong connections with their local communities. This may involve supporting local producers, participating in community events, and engaging in philanthropic initiatives. We have a natural advantage over many other shopper options, let’s use our collective network reach to sell a message of community, a consistently safe place to shop and an industry that is responsive to shopper needs. If we can get this right, we’ll make our own future by meeting the needs of our customers. But to change we must remain profitable and competitive against broader shopper options. Convenience can’t improve without investment, and we need to be able to make a fair margin for that re-investment to occur.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

We are seeing a flurry of activity in Australian Convenience – so many clever operators and businesses must like what they see currently or believe there’s opportunity to keep growing. I think this needs to play out a little more. The economic challenges we face, suggest that to me that the best approach is collaboration – genuine collaboration between retailers and suppliers. Convenience retailers can be more efficient, and we can be smarter in the way we operate. We must though have a closer to level playing field when it comes to cost of goods. Collaboration and unlocking shareable savings are crucial, and I see us all talking more about this. ■

Stephen Crystal

Head of Dealer Operations, Viva Energy Retail

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for Viva Energy over the past 12 months?

Firstly, the successful transition of the Coles Express team and business operations to Viva Energy Retail. This is a testament to the quality of people across the organisation who were able to remain focussed on our customers whilst undergoing significant organisational change.

More recently, the other highlight has been the completion of the On The Run (OTR) acquisition in March, bringing together the OTR, Reddy Express and Viva Energy Retail teams and growing our convenience and mobility business to more than 12,000 team members. This was a critical step forward in the expansion of our Convenience and Mobility business, growing our company operated network to more than 900 locations, with a number of new outlets in the development pipeline that will take us to more than 1000 stores in the future.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

A key focus for Viva Energy Retail will be to continue helping our customers manage their cost of living by offering value across fuel and shop. Also, following such a significant acquisition, we will be working to support our team members as we integrate the OTR, Reddy Express and Viva Energy Retail businesses.

We will continue the transformation of Coles Express to Reddy Express, which will be the prominent brand across the network, and we will begin the national rollout of OTR. We will also be following through on our acquisition of the remaining portion of the Liberty Oil Convenience business, pending regulatory approvals. In the dealer channel, we will continue to work closely with our business partners to help them deliver a customer experience that sets them apart from the competition. ■

Kendall Woodward

Head of Commercial, WHSmith Australia

Q. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

I love problem-solving, by challenging myself and others to think differently. I enjoy helping others to achieve their goals through empowerment and support. I’m always seeking knowledge and learning about customers to better service their needs.

Q. What have been the biggest highlights for WHSmith over the past 12 months?

Strengthening our store network through investment into innovative brands and offers delighting a multitude of existing and new customers.

Q. What will be your main priorities for the remainder of 2024?

People and partnerships through serving our customers, developing our team, and strengthening relationships with our partners. Offering clear product and price architecture to balance quality and value.

Q. What is your company doing to meet changing customer demands?

We are intently listening to our customers and evolving our offer with rapid agility through embracing a ‘test and learn’ culture. We are learning from global markets and seeking to service new customer missions.

Q. What do you predict the year ahead in convenience to look like?

Convenience will be faced with increasing customer expectations, and redefinition of 'what convenience means' to align with the changing state of mobility. Volumes will be challenged under cost pressures, enhancing the importance of robust partnerships between retailers and suppliers with joint objectives. I expect continued innovation and growth in food service and functional, or value-add, products and services. Productivity will be improved through genuine adoption of AI (embrace it!), enabling investment into customer service. ■

COOKIE DOUGH FLAVOURED SWIRLS AND CURLS INSIDE LAYERS OF CRISPY WAFER COATED IN CADBURY DAIRY MILK MILK CHOCOLATE

The chocolate opportunity

Chocolate continues to be a key driver of sales within the confectionery category.

CHOCOLATE, GUM, CANDY bars, and other confectionery items are a staple on the shelves of every convenience store, and according to the 2023 Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) State of the Industry Report, the confectionery category has had another strong year, backing up the 9.9 per cent growth in 2022 with a 12.8 per cent growth in 2023.

Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, says that within the wider confectionery category, chocolate continues to be a key driver of sales, adding 8.8 per cent dollar growth in 2023, and maintaining a significant portion of dollar share.

“Chocolate remains the highest dollar share of the category at 54.3 per cent, however this has dropped over the last two years from 56.7 per cent, despite a positive performance over this period,” explained Foukkare.

Sarah Robertson, Category Manager at APCO Service Stations, says that while in recent times more ‘health-conscious’ options have been presented, these don’t always necessarily translate into sales as consumers still consider chocolate an indulgent treat.

“There has been a recent movement to reintroduce limited-edition releases to the market. These are generally flavours that have performed strongly in market, reinforcing the decision to range in-store again,” she says.

According to Joy Lu, Nestlé Australia's Commercial Development Executive – Impulse and Convenience, introducing innovative products and flavours can attract customers and drive sales in the P&C market.

“Shopper studies showed that consumers within the P&C channel are particularly captivated by novel and inventive offerings,” she says. “As customers

perpetually seek indulgence and delightful treats, P&C confectionery retailers can seize the moment by pushing the boundaries of innovation, satisfying cravings, and establishing themselves as the ultimate destination for irresistible confectionery delights.”

One recent such launch from Nestlé was the KitKat Honeycomb Buzz Share Bar (65g) exclusively to the P&C channel.

“Honeycomb chocolate outpaces the appeal of chocolate on purchase intention driven by metrics that show an increase in perception of ‘an indulgent treat’ and ‘tasty’ – making it a perfect choice for P&C customers,” explains Lu. “By offering a channelspecific product, Nestlé can create a sense of exclusivity and excitement among P&C customers, enticing them with a unique product tailored in the right format. This is in line with Nestlé’s strategy to not only drive customer engagement and loyalty, but to also strengthen the P&C channel's position as a go-to destination for exclusive and innovative confectionery options.”

The P&C channel is an important one for Nestlé Australia, which produces some of the leading chocolate products within the channel. This is for a variety of reasons, which Lu explains.

“Firstly, the P&C channel targets on-the-go consumers who prioritise convenience, such as commuters, travellers, and individuals seeking a quick snack,” she says.

“P&C stores are typically smaller in size and located in high-traffic areas like gas stations and urban centres. Due to limited shelf space, these stores offer a curated selection of popular Nestlé confectionery, including chocolate items, that cater to a broad customer base.

Words Deb Jackson

“The assortment may vary from store to store based on customer preferences and regional factors. However, single-serve or grab-and-go packaging formats are preferred to cater to the immediate consumption needs of customers.”

Lu explains how the P&C channel serves as a complementary sales channel alongside other retail formats.

“While larger retail outlets may offer a broader assortment of products, the P&C channel focuses on convenience and quick purchases. Maintaining a presence in P&C ensures that we can capture impulse purchases, reach a broad customer base, complement other retail channels, and stay competitive in the market,” she says.

In terms of trending products, Lu says that iconic Nestlé chocolate brands like KitKat and MilkyBar have a strong presence and consumer appeal in the P&C channel.

“Australia’s favourite chocolate bar – KitKat –has managed to deliver strong growth, proving its resilience and popularity among consumers. Specifically, the KitKat Milk Chocolate bar (45g) is the top selling medium chocolate bar in the market, while KitKat Chunky Bar (50g) has moved up to the third ranking. Also delivering strong growth are the KitKat Share Bar and KitKat Chunky Share Bar, both sitting in the top five best-selling chocolate share bars.

“Additionally, MilkyBar, the top white chocolate brand in market, is leading the white chocolate segment growth with +18 per cent,” says Lu.

Recent releases

Ampol Foodary was unveiled as one of Australia’s select retailers for MrBeast’s Feastables range of chocolates, which are now available on the go, instore, at Ampol Foodary.

The highly sought-after range of confectionery was founded last year by YouTube sensation, MrBeast.

MrBeast is the world’s most popular YouTube creator with more than 190 million subscribers, which includes 11 per cent of the Australian population.

In its first year, Feastables broke into the top 10 chocolate brands in the US and has since sold out at launch in other international markets.

Jenny O'Regan, Chief Brand Officer, Ampol, said that Feastables has captured the attention of millions of chocolate enthusiasts around the world and countless Australians have been eagerly awaiting its arrival on our shores.

"Ampol Foodary is always on the lookout for unique and distinctive offerings for our customers and the release of Feastables at our Foodary sites certainly aligns to this ambition.

