Posts by theo.foukkare@bigpond.com

With the Public Health Tobacco and Other Products Bill scheduled for debate this Tuesday, new RedBridge research has found the overwhelming majority of Australians want vaping products to be regulated in the same way as tobacco and alcohol. The poll, which focused on ‘attitudes toward the regulation of nicotine vapes in Australia’ found nearly 90 per cent of Australian voters agree or strongly agree that regulated nicotine vaping products should be available for sale to adults aged 18 and older through licensed retail outlets – the same way that alcohol and tobacco products are. The polling was commissioned by the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) and found broad bipartisan support for strict regulation among supporters of the major political parties, AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said. “It found 88 per cent of Coalition voters, 90 per cent of Labor supporters and 93 per cent of Greens voters either agree, or…

The new facility is located about 2.5 kilometers from the Shenzhen Airport Terminal and features 258 public fast-charging points. Shell has opened its largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station globally in Shenzhen, China. The charging station is located about 2.5 kilometers from the Shenzhen Airport Terminal and features 258 public fast-charging points. The Shell Recharge Shenzhen Airport EV Station served more than 3,300 EVs every day during its trial operation. In addition to e-mobility services, the station offers Shell Select convenience retailing, Shell Café, vending machines, and a drivers lounge. “The opening of this new site is part of our ongoing commitment to meet the evolving needs of our customers in China. We know that EV drivers are looking for a charging experience that is fast, convenient and comfortable and this is reflected in the utilisation rates of our sites in China, which are two to three times the local…

While autonomous checkout companies have made headlines for retrofitting stores and appearing inside arenas and airports, technology company Juxta aims to incorporate that technology into a new type of store model.  In August, it officially unveiled the Nomad, a portable, autonomous micro-retail store. These small, cashier-free stores allow c-stores to test the waters in new locations without committing to a lease, have a presence where a normal brick-and-mortar store might not work, or cover for existing locations during construction or other downtime. With many c-store chains already testing a variety of new formats, Juxta’s markets could give convenience retailers another store model to experiment with.  The technology has already caught the attention of some big names in the c-store industry. Yesway is among the early adopters, as first noted by Chief Marketing Officer Derek Gaskins at the Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago earlier this year. Choice Market, the Denver-based tech-forward retailer, and Georgia-based…

Coles Express petrol stations will cease to exist after the chain’s new owner announced it would undergo a rebranding. Viva Energy, who acquired Coles Express convenience stores from the Coles Group in September last year, said the stores will be gradually renamed to Reddy Express. Any references to Coles Express will be removed from all stores and replaced over the next 3.5 years, however, most are expected to be rebranded over a two-year period. Viva Energy convenience and mobility business chief executive Jevan Bouzo said the company was also in the process of acquiring convenience store brand On The Run (OTR). He said the Coles Express sites will rebrand to Reddy until the OTR acquisition is approved, at which point all stores will be turned into OTR-branded stores. During this time, some Coles Express sites may be transformed into OTR stores right away. The Reddy Express stores will continue to offer existing…

The NSW Government is committing $6.8 million over 3 years to invest in a crackdown on the sale of illegal vapes and increase for support for young people who are addicted to vaping. The investment will commit:• $4.3 million over the next 3 years to bolster compliance and enforcement to ensure the state meets responsibilities for retail, wholesale, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical controls on vaping products.• $2.5 million over the next 12 months to increase services to help young people quit vaping including a new digital platform, enhancements to the iCanQuit platform and an online learning module for youth services across the state. Ongoing work by NSW Health highlighted just how important it is further action is taken on the sale of illegal vapes, and provisions are made to support young people who are addicted to vaping. There is strong evidence that non-smokers who use e-cigarettes or vapes, are 3 times…