Posts by theo@aacs.org.au

A “chocolate experience” to be housed in a building inspired by foil chocolate wrappers has been approved by Glenorchy City Council’s planning authority. The $150 million proposal, which includes a chocolate lab, chocolate lounge, emporium and tasting opportunities, would be built at the Cadbury factory site in Claremont, Hobart’s northern suburbs. “The chocolate experience will undoubtedly be a major tourism drawcard, generating economic activity during both construction and through increased visitor numbers in the longer term,” Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey said. “The old chocolate factory shut down a decade ago, but even now, people still remember so fondly going and visiting.” Factory tours, which had been a popular visitor drawcard, were stopped at Cadbury in 2008 following changes to health and safety laws. Cadbury’s parent company, Mondelez International, closed the factory’s visitor centre in 2015. Councillor Hickey said she was looking forward to visiting the new attraction. “Everybody will be.…

Auror has rolled out its retail crime reporting platform across London, where retailers and police are using it to target repeat offenders and organised retail crime. Law enforcement in central London and Lewisham has been piloting the platform since January. Auror said outcomes leading to an arrest, charge or conviction have risen by more than 50% compared with other reporting methods, with 482 charges laid. Retailers use the system to record crime in a structured format and send reports and evidence securely to police. This is intended to help both sides identify repeat offenders across store networks and focus resources on those causing the most harm. Company data suggests the top 10% of offenders account for almost 70% of retail crime across the UK, while one in seven incidents involves violence or weapons. The London rollout comes amid growing concern among retailers and police over theft, violence and organised offending…

Flexeserve continues to lead in hot holding technology, now enhanced with the Vision Screen, an integrated digital display designed to elevate in-store merchandising. Designed to work seamlessly with Flexeserve cabinets, the Vision Screen enables dynamic video content to be scheduled and updated throughout the day via a simple content management system (CMS), allowing operators to adapt their offer across different dayparts. Powered by Flexeserve’s patented convection air technology, food quality, texture and visual appeal are maintained for longer, ensuring products remain fresh, consistent and ready to serve. Paired with the Vision Screen, this helps capture attention and stand out in high-traffic environments. Perfect for promoting different dayparts and menu items, the Vision Screen provides a flexible and scalable solution for modern food retail. Installation requires a standard 10 amp power supply. View article source here.

The Northern Territory Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) will expand from 1 July 2026 to include specific beverage containers of 3 litres or less. Newly regulated containers will include wine and spirit bottles, plain milk containers, and larger containers (1 litre or more) of pure juice and flavoured milk. Beverage suppliers supplying into the NT who are not currently registered with the CDS must register by 1 July 2026. Existing CDS suppliers do not need to re register but provide details of any newly in scope containers to their CDS coordinator. LEARN MORE

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.6 per cent in the 12 months to March 2026, according to the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Sue-Ellen Luke, ABS head of prices statistics, said: ‘March CPI inflation of 4.6 per cent is up from the 3.7 per cent annual inflation to February. ‘Annual CPI inflation is the highest it’s been since September 2023.’ Housing, which is the highest weighted group in the CPI, was the largest contributor to annual inflation in March, with a rise of 6.5 per cent. This was followed by an 8.9 per cent rise in Transport. The CPI monthly movement for March was 1.1 per cent, driven by Transport which rose 9.2 per cent, due primarily to a 32.8 per cent monthly increase in automotive fuel prices.  All groups CPI, Australia, monthly and annual movement (%) Combination chart with 2 data series.View as data table, All groups…

Ampol’s renewable diesel project, which will blend waste and animal fats with traditional diesel, is moving ahead with a $25 million investment from the Queensland government. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the funding was part of the state’s long-term plan to shore up fuel and avoid future supply chain shocks such as the one caused by the war in the Middle East. An aerial view of the Ampol oil refinery in Brisbane. Australia has just two oil refineries and gets most of its refined fuel from overseas. The Ampol oil refinery in Brisbane, where the company is developing renewable diesel. “These projects are important to ensure we are never again left at the mercy of foreign nations, at the end of a global supply chain,” Crisafulli said. Ampol’s project will co-process conventional diesel with waste fats and oils, like tallow and canola feedstock, to produce a renewable fuel that can…