"We can’t wait to help satiate the desires of those eagerly awaiting the arrival of this treat which has proven a hit around the world."

“There has been a recent movement to reintroduce limited-edition releases to the market. These are generally flavours that have performed strongly, reinforcing the decision to range in-store again.”

- Sarah Robertson, Category Manager at APCO Service Stations

And while not specifically a new release product, the much-loved malt-chocolate treat, Maltesers, recently underwent a rebranding to ‘Malteasers’.

Mars Wrigley Bitesize Portfolio Director, Michelle Gazzola, said that there has been an ongoing debate over the spelling of the iconic chocolate treat, which has been rolled out across stores nationally where Malteasers are available for RRP $6 for a 140g pack.

“We’re a consumer-led business and since the inception of the brand in 1937, we’ve had questions about the spelling of ‘Maltesers’. It’s long been a sticking point for our consumers, and we receive enquiries about the spelling of the name every day on social media and through our consumer care channels.”

And finally, Mondelēz International’s Cadbury Old Gold has come together with Diageo’s Baileys for the first time for the launch of the alcohol-free Cadbury Old Gold inspired by Baileys chocolate block.

Available now in Coles, Woolworths, BIG W and independent supermarkets across Australia Cadbury Old Gold combines the original rich taste of Cadbury Old Gold dark chocolate with a smooth flowing Baileys Original Irish Cream flavoured centre.

Katina Watson, Senior Marketing Manager at Cadbury, said that Cadbury Old Gold is committed to delighting consumers with the highest quality and rich tasting dark chocolate which Aussies love. →

“Maintaining a presence in P&C ensures that we can capture impulse purchases, reach a broad customer base, complement other retail channels, and stay competitive in the market.”

- Joy Lu, Commercial Development Executive – Impulse and Convenience, Nestlé Australia

“We continue to innovate and evolve our portfolio to include exciting new products that create indulgent experiences for people to enjoy. We’re excited to partner with the world’s number one liqueur brand in Baileys, and Diageo more broadly to create Cadbury Old Gold inspired by Baileys.”

Navigating the P&C landscape

There are several interesting customer trends emerging that influence P&C in the current dynamic economic landscape.

Consumers are putting more time and effort into getting the most value for their money. However, we are also seeing that they are not always reaching for the cheapest products, but instead the most convenient ones.

APCO’s Robertson says that when it comes to maximising sales of chocolate in stores, a clear counter offering is important in driving impulse purchases.

“We have a key focus on core selling lines to drive volume as well as positioning and placement on shelf to maximise return on space.

“The cost increases of cocoa in the last 18 months have flowed onto consumers already. Any further increases will significantly impact any unit growth.”

Nestlé’s Lu says that while convenience is obviously very important for the P&C channel, convenience needs to be tempered by a good promotion in the form of multibuy, points, deal and fuel promotions.

“Consumers are generally snacking more and despite the increasing cost of living pressure, they continue to be drawn to P&C when they are looking for a snack or treat on the go or when they get a craving when filling up on petrol,” she says.

“While indulgent confectionery products remain popular, there is also a noticeable trend towards healthier alternatives within the P&C channel. Consumers are increasingly looking for those options that offer lower sugar content, natural ingredients, or portion-controlled packaging.

“There is a rising trend in gifting through P&C due to busyness of life and convenience of the channel when onthe-go. And not just gifting for others, but also self-gifting.”

When it comes to chocolates for gifting, Ferrero Australia’s boxed chocolates have become the go-to choice for gifting to family and friends.

So much so, that Ferrero Australia recently accepted Canstar Blue’s ‘Most Satisfied Customers’ Award in the Boxed Chocolate category, affirming its position as a leading brand in the boxed chocolate market. Ferrero Rocher received five stars for overall customer satisfaction as well as top marks for taste and texture.

Natalia Stewart, Senior Brand Manager for Ferrero Rocher, said the recognition underscores the brand’s commitment to excellence in both product quality and customer experience.

“Quality is always at the heart of everything we do at Ferrero – from the careful choice of rigorously selected ingredients to the correct processing temperatures to offer a consistent taste experience for our consumers,” she said.

Christine Seib, Canstar Blue's Editor-in-Chief echoed the sentiment, noting that almost half of shoppers who buy boxes of chocolates say that's their go-to choice of gift for friends and family.

“As the winner of Canstar Blue's Most Satisfied Customers award for chocolate boxes in 2024, Ferrero Rocher, however, clearly meets those expectations, with buyers giving the brand five stars for overall satisfaction with their Ferrero Rocher purchase.

“It appears that when chocolate lovers want to spoil themselves or someone they love, Ferrero Rocher is a name they trust to do just that,” she said.

Looking ahead to 2024 and beyond, the P&C channel is likely to face both challenges and opportunities. As the cost of living continues to rise, customers will be more conscious of their spending. This will lead to a greater emphasis on value for money, with consumers seeking affordable options and competitive pricing in the P&C market.

The demand for convenience will continue, with customers increasingly looking for convenience in their shopping experiences, not only in physical stores but also through online platforms.

Changing consumer preferences and demands may pose a challenge for the P&C market. As consumers become more health-conscious and environmentally aware, there may be a shift towards healthier snack options and sustainable products. Adapting to these changing preferences will be crucial to the success of P&C retailers. ■

MrBeast’s Feastables launched into Ampol

Satisfyingly salty

Snackfoods are a crucial part of the mix for convenience retailers, with salty snacks such as chips, nuts, jerky and rice leading the category’s growth.

Words Deb Jackson

ACCORDING TO THE 2023 Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) State of the Industry Report, the Snackfoods category has shown the largest percentage growth of all categories within the convenience channel for the second year running.

After being the number one percentage growth category of 2022 at 29 per cent, Snackfoods has maintained its strong performance in 2023, adding an extra $115m in value over the last two years or 60 per cent from $193m in 2021 to $308m in 2023.

Theo Foukkare, CEO of AACS, highlighted that within the wider Snackfoods category, salty snacks have been leading the growth for the past two years.

“Chips, which make up the bulk of sales, continue to drive the growth up 24.1 per cent and are responsible for 85.6 per cent of total category sales, while nuts, jerky and rice snacks delivered the largest percentage growth for 2023, up 26.4 per cent after growing at 18.4 per cent in 2022.

“The only salty snack that slipped in 2023 was popcorn, which declined by 4.1 per cent after having seen significant growth in 2022. Its share of the category declined from 2.4 per cent to 1.8 per cent,” says Foukkare.

Ben Faulkhead, Category Manager at APCO, said they have observed the strongest growth within the premium chip space.

“Some of this has come at the expense of more of the mainstream brands especially in the entertaining/

large bag area. Unit sales on larger entertaining SKUs have been in decline, but we have seen some small growth in self-consumption bags, again driven by brands such as Red Rock Deli and Kettle.

“Price has been a big consideration for shoppers as we have certainly seen a trend towards downtrading in size as shelf and promotional price has increased,” he says.

Speaking of size, Pringles recently proved that size doesn’t matter, announcing it would be downsizing the size of its cans in a bid to reduce 37,000kg of packaging per year in Australia and New Zealand.

The reduction in the can height of its 53g varieties is a move in Pringles’ next step towards its sustainability goals, but the company assured fans that the amount of chips within each can would remain unchanged.

Dan Bitti, Head of Salty Snacks at Kellanova, said Pringles has a distinctive and iconic can, but the company is committed to finding ways to minimise its environmental footprint.

“We’re excited to introduce revamped cans delivering the same snack with less packaging,” says Bitti.

As part of Pringles’ ongoing efforts to improve sustainability, the plastic lid was removed from the 53g can in 2022. Looking ahead, Pringles is working towards developing more sustainable packaging across the Pringles range.

Convenience matters

Soren Madsen, National Account Manager at Trumps Foods, says the petrol and convenience (P&C) channel is of huge importance strategically for Trumps’ range of grab-and-go snack foods.

“Our top volume lines are all roasted and salted snacks across the Snacks to Go range in our convenient snack cups, accounting for approximately 70 per cent of our volume. When we look at hang-sell pillow packs, the trends very much reflect similar percentages,” he says.

Madsen highlights that while there has been a shift towards healthier choices across snacking options for Australians, he believes that salty snacks will continue to hold their place as the main growth driver within the P&C channel.

