Retail Ireland, the IBEC group that represents the retail sector, has called for tax reform and a better resourced Garda and Revenue response to illegal diesel laundering.

New shopper research from IGD shows the number of shoppers claiming to go to discount stores like Lidl and Aldi has increased over the past year, and is set to increase further.
 

UKPIA welcomes the Energy and Climate Change Committee’s recommendations on oil refining and compulsory oil stocks.

Air1, Yara International’s AdBlue brand across Europe, announces a price increase for its AdBlue, effective from November 1, 2011.

At a meeting of small businesses with Nick Clegg this morning, ACS Chief Executive James Lowman called on the Deputy Prime Minister to extend the moratorium on new employment legislation to more businesses, and to reduce burdens from local government and enforcement practices.

Independent forecourt retailers in parts of the UK are being encouraged to reduce their costs by signing up to a free solarPV electricity scheme which uses their canopies and shop roofs.

Harvest Energy has secured a five year motor fuel supply and branding agreement with WJ King (Garages) Ltd, which has eight forecourts stretching across South East London and North West Kent.

The Government was today warned about the serious consequences of their proposed Duty increases by Brian Madderson, RMI Petrol chairman. In his letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, he detailed concerns for the independent petrol retailing industry ahead of the Autumn Statement. Although the previous Government’s 'escalator' will be replaced by a 'fair fuel stabiliser', the precise mechanics of this new scheme have yet to be announced.

A new fuel brand has appeared on a Lancashire petrol forecourt, and is likely to appear on another 10 sites next year.

A decline in petrol and diesel sales coupled with the desire to reduce costs is forcing Europe’s fuel retailers to convert service stations to unmanned sites, finds Verdict, part of the Datamonitor group. By 2013, one in ten service stations across Europe won’t have any staff at the forecourt leaving motorists to pay for their fuel using automated payment technology. 

Greggs has agreed a trial with motorway service provider Moto to open bakery shops in motorway service locations.

Latest research by food and grocery analyst IGD reveals that sales in online grocery retailing are set to hit £11.2bn in 2016, almost twice the estimated value for 2011 of £5.9bn. At the end of this year, the online grocery market will account for 3.8% of total grocery spend in the UK and is projected to increase to 6.0% by 2016.

Ian and Sue Cruickshank, owners of the recently rebranded Ponton Main Service Station on the A1, Great North Road, at Grantham, have reported an 80 per cent increase in fuel sales since the site received its Harvest Energy livery.

RMI Petrol is planning a return to Northern Ireland in Spring 2012 following its first regional forum in the region for at least 15 years.

Brian Madderson is continuing the RMI Petrol’s quest to better inform motorists about crude oil and fuel prices following an article in the business section of the Evening Standard yesterday.

HIM research & consulting has appointed former Forecourt Trader of the Year Jonathan James as associate consultant with immediate effect.

Parts of Britain are in danger of becoming ‘fuel deserts’ as the number of petrol stations hits a new low, new research from Palmer & Harvey has warned.

Write your name, address and phone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want – Lucozade, Walker's Nonsuch, Maynards, Vimto – and we'll do the rest, including delivery. Send it to us at Forecourt Trader, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT by October 31, 2011.

Retail bosses at DCC have sought to reassure Total dealers about its intentions, following last month's announcement of its agreement to buy Total's oil distribution assets from Rontec Gerald Ronson's Snax 24-led consortium.

RMI Petrol has submitted a list of concerns about the government's planned pilot of a 5ppl fuel duty rebate for the Scottish islands to the Treasury following feedback from retailers at its regional meeting in Inverness last month.

Euro Garages became the latest winner of the Forecourt Trader of the Year awards when its Beehive Service Station site in Blackburn, Lancashire, emerged as the best forecourt in the UK, following a tough judging process.

More than half of a group of 27 Jet dealers in the south west who got together in the wake of ConocoPhillips' announcement to withdraw from the region, have now signed, or committed to, new suppliers, according to Barrie Richards of St Blazey Service Station.

Former Forecourt Trader of the Year Jonathan James has been appointed chairman of the Association of Convenience Stores. He will chair the organisation from November 2011 to November 2013.

An e-petition calling for cheaper petrol and diesel has garnered more than 92,000 signatures so far just 8,000 short of the number required for it to be debated in the House of Commons. As such it is the third most popular e-petition after those calling for 'Convicted London rioters should lose all benefits' and 'Full disclosure of all government documents relating to 1989 Hillsborough disaster'. It closes on August 5, 2012.

NFRN campaign