“The salty snack remains as the constant go-to in the P&C sector, whether it be in a convenience size or the larger home consumption packs. A significant change in the offerings in the P&C channel is certainly heading towards the healthier/alternative to salt and sugar, but I firmly believe that sugar and salt will remain number one.”

But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t additional opportunities within the snack foods space, as Madsen points out.

“We have seen the dried beef/Biltong variants explode from the supermarkets and into the P&C space; this will continue for the rest of this year at a minimum. From our perspective, growing the valueadded segment will be our focus to bring out new and exciting flavour options,” he says.

For Jack Mortlock, General Manager at Chief Nutrition, the P&C channel has provided a significant opportunity for their Beef Bar range, which is up 500 per cent year-on-year within the sector.

Mortlock attributes this growth to a shift in consumer preferences towards better-for-you snacks, along with an increased demand in snacks that cater to a wider range of dietary needs and lifestyles.

“Price has been a big consideration for shoppers as we have certainly seen a trend towards downtrading in size as shelf and promotional price has increased.”

- Ben Faulkhead, Category Manager, APCO

“If you had told me three years ago that the P&C channel would be our most significant insofar as total doors, I would have been surprised. Three years on, around 25 per cent of all our doors are in the P&C sector,” he says.

“The P&C channel has always been a strong avenue for the sale of snacks, and now as consumers are becoming more health-conscious, the channel must continue to update its retail offer to include these in-demand products.

“Healthy snacking is a trend that continues to grow in Australia, as consumers become more aware of what is beneficial in a product and what to avoid, they are actively seeking out products that won’t just tide them over until mealtime but will provide nourishment and sustenance.

“Trending snacks in the meat category include jerky, biltong, and sausage snacks. Hence, our high protein range, particularly our Beef Bar, lends itself to the meal replacement market, where this market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of nine per cent from 2021 to 2026, seeing the greatest growth in the AsiaPacific market,” says Mortlock.

Likewise for Luke Rathbone, Co-Founder of Barbell Foods, the P&C channel is one that has proven to be a great opportunity as consumers become more convenience focused. →

Nuts, jerky, and rice snack sales grew 26.4 per cent in 2023

“Our air-dried steak, aka biltong range is our best performing product. Most brands are targeting South African expats or jerky lovers but we're helping to encourage new customers to the category who don't like jerky or who've never heard of biltong before,” explains Rathbone.

“We've noticed more new customers coming to the salty snack category who are after healthy, on-the-go protein snacks. In this category, meat snacks have traditionally catered to ‘macho men’ but we're seeing more health-conscious customers.

“Our mini meat sticks were recently launched in a range of P&C stores around the country – they’re bite sized and super easy to eat on-the-go and they're also our best value for money product. We also use kangaroo meat in the meat sticks as consumers know this to be a lean and healthy source of protein with a low carbon footprint,” he says.

“It's tempting to follow the crowd, but you've got to be brave enough to know what your brand and product is about so that you appeal to your target customer – if you pretend to be something you're not, consumers will see this.

“All things considered, whatever your product or brand offers, you must aim to maximise the value for your customers. The more value you can provide, the more you will benefit in the long haul.”

Path to purchase

According to Foukkare, there is a pretty even split between males and females who are purchasing snackfoods through the convenience channel, with males making up 55 per cent and females 45 per cent of sales. The generational split is also quite evenly distributed – so how can retailers capture the widest range of shoppers?

When offering advice to retailers, Madsen from Trumps Foods says that consumers are always looking for new and innovative snacking options, and trial and experimentation will be driven through the P&C channel.

“The salty snack remains as the constant go-to in the P&C sector, whether it be in a convenience size or the larger home consumption packs.”

- Soren Madsen, National Account Manager, Trumps Foods

“P&C is such an important space as online shopping continues to be popular for major retailers; the speed to market on more impulse/portioned convenience sized products will be more driven in the P&C channel more than ever.

“Smaller portion control packs need to be located near the POS to be effective, with grab-and-go in those ready meal/on-the-go alternatives as an added/impulse sale, and the medium to larger packs within the baked/fried chip/dried meats section should typically be on a gondola,” he advises.

“In 2024, suppliers should focus on exciting new developments to remain fresh and relevant in that salty space. Continuing to put the same nuts and mixes in a bag are no longer sufficient to keep shelf space – we may see collaborative combinations driving that impulse sale.”

With new products and limited-edition releases constantly hitting the market, APCO’s Faulkhead has given us these insights into what drives decisions when choosing which salty snacks to range in-store.

“The last 12 months have shown that flavours that are really different from the traditional snacking chip flavours have been strong NPD performers. I think it’s important for suppliers to continue to drive their social media marketing to generate hype on NPD, but ensure it is timed in-line with when the product is actually available for purchase in-store.

“Price is still going to be incredibly important as we move through the rest of 2024, and I think price is going to be a really big consideration for shoppers in our stores.” ■

Barbell's air-dried steak is enticing new customers to the category

The future forecourt

From anti fuel theft technology to fast EV charging stations, and advancements in digital signage, there are many ways for retailers to move their forecourt into the future.

Words

Deb Jackson

ACROSS AUSTRALIA, PETROL and convenience (P&C) retailers are embracing technology to improve efficiency and security on the forecourt, adding value to their customers and improving their bottom line.

Fuel is the most expensive and high-risk product that petrol stations offer. It is also one of the smallest profit margin products, so even small losses can have a big impact.

Petrol theft is costing Australian retailers as much as $82 million annually and this is on the rise according to SenSen, whose Scancam technology uses artificial intelligence to help prevent theft at the bowser.

Scancam stands out as SenSen’s flagship product for the convenience sector due to its effectiveness in preventing fuel theft. It has grown fast, and over the last two months there has been 38 per cent growth in new orders, facilitating the recovery of more than $2.5m for retailers, including 7-Eleven, Ampol, bp, Caltex, EG, Liberty, Metro, OTR, Puma, S24, United and Vibe.

The Scancam system scans license plates as vehicles approach the fuel pump. Within seconds, it alerts the operator if the motorist is a known offender who should not be allowed to post-pay. Additionally, Scancam displays license plate information prominently on-site to ensure motorists know they’re being monitored and to deter opportunistic driveoffs. If a drive-off occurs without payment, Scancam generates an incident report, including video footage, with minimal management follow-up.

“Scancam directly addresses fuel theft, protecting retailers’ profits. Its rapid installation and seamless integration with existing workflows make it easy for retailers to adopt. The automated report process

minimises management effort, ensuring key personnel can focus on customer service,” said a SenSen spokesperson.

“One thing that’s important to note is that Scancam benefits from what we call the Network Effect. The more stores that have Scancam installed the more data will be available for the AI to leverage, and the system’s ability to operate in real-time and identify likely cases of fuel theft before they occur will be enhanced.

“This then becomes a valued service and source of data for police, too, making overall engagement between police and the stores more effective.”

More than a pit stop

As demand for electric vehicles grows in Australia, so to does the need for petrol retailers to invest in EV charging technology in their forecourts.

Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) says that there is no doubt that EV charging will have a role to play over the longer term for the industry, and the positioning of charging equipment will vary by retailer, being either close to the shop or as far away as possible so as not to disrupt the flow of where the volume of fuel customers are.

He also notes that EVs will form only one part of the future energy types available to consumers, commercial transport, and heavy industry. Biofuels, zero-emission fuel options, and hydrogen are also seeing significant investment both globally and in Australia.

“We are seeing various models of this play out globally and I believe that there is a lot more to be understood in this area prior to the right approach coming to fruition,” he says.

“The major retailers in our channel are focused on delivering fast charging experiences on their forecourts and mobility hubs, as this is what the on-the-go Australian consumer needs and now expects, along with great food, clean bathrooms, a place to sit and relax while they recharge themselves and their vehicles.”

David Hewett, Co-founder and CEO, Airtec Corporation, agrees that with EV technology, service stations will evolve into comprehensive rest stops, offering a wide range of amenities for customers during longer stops while their vehicles charge.

“I think there are P&C channels striving to harness the latest technology to elevate customer experiences. However, considering the vast array of available technologies, it's evident that some advancements remain untapped within the P&C channel,” says Hewett.

Airtec specialises in offering cutting-edge equipment tailored for the P&C channel, including advanced digital tyre inflation units for forecourts. Specifically engineered for the service and gas station sector, Airtec’s units not only elevate corporate branding but also ensure customers receive precise, reliable tyre inflation safely.

“Our top-performing products within the P&C channel are our FEP and FRP freestanding inflation units. Tailored for Australian service and petrol stations, these units are customisable to reflect any corporate branding, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance,” explains Hewett.

“At Airtec, we're excited to announce our upcoming innovation tailored for the P&C channel: a cutting-edge digital tyre inflation unit designed to cater to both car and bike tyres seamlessly. This versatile unit features a specialised bicycle inflation hose equipped with a twin head chuck, catering specifically to Presta/Dunlop or Schrader valves commonly found on bicycle tyres. With this development, cyclists can now safely and conveniently inflate their tyres, fulfilling a longawaited need in the market.”

Digital signage

Moving away from fuel and EV charging technology, there are also opportunities for P&C retailers to communicate and engage with their customers through digital signage on the forecourt, opening potential new revenue streams.

Anthony Irwin, Product Manager, Hardware and Fujivision Photo Imaging Division at Fujifilm Australia, explains how Fujivision offers a full-service digital signage solution for the convenience industry.

“Given our large footprint across various imaging areas, our point of difference is that we offer a complete solution, from project scoping, brand agnostic hardware sourcing using our volume

“From daily specials and product focus areas through to supplier advertising, digital signage is a great way to quickly and effectively talk to your customers.”

- Anthony Irwin, Product Manager, Hardware and Fujivision Photo Imaging Division, Fujifilm Australia

pricing, industry leading cloud CMS with integrated analytics abilities through to an internal support team,” he explains.

“We help to communicate the messages that retailers want to deliver. From daily specials and product focus areas through to supplier advertising, digital signage is a great way to quickly and effectively talk to your customers. This creates a more positive shopping experience that will keep them coming back. Having the ability to run a coffee special in the morning, lunch offers, snacks in the afternoon, through to dinner can all be scheduled ahead of time and pushed to multiple screens from a single PC through our cloud software.”

Within the P&C channel, LED banners are a top performing product category for Fujifilm. These are thin banners ideally suited to the top of fridges, or shelf displays and can be linked together to allow for cohesive messaging around the store.

But beyond this, Irwin says that outdoor signage is a great opportunity for retailers who have traditionally relied on static posters.

“Outdoor signage can be incorporated into the petrol pricing main signage, placed on columns and shop windows to optimise the available real estate to display targeted messages that can change depending on the time/day of the week to appeal to customers on the forecourt at that time,” he says.

Fujifilm has a new technology transparent LED product that it is excited to be launching. This offers the ability to cover whole shop windows into space where images can be displayed, while keeping light coming into the store.

“There is a great opportunity to sell the space on these new screens to suppliers to offset the cost of the signage and have a long-term additional revenue stream for business owners. Having your own screen network means you keep full control over what information is displayed, so you can talk to your local audience to boost presence in your community and gain more repeat business,” says Irwin. →

Fujivision offers various digital signage options

“We have to also consider some of the more radical opportunities like drone delivery hubs for recharging and dispatch and delivery bots that use the forecourt as a base to deliver to the local community.”

- Theo Foukkare, CEO, AACS

Having travelled through Europe and the US in recent years, Foukkare has observed that Australia still has some way to go when it comes to the implementation of retail media on fuel pump technology that integrates digital display, prepay for fuel and ordering shop items using the digital screen.

“These are widely used in many countries globally however in Australia their use is more limited. The major retailers are investing in loyalty programs using proprietary apps to be able to deliver personalised consumer offers based on preferences as well as the ability to prepay and purchase shop items from your device,” he says.

One such retailer is 7-Eleven whose My 7-Eleven App enhances its offer for customers both inside the store and outside on the forecourt by providing customers with options that can save them time and money.

Paul Wallace, Area Lead - Digital at 7-Eleven, says: “My 7-Eleven App has Pay & Go functionality, which is active in all stores. This feature removes payment friction by skipping the traditional Point of Sale Checkout.

“The My 7-Eleven App Fuel Price Lock feature allows our customers to search for the best price at the five closest 7-Eleven stores to their current location, and then to lock that price in to use at any 7-Eleven fuel store in Australia for the next seven days for a maximum saving of 25 cents per litre.”

7-Eleven is just one example of a retailer that is using apps well, but AACS’s Foukkare believes there is still a greater opportunity for retailers in this space.

“There are strong arguments of pay at the pump/ app vs pay in-store – but my view is that retailers should allow the fuel only customers to pay outside

allowing customers who want to shop to have more space and dwell time in-store while also freeing up labour to focus on customer service.

“Retailers are also investing in the adoption of various AI technology to support their compliance requirements from a health and safety perspective as well as cleaning schedules. The other area of investment is in automatic number plate recognition as a vehicle to address the growing cost of fuel drive offs.”

Looking ahead

Foukkare says that there are lots of opportunities for the forecourt in the future, from being a mobility hub to hire/drop off e-bikes and rental cars, to a place to be able to test drive a new EV as some brands don’t have any (or many) showrooms to do this.

“We will see a merging of multiple food brands into convenience retail formats either via brand partnerships with well-known QSRs or through the development of private label brands.

“Aussie’s love their drive-through options and we are starting to see a lot more investment into the rollout of drive-through across the convenience retail channel. This will need careful planning for all new build or renovated stores as traffic flow from the drive-throughs has the potential to build unnecessary traffic for all other customers.

“Over the years we have also seen Amazon and Australia Post Parcel delivery and pickup boxes some and go, perhaps they were ahead of their time, and they might have a role to play in the future.

“We have to also consider some of the more radical opportunities like drone delivery hubs for recharging and dispatch and delivery bots that use the forecourt as a base to deliver to the local community. We are seeing this around the world however currently its use is still very limited and targeted in high density living areas.”

So, from anti fuel theft technology to fast EV charging stations, QSRs and advancements in digital signage, there are many ways for retailers to move their forecourt into the future. ■

Yours Truly delivers Black Forest bliss

choice

Seed-sational new bars from Go Natural

Introducing Go Natural’s latest innovation. Go Natural’s Whole Seed Protein Bars have been crafted to nourish the body with the goodness of real, whole foods.

Available in two delectable flavours, cranberry almond and blueberry almond, each bar packs a powerful punch with 10g of plant-based protein as well as containing iron, magnesium and vitamin E minerals.

Go Natural believes that eating well is the cornerstone of living well.

Try the Go Natural Whole Seed Protein Bars today and experience the natural goodness that fuels the journey to wellness. With every bite, customers can savour the taste of real ingredients carefully selected to support their active lifestyle.

Unlock the energy of nature’s bounty and elevate your snack game with these Whole Seed Protein Bars. A tasty, nutritious choice for healthconscious individuals who refuse to compromise on flavour or quality.

Available at The Distributors 1800 989 022. www.the-distributors.com.au.

The C&I Choice for this issue is the delicious Black Forest by Yours Truly Chocolates. Crafted with passion in a family-run factory in South Australia, the chocolate is a fusion of tradition and innovation, offering a luxurious treat that is both gluten-free and vegan-friendly.

The base of the Black Forest is Yours Truly’s premium dark chocolate, known for its smooth texture and rich cocoa flavour. This decadent foundation sets the stage for a star-studded medley of toppings that transform each bite into an unforgettable experience.

Central to the allure of this chocolate block are the roasted pistachios. Lightly toasted to enhance their natural flavours, these pistachios provide a satisfying crunch and the subtle, earthy notes complement the rich cocoa, creating a balanced and harmonious flavour profile.

Adding to this intricate blend are the dried cranberries. These little bursts of tartness introduce a bright, fruity dimension to the chocolate. Their tangy flavour is a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of the dark chocolate, ensuring a well-rounded taste with every bite.

Finally, the cranberry crumb. This topping not only amplifies the berry flavour but also adds a stunning visual appeal. The vibrant pink crumb against the dark chocolate creates a striking contrast, making this chocolate look as beautiful as it is delicious.

For a comprehensive exploration of the range, reach out to Tony Tantis at Yours Truly Chocolates: tony@yourstrulychocolates.com.au.

Nostalgic brand bringing sweet success

Swizzels Love Hearts and Fizzers are nostalgic products amongst Australians, with over 70 years of heritage. They are making a comeback in stores all over Australia and for very good reason.

CTC Australia has recently unveiled them in a new pack format. The new 120g pack format contains the sweets in mini rolls which makes them versatile for many occasions including birthday parties, lolly party bag fillers, special celebrations, Valentine’s Day, road trips, gifts, weddings, baby showers, parties, lunchboxes, and of course Halloween.

Share the love with Love Hearts, these delicious love heart shaped, fizzy, fruity sweets carry a unique heart felt message or emoji in edible ink. Every year Swizzels releases new messages of love, positivity, and kindness.

Swizzels Fizzers are the Original compressed, fizzy candy sweet. Every pack of Fizzers contains six fruity flavours: exotic pineapple, tangy lemon, sweet orange, sour cherry, refreshing lime and delicious blackcurrant.

These brands are driving strong sales growth as consumers seek out trusted brands made from the highest quality ingredients - the perfect treat.

Retailers, make sure you stock up for customers looking for that trusted, favourite treat, perfect for on-the-go sweet snacking.

To stock, contact CTC Australia at sales@ctcaustralia.com or call (02) 9743 8631.

Experience the future of connectivity with Vodafone

Vodafone SIM cards offer a seamless mobile experience that combines cutting-edge technology with sustainability.

With Vodafone, you're not just getting a SIM card – you're tapping into a world-class mobile network that's owned and operated by Vodafone itself. Say hello to lightning-fast speeds with Vodafone's 5G network, now available in selected areas of over 3000 suburbs across Australia. In fact, Vodafone boasts the biggest 5G network globally, ensuring you stay connected wherever you go.

Worried about coverage? Don't be. Vodafone's extensive network covers 96 per cent of the Australian population, so you can enjoy crystal-clear calls and reliable data wherever life takes you. Plus, with all Vodafone SIMs being 5G enabled, you'll be future-proofing your mobile experience.

But that's not all. Vodafone is committed to sustainability, with their new ECO SIM card range crafted from 100 per cent recycled plastic. So, you can stay connected while reducing your environmental footprint.

And when it comes to flexibility, Vodafone has you covered. Their prepaid products offer the freedom to choose short or long-term recharges, with options ranging from 10 days to 365 days. Whether you need a quick top-up or long-lasting connectivity, Vodafone has the perfect plan for you.

Experience the future of mobile connectivity with Vodafone SIM cards – fast, reliable, and eco-friendly. Join the Vodafone family today and stay connected with confidence.

Wood Fired Coffee Iced hits the market

From its humble beginnings, Northern Beaches Coffee Roasters, a family owned and operated business located in the northern beaches of Sydney, Australia, has grown from a small local cult following to fast becoming a staple on consumer shelves and homes throughout Australia.

To customers’ delight, the business has launched a new range, Wood Fired Coffee Iced. It is available in three flavours: Sparkling Espresso, Caffe Latte, and Espresso.

Freshly brewed using traditional heat extraction on their signature slow roasted Wood Fired Coffee beans, they use a unique chilling process to ensure full-bodied richness and a balanced finish, offering bittersweet chocolate and a touch of malt.

The unique slow roast Wood Fired Coffee Iced process is a strong point of difference and sales driver in a category where innovation is limited, and consumers are looking for something new.

For enquiries, please contact coffee@northernbeachescoffeeroasters.com.au.

U-Haul Australia’s new 3.5 tonne car carriers

For retailers looking to make extra money simply by filling empty car spaces, U-Haul Australia has an innovative solution.

In addition to Local and Oneway Trailer hires, U-Haul have introduced a new 3.5 tonne car carrier that has the capacity to carry a heavier load, including most 4WDs and muscle cars, that standard car carriers can’t handle and it doesn't require electronic brakes.

As one of Australia’s most trusted trailer, ute, and lawnmower hire organisations in the country, U-Haul provides retailers with a near effortless way of earning extra money through offering up their empty car park spaces for customers to hire trailers.

For more information on becoming an agent, retailers are encouraged to contact Wayne Miller, National Business Manager at U-Haul Australia on wayne.miller@uhaul.com.au or on 0423 050 592.

Changing the way Australians eat with ready meals

Delicious plant-based and macro-optimised ready meals range with Soulara and Macros.

AS CONSUMERS ARE increasingly prioritising quick and nutritious meals, Soulara and Macros are redefining the way we consume food. As two leading Australian ready-made meal brands, they’ve recently joined forces under v2food, bringing a delicious and diverse range of plant-based and macrooptimised meals.

Soulara is Australia’s favourite plant-based ready meal service, making the plant-based diet easy, accessible, and fun. Specialising in vibrant and flavourful dishes, each meal is carefully balanced to provide maximum nutrition with farm fresh ingredients and healthy whole foods. Table-ready in just three minutes, Soulara is perfect for busy eaters looking for a delicious plant-based meal on the go.

Macros ready-made meals boost a selection of over 45 meals spanning 15 cuisines, ensuring a diverse diet that doesn’t skimp on convenience or taste. With macro-optimised meals using quality ingredients, it’s the perfect way to enjoy delicious and healthy versions of all your favourite dishes. Tailored for everyone from the fitness enthusiast to the busy professional, Macros meals are about enjoying healthy eating with zero hassle.

More than just meals, Soulara and Macros both offer a range of nutrient-rich snacks, bites, and juices. From protein bars to kombucha, these products are the perfect inventory items for shoppers looking to grab a healthy bite or post work-out treat.

Together, Soulara and Macros provide a premium selection of ready-made meals that cater to the growing need for convenience, whilst also attracting more health-conscious consumers. With something to please every palate, this range helps to position convenience stores as go-to destinations for quality, nutritious meals on the go.

Nathaniel Tupou, General Manager ANZ from v2food, emphasises the importance of providing a well-rounded menu for consumers seeking a plant-based, healthy lifestyle.

“The trend around convenience is not going away, and as more consumers look to reduce their meat intake we expect that consumers’ demand for quality, tasty nutritionally balanced plant-based meals will increase.

“Through Macros and Soulara, we can offer a versatile, delicious range that suits these changing dietary preferences.”

- Nathaniel Tupou, General Manager ANZ, v2food

“Through Macros and Soulara, we can offer a versatile, delicious range that suits these changing dietary preferences.”

Soulara and Macros’ recent acquisition under v2food marks a significant milestone for the expansion of healthier, plant-based eating solutions. v2food, Australia’s leader in plantbased protein products, aims to enhance its portfolio with Soulara’s vegetable-based meals and Macros’ goal-oriented dishes to create a comprehensive range that addresses the entire spectrum of consumer needs around plantbased diets.

In addition to its direct-to-consumer presence at soulara.com.au and Macros.com.au, the products can be purchased in-store at leading retailers such as selected Coles, IGA, and Woolworths.

Receive $20 off your next order by using the discount code ‘C&I20’. Redeem by contacting Almin (Head of Sales) at 0431 114 569 or almin.azeem@flexmeals.com.au

Make the switch to plastic free with CleanLIFE

Introducing a plastic free and certified flushable solution to wet wipes.

“CleanLIFE is Australia’s specialist wet wipe range, providing plasticfree solutions for everyday use around the home and for personal use.”

WHILE CLEANLIFE KNOW that wet wipes make life convenient, until now they have not done much for the planet in the long term.

Traditional plastic wipes pose a significant environmental threat, contributing over a staggering 25,000 tonnes of plastic to Australian landfills annually. Worse still, they degrade into harmful microplastics, posing risks to wildlife, human health, and the environment at large. Recognising the urgent need for change, CleanLIFE has stepped up.

CleanLIFE is Australia’s specialist wet wipe range, providing plastic-free solutions for everyday use around the home and for personal use. At its manufacturing facility located in Woodville North in South Australia, they are leading the change by producing plastic free, biodegradable, and certified flushable wipes.

CleanLIFE has been able to achieve this by working alongside dermatologists, scientists, engineers, and the water authorities to produce high-quality Australian Made and plastic free wet wipes.

Using Australian purified water in all CleanLIFE wipes gives confidence and certainty that no foreign nasties are in the wipes used around families and in homes. Besides the quality of water, they use Australian ingredients, native oils, and extracts to give the CleanLIFE range a unique difference in the fragrances and benefits offered with every wipe.

From baby to skin to kitchen to loo, CleanLIFE has a wipe solution for everyone! A tailored range to cover almost every surface, there is no reason why customers can’t make the switch today.

For all enquiries, please contact enquiries@jcsm.com.au. Available through The Distributors Group and Metcash.

Paracetamol pack sizes are changing in Australia

Paracetamol, the active ingredient in Panadol, is the most widely sold systemic pain relief in Australia1 and continues to be suitable for 98% of Australian adults.2

Panadol pack sizes will change in line with the new scheduling. Panadol pack transition will commence from October 2024.

We are focused on ensuring continued supply availability and a smooth transition to the new pack formats.

As we approach the change, Haleon will continue to provide communication with: – details of new pack sizes and associated data – up to date product transition dates.

For more information, please speak with your Haleon representative or call customer service on 1800 251 905.

Retailers

Tiko – Jet and USB lighter specialist

Play anywhere, anytime with Peak Energy Gum

Peak Energy Gum is revolutionising the energy product market by offering the power of a standard energy drink in a convenient, portable form.

Crafted to help you maintain your best self, Peak Energy Gum delivers a swift boost in energy and focus, making it the ideal choice for anyone looking to excel. Each serve delivers a precise dose of energising ingredients, ensuring you get exactly what you need without any fillers or unnecessary extras. With two pieces equating to one energy drink and seven servings per bottle, you have a week’s worth of energy at your fingertips. Embrace the future of energy –anytime, anywhere with Peak Energy Gum.

For more information about Peak Energy Gum please speak to your Peleguy representative on 1300 377 341, orders@peleguy.com.au or visit www.peleguy.com.au.

Introduced over a decade ago, Tiko lighters have left a lasting impression on the market and are now Australia's go-to brand for jet and USB lighters. The driving force behind Tiko's lighter concept is a commitment to offering customers cutting-edge products. Crafted from premium materials and top-of-theline components, each Tiko Jet and USB lighter guarantees reliability and sustainability, aligning with ecoconscious values.

The Tiko range offers a wide selection of options to cater to various preferences. From wind proof to robust single-jet models to powerful two, three, and four-jet variations, the refillable Jet lighters offer versatility and performance. The rechargeable USB lighters use advanced coil technology and, in their premium selections, dual Arc technology, ensuring maximum functionality. Some USB Arc models come with a waterproof case and a torch.

Arriving soon in Australia, the latest additions to the highly popular TK1002 single jet lighter series – Doodles, Graffiti 2 and Skulls – are ready to make their debut. These additions to the family promise to become favourites due to their superior performance and stunning design.

With over 100 models available, Tiko caters to a wide range of tastes and needs. Whether it's the sleek designs, premium styles, or superior quality, Tiko lighters appeal to consumers from various backgrounds, from casual campers to discerning chefs to ambitious entrepreneurs.

Based in Victoria, Tiko serves customers nationwide through stores and distributors across Australia, with Peleguy Distribution holding the exclusive importation rights and ownership of the brand.

For more information about Tiko products please speak to your Peleguy representative on 1300 377 341, orders@peleguy.com.au or visit www.peleguy.com.au.

“The diversity of our retail visitors ensures that your brand not only gets noticed but remembered, paving the way for new business ventures and market expansion.”

– Safa de Valois

The secret behind the C&I Expo’s success

How attending the C&I Expo is a win-win for suppliers and retailers in the convenience industry.

Words Safa de Valois, Group Publisher, C&I Media

WE’RE HARD AT work preparing another fantastic C&I Expo, in Melbourne this October, so I’ve been thinking a great deal lately on what makes it so successful. The C&I Expo is, without a doubt, an unparalleled opportunity for suppliers and retailers alike, and it’s time we recognise the tremendous value this event brings to the industry. For suppliers in, or trying to crack, the impulse market, C&I Expo isn’t just another trade show; it’s the premier stage to unveil the latest innovations and groundbreaking products that will shape the future of retail. Imagine the impact of showcasing your offerings to a diverse audience that includes independent grocers, convenience stores, petrol stations, corner shops, and the foodservice sector - all under one roof.

Suppliers, consider this: C&I Expo is your golden ticket to connect directly with key decisionmakers. This isn’t just about setting up a booth; it’s about engaging with potential buyers through hands-on demonstrations and personalised presentations. It’s a rare chance to build meaningful relationships, understand customer needs firsthand, and receive immediate, invaluable feedback. The diversity of our retail visitors ensures that your brand not only gets noticed but remembered, paving the way for new business ventures and market expansion. Plus, being part of such a high-profile event significantly boosts your brand’s visibility and credibility, positioning you as a leader in the industry.

Retailers, attending the C&I Expo is nothing short of essential if you’re serious about staying ahead in the competitive retail landscape. This event is your gateway to discovering the freshest trends and innovations tailored specifically for the impulse market and beyond. We know you are time-poor and understaffed, so consider the advantages of exploring a vast array of new products and services through live demonstrations and hands-on experiences in a single day. This isn’t passive observation; it’s active discovery, allowing you to make informed purchasing decisions that could transform your business.

The C&I Expo is a powerhouse of knowledge, offering morning Symposium sessions with presentations from the industry’s leading minds. Retailers gain exclusive insights into market trends and attitudes, best practices, and emerging technologies that can elevate their operations and enhance customer experience. Networking with suppliers and industry peers over two days further enriches the experience, fostering partnerships that can drive real growth and innovation. In essence, the C&I Expo is not just an event; it’s a catalyst for growth and innovation for both suppliers and retailers. It’s the meeting place where connections are made, ideas are born, and the future of convenience retail is shaped. So, whether you’re looking to exhibit or attend, make sure you’re a part of this transformative experience. Your business’s next big breakthrough could be just an expo away. ■

20-21 Nov 2024 | Due Drop Events Centre, Auckland

Exhibiting at C&I NZ EXPO gives you a presence at the only FMCG event that delivers:

A trade show purely focused on Convenience & Impulse and Independent Grocery Retailing

Access to motivated high-quality buyers

Exposure for independent operators who may not be receiving adequate representation

The opportunity to meet reps from corporate and independent chains

C&I NZ EXPO is devoted specifically to the needs of convenience retail owners and operators, where retailers and suppliers will gather for two days of information sharing, education, discovery, and networking. If you are, or hope to be, a convenience supplier then you want to talk to our audience of:

service stations

convenience stores/dairies/corner stores newsagents

mini marts

independent grocery take-aways/hospitality venues

To secure your stand for the trade event of 2024

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Embarking on the AI Journey: Where to Start?

In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a luxury but a necessity for businesses and individuals aiming to stay competitive and innovative.

“Starting to adopt AI may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, resources, and mindset, it can be a rewarding and transformative experience for you and your business.”

– Jason Joukhador

WHILE THE CONCEPT of AI may seem daunting and complex, getting started doesn't have to be overwhelming. Here are my top three simple tips to kickstart your journey:

1. Getting Familiar with AI Platforms:

One of the first steps in embracing AI is getting acquainted with the platforms and tools that make it accessible and user-friendly. You can gain practical experience with AI technologies, such as machine learning models, natural language processing, and computer vision. These platforms provide easy and practical learning opportunities, allowing you to build, train, and deploy AI models without requiring extensive technical expertise or coding skills.

Most people are aware of ChatGPT which can be used free by signing up with an account and an obvious starting point. I would also suggest exploring Microsoft’s Copilot and Googles Gemini as great starting places. These platforms provide a safe and engaging environment to experience the power of AI firsthand. Don't be afraid to experiment; play around with prompts, ask questions, and see what kind of responses you get and which platform suits you best.

2. Research and Continuous Learning:

The vast resources of the internet are your greatest ally in learning about AI to expand your knowledge, stay updated on the latest trends, developments, and gain insights from industry experts and thought leaders. Here are some simple ways to quench your thirst for knowledge: YouTube: A treasure trove of AI-related content exists on YouTube. If the video is too long, putting

it on 1.5x speed is a helpful tip and an easy way to consume content on the go.

Social Media: Follow prominent AI researchers, influencers and companies to discover valuable content, and engage in conversations about AI innovations, applications, and best practices.

The Web: Renowned institutions like MIT, Stanford, research blogs by DeepMind and OpenAI publish insightful articles, research papers, and reports on various AI applications and advancements.

3. Give It a Go – Start Small and Be Consistent:

Set Time Aside Every Week: Adopting AI is a journey, not a destination. Allocate dedicated time each week to explore, learn, and experiment with AI technologies. Whether it's interacting with a chatbot, analysing data, or implementing AIpowered tools, starting small and being consistent in your efforts can lead to significant progress and growth over time. In order to do this you need to embrace a growth mindset, face into challenges, learn from mistakes, and continuously seek opportunities to improve and innovate.

Starting to adopt AI may seem daunting at first, but with the right approach, resources, and mindset, it can be a rewarding and transformative experience for you and your business. By getting familiar with AI platforms like ChatGPT, Copilot and Gemini, engaging in continuous research and learning, and taking consistent action by experimenting with AI technologies and embracing a growth mindset, you can pave the way for successful AI adoption. ■

Words Jason Joukhador, GM Merchandise and Dealer Channel, Ampol

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Making the leap from retail to foodservice

Growth in food-to-go continues to build momentum, so how can retailers successfully expand into that territory?

“A small but targeted food offer can be just as profitable as a large one, which often come with larger overheads and higher fit out costs.”

– Michael Brick

FOOD

ON THE GO continues to grow! According to the AACS 2023 State of the Industry report, food sales generated a whopping $1.34 billion for the year. That’s a 12% increase in sales growth!

This presents opportunities for retailers to build a highly profitable and sustainable revenue stream for their business. Listening to Brett Barclay’s presentation at this year’s UCB conference, he stated, “If you aren’t playing in food now, you are five years behind. Food is bringing along a range of other categories with it,” Barclay said.

Operators that haven’t ventured into hot food, tell me they feel like it’s a huge leap to introduce food. And it’s true, food is different.

To succeed and build a loyal customer base, food needs to be fresh and high quality. A variety of menu items need to be on offer that appeal to the customer base. All backed by fast service.

To achieve this, retailers need to do things differently, including the equipment they use and the processes and staff skills they call on. You need to think and act like a food operator, and this is a gap for many retailers.

But it doesn’t have to be hard or challenging when you have the right team behind you.

Investing in the right equipment, that is more automated, and process driven, will allow you to reduce reliance on staff and offer more consistent and better quality food. Utilising outside consultants to formulate processes and procedures can allow for a smooth implementation and more consistent results from the start.

The leap into food doesn’t need to be huge either. A small but targeted food offer can be just

as profitable as a large one, which often come with larger overheads and higher fit out costs. A well thought out small food offer can generate faster pay off, great ROI, increased foot traffic, repeat business, and increased transactional spend. A simple program can start from under $20,000 and have paybacks within months, all with existing staff and minimal interruption to business as usual.

When selecting the right menu offer, sticking to the most popular products is a good place to start. Fried food continues to be the most popular food-to-go product, satisfying the hunger of travellers, local workers, tradies, families, and everyday customers looking for a quick snack or meal. Fried food is the most lucrative category for retailers, offering great margins and is easy to cook.

Transitioning from assisted-serve to self-serve food displays continues to gain traction. It gives the customer time to select the food they want without slowing down other customers and takes the pressure off staff. Technology continues to advance and support the Australian climate, to better maintain the quality of the food, extend shelf life and promote freshness for longer.

If you want to explore expanding into hot food and ensuring you are offering your customers what they are wanting, don’t let ‘the leap’ put you off. There are ways to capitalise on the growing trend of increasing consumer spend on eating out of home, without throwing everything at it and knowing there are people available with the experience to assist you to get there more. ■

Words Michael Brick, Partner and GM, Meris Food Equipment

Embracing Pay at the Pump technology

The new technology is delivering a win-win for fuel retailers and customers alike.

FUEL RETAIL IS fiercely competitive, and innovation is key to staying ahead. Fuel station owners grapple with challenges ranging from operational costs to meeting customer demands for extended service hours. However, solutions like Pay at the Pump technology offer a strategic pathway to address these challenges while enhancing customer satisfaction and boosting revenue streams.

Pay at the Pump isn't just a technological advancement; it's a strategic move towards maximising revenue yield management. By streamlining the fuelling process, Pay at the Pump significantly increases throughput and reduces customer wait times. Studies show that Pay at the Pump transactions can be up to 30 per cent faster than traditional in-store payments, signifying a substantial improvement in operational efficiency.

One primary advantage of Pay at the Pump is its ability to cater to low-spend customers without hindering highervalue transactions. This seamless and frictionless payment experience reduces site congestion and potential revenue loss while ensuring efficient service for every customer.

Moreover, Pay at the Pump enhances customer satisfaction by providing a convenient and personalised fuelling experience. Customers no longer need to wait in line or interact with station employees, leading to increased loyalty. Fuel retailers can engage customers long after transactions through tailored promotions and updates, fostering brand loyalty and encouraging repeat business.

From a business perspective, the benefits extend beyond customer satisfaction. By reducing labour costs for fuel-only transactions and integrating with loyalty programs, fuel retailers optimize operational efficiency and drive higher overall sales.

Furthermore, Pay at the Pump enhances security by reducing the risk of fraud, providing peace of mind for retailers and customers alike. This, coupled with convenience and efficiency, positions fuel retailers for success in a competitive market landscape.

In line with this innovation, Gilbarco Veeder-Root introduces the Invenco by GVR FlexPay 6 A2-09 payment solution. This system revolutionizes the fuelling industry with unparalleled security, flexibility, and user experience. Compliant with EMV and PCI requirements, it features a user-friendly interface, quick transactions, and supports various payment methods. Its modular design ensures future-proof flexibility, seamlessly integrating with Gilbarco Veeder-Root's suite of solutions, maximizing efficiency for retailers.

Embracing Pay at the Pump technology and revolutionary payment solutions offers fuel retailers a host of benefits, from increased throughput to enhanced customer satisfaction and market expansion. It's time for retailers to embrace these solutions, propelling their businesses towards a brighter future while meeting the evolving needs of their customers.

Bp to acquire X Convenience petrol stations

Bp HAS ENTERED into a deal to acquire X Convenience and its network of over 50 sites in South Australia and Western Australia for an undisclosed sum.

Frédéric Baudry, President bp Australia and Senior Vice President of Mobility, Convenience, and Midstream, Asia Pacific, said the acquisition would enable bp to tap into X Convenience’s local knowledge and convenience expertise.

“This is an exciting day for bp and X Convenience, as we look to bring together two amazing businesses. We look forward to completing this transaction, integrating a high-quality network and learning from the X Convenience team, leveraging offers that resonate so well with their customers.”

Established in 2006 by the Kosmidis family, X Convenience has a range of in-store food offerings, including Coffee Stations, Burger X, Dessert X, and Down Dog ‘N Shakes.

“We’re making our commitment to South Australia clear, by investing in the expansion of our network throughout the state. Through X Convenience and our brilliant partners, bp will provide quality fuel, convenience and card offers to our South Australian and national fleet customers, as we have for decades,” said Baudry.

The proposed acquisition comes hot on the heels of Viva Energy acquiring OTR Group for $1.2 billion earlier this year. As part of the deal, Viva agreed to sell 25 Coles Express sites in South Australia to Chevron.

The acquisition of X Convenience is subject to customary approvals, but should it go ahead, it would expand bp’s network nationally and support bp’s global strategy to double the number of its strategic convenience sites between 2019-2030.

Steven Kosmidis, Director of X Convenience, said he is excited for this next chapter of the business as bp continues to build the X Convenience network and deliver for its customers.

Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania announces new CCO

“He is a true Suntorian who will be a key driver in bringing the best of Suntory to Oceania.”

- Darren Fullerton, CEO, Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania

BRAD ERCEG HAS been appointed Chief Commercial Officer of Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania, as the company prepares to launch Suntory Oceania.

Erceg has been with Suntory for 18 years in various roles such as General Manager New Zealand and Sales Director New Zealand. Once the company launches its new $3 billion Suntory Oceania partnership in mid-2025, Erceg will have stewardship of over 40 market leading brands.

Darren Fullerton, CEO of Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania, said Erceg’s appointment to Chief Commercial Officer and his arrival as an Executive Leadership Team member is a testament to his talent, leadership capability and future potential beyond Commercial.

“His leadership skills and commercial acumen are well known inside and outside of Suntory, and he brings a fresh approach to navigating complexity while delivering growth for the business, its culture and people. He is a true Suntorian who will be a key driver in bringing the best of Suntory to Oceania.”

Erceg said it was privilege to step forward and lead the team through this transformation as they continue to deliver for their customers.

“We have a clear vision of how Suntory can disrupt and ignite the beverage category across Australia and New Zealand.”

Brad Erceg, new Chief Commercial Officer of Suntory Beverage and Food Oceania

The Kosmidis family established X Convenience in 2006

7-Eleven opens 60th store in Western Australia

7-ELEVEN HAS OPENED a new store in Withers, WA, bringing the total number of stores in the state to 60, with a team of over 750.

Since launching in WA ten years ago, the company has invested over $60 million in growing its network, which Nicholas Maddox, 7-Eleven Area Lead – South, says is part of the company’s ongoing commitment to provide West Australians with access to the same choice and convenience available on the Eastern Seaboard.

“Our investment includes stores across metropolitan Perth, and seven stores in the South-West including Withers. We will continue to invest in growing in Perth as well as expand our network in regional Western Australia.

“7-Eleven Australia provides its customers with the traditional convenience items, fuel and essentials they expect. In addition, our

food offer is something we are famous for. We want to continue to lead the market in food on the go as we work with our new owners

7-Eleven International and leverage their expertise in this area,” said Maddox.

7-Eleven Withers has an extensive food offering as well as highquality Mobil fuels and customers can use the My 7-Eleven App including the fuel price lock feature.

“People can grab their favourite products and fill up at any time 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have food and convenience options including 7-Eleven’s handmade sandwiches, wraps and Krispy Kreme doughnuts, as well as 7-Eleven’s freshly ground Fairtrade Certified coffee, Slurpee including Slurpee No Sugar options and our frozen blended Smoothies, Frappes and Shakes.”

Ampol Foodary introduces new coffee loyalty program

AMPOL FOODARY HAS launched a new coffee loyalty program and added a number of new products to its heated food range.

The new coffee loyalty program will see customers who buy four coffees and/or hot beverages able to redeem their fifth coffee or hot beverage of regular size for free at participating Ampol Foodary stores nationwide where barista or push-button machine coffee is available.

Jenny O’Regan, Chief Brand Officer at Ampol, said they are confident that this passion for Foodary coffee from customers will continue with this new loyalty program.

“Our customers love the coffee at our Ampol Foodary stores, and we want to reward them for their loyalty.

“Our customers have such a strong affinity for Foodary coffee as bold, full of flavour, and setting a positive tone for the rest of their day.”

Ampol Foodary will also be adding a range of new private label products to its heated food range across 54 stores from early June, including the Foodary Lasagna Toppa and Foodary Cheese Potato Bites.

“The Foodary Lasagna Toppa and the Foodary Cheese Potato Bites are oven-baked and ready to be enjoyed while on the go. Our merchandise team have developed the new delicious heated food range, which we are sure our customers will love,” said O’Regan.

The Foodary Lasagna Toppa is made with New Zealand beef mince, cooked in a rich Bolognese sauce, topped with pasta and cheese, and encased in a golden crumb. It will retail for $4.50.

The Foodary Cheese Potato Bites are croquette-like snacks that come in eight pieces and will retail for $5.00.

Ampol Foodary customers who purchase four coffees or hote beverages will receive their fifth for free.

Because What’s Inside Matters!

The Clereflo™ Range of Oil Water Separators by Envirotank

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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.

Ampol to provide benefits to Volkswagen EV drivers

AMPOL AND VOLKSWAGEN have struck a deal that will see Volkswagen EV customers receive deals both at home and on the road.

The agreement will mean Volkswagen customers gain access to Ampol’s AmpCharge home EV charging offer and discounts at its public EV charging stations nationwide.

Brent Merrick, Ampol Executive General Manager, Commercial Fuels and Energy, said they’re proud to partner with Volkswagen Australia and excited to work alongside them to provide charging infrastructure for the rollout of their EV range of vehicles.

“This collaboration with Volkswagen Australia represents another step forward in our continuing e-mobility strategy which is designed to provide a diverse and comprehensive charging network to power customer journeys in the home, forecourt or locations where they need to charge.”

Volkswagen ID. customers will receive discounted Ampol public EV charging rates for the first 12 months of ownership, with rates to be determined closer to the launch. Volkswagen will then share dealer and customer insights to inform key locations in Ampol’s fast-charging rollout. Ampol will also allow Volkswagen ID. customers to colour-code their AmpCharge home charger to their ID. vehicle, provided with a nationwide installation service and five-year warranty.

NPD transfers ownership to CEO Barry Sheridan

NEW ZEALAND FUEL distributor NPD has successfully transferred its ownership from founding family members Barry Milne and Pauline Field to CEO and shareholder Barry Sheridan.

The transition of ownership to the Nelson-based management team ensures that NPD continues to be New Zealand-owned and operated, while maintaining continuity and stability as Sheridan has been part of the management team for many years.

Facilitated by PwC, the ownership transfer was said to be a smooth transition, preserving NPD’s identity, culture, and family values that the company was built on.

Craig Armitage, Partner at PwC, said they are delighted to have been part of this significant milestone for NPD.

“This is a meaningful milestone for the Milne, Field and Sheridan families and we are thrilled to have supported them through a complex transition process. Importantly, the transaction will see NPD continue to be family-owned and operate with the values it was built on.”

Founded by the Milne Family in 1969, NPD has grown to become a leading fuel distributor and retailer throughout New Zealand, operating a nationwide network of over 100 sites, and with this ownership transfer, NPD is well-positioned to continue its growth trajectory.

Michal Szaniecki, Director of Volkswagen Passenger Vehicles, said the agreement was absolutely crucial to Volkswagen’s stated intention for its Australian EV sales to surpass those of conventional vehicles by 2028.

“Two giants of personal mobility are helping more Australians transition to lower emissions vehicle ownership more quickly, making seamless their transition to e-mobility.

“Eighty per cent of charging in urban areas will be done at home, while we are supporting the growing Ampol network on the open road, so this association literally empowers our customers wherever they live around this great country.”

Volkswagen will announce the rates for Ampol public vehicle charging, ahead of the ID. range rollout commencing from July/August 2024.

“Importantly, the transaction will see NPD continue to be family-owned and operate with the values it was built on.”

– Craig Armitage, Partner, PwC

NPD was founded by the Milne Family in 1969

Australian household transport costs rise 10 per cent in a year

THE TYPICAL AUSTRALIAN household’s transport costs rose by 10 per cent in the 12 months to 31 March 2024, reveals a new report.

The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) Transport Affordability Index showed that in the recent March quarter transport costs rose by 4.5 per cent, almost four times the quarter’s CPI rise of 1 per cent.

Michael Bradley, Managing Director at AAA, said the continuing decline of transport affordability is a heavy burden at a time when Australians are feeling cost-of-living pressures across the board.

“Transport is a significant and unavoidable expense for households, and it is also one of the key drivers of general inflation. Governments at all levels must consider these cost pressures when formulating policy.”

The overall rise in transport costs was largely driven by higher up-front costs for purchasing new vehicles. In 2023, some popular vehicle models’ prices increased, and some small and mid-sized vehicles were displaced from the 10 topselling models by larger, more expensive vehicles.

In the March 2024 quarter, the typical capital city household spent 17.3 per cent of its income on transport, compared to 16.4 per cent in the same period in the prior year. The typical regional household transport expenditure also rose in that same period, from 15.1 per cent of its income to 16.3 per cent.

“Transport is a significant and unavoidable expense for households, and it is also one of the key drivers of general inflation.”

- Michael Bradley, Managing Director, AAA

Unstaffed stations leading to cheaper fuel prices in NZ

UNSTAFFED PETROL STATIONS in New Zealand are helping to drive down fuel prices in their local areas, according to the Commerce Commission.

Bryan Chapple, Commissioner at Commerce Commission New Zealand (ComCom), said areas that include at least one unstaffed fuel station within a five-minute drive have prices that are on average six cents per litre lower than those areas without unstaffed stations.

“Our findings reinforce that unstaffed stations are definitely the way to go for cheaper fuel and anyone who has had one open in their area has probably experienced lower prices.

“New Zealanders spend around $10 billion at the fuel pump every year, so even a small reduction in prices can put money back into the pockets of Kiwis.”

Chapple said the pricing pressure and motorists choosing to shop wisely also creates an incentive for staffed sites in the local area to reduce their prices.

“Ultimately, we see consumers benefiting from an increased number of unstaffed fuel sites, while they also have the option of staffed fuel sites with a wider range of services and retail products if that’s what they need.”

The Commissioner says local councils should be thinking about competition benefits of unstaffed sites in the planning processes and when considering consent applications.

“We’re seeing competition at work, and it’s useful for Kiwi motorists to be aware of, whether they’re driving to work, dropping the kids off at school or heading on holiday – every dollar counts and it’s a pretty good bet that an unstaffed site is going to be your cheapest option.

“Over time, we expect the opening of more unstaffed sites would see fuel companies dropping their prices further to better reflect the cost of operating staffed and unstaffed sites,” said Chapple.

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