Posts by theo@aacs.org.au
WASTEWATER DATA EXPOSES NICOTINE SURGE AS ALBANESE LOSES CONTROL OF BLACK MARKET
The latest national wastewater data has confirmed a troubling reality – nicotine consumption in Australia is rising, even as the legal market continues to collapse. The latest National Drug and Alcohol Wastewater survey shows national nicotine consumption increased by 4 per cent between August 2024 and August 2025, with levels now reaching historic highs across both capital cities and re-gional Australia. Regional areas continue to record higher consumption than capital cities, with the Northern Terri-tory now having the highest per capita nicotine consumption in the country. Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) CEO Theo Foukkare said the findings reinforce what retailers and communities have been warning for some time. “This data confirms what we’re seeing on the ground – more Australians are consuming nicotine, but they’re increas-ingly buying it from the black market instead of regulated retailers,” Mr Foukkare said. “The report also found that nicotine consumption has been trending…
Read MoreACCREDITED DISTRIBUTORS 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS APRIL 2026
The business started with the Booth’s family grocery store in Dandenong. Discovering a gap to call on retailers offering a range of confectionery, the business was soon renamed Terry and Vics. From those humble beginnings, in April 2026 Accredited Distributors will celebrate 50 years in business. The business has now grown to include four branches across Victoria, Albury, Bendigo, Geelong and Dandenong. Collectively servicing over 8000 customers across the community and employing over 200 staff. Our annual Trade Show is the talk of the industry bringing customers, suppliers and Accredited Distributors staff together. This is an opportunity for suppliers to showcase their new products & offer hot priced deals to those attending. Accredited Distributors are now part of the Distributor Group, Australia’s leading national independent convenience wholesaler and distributing to petrol, convenience, corner stores, pharmacy, newsagents, schools and the route market. We specialise in the sales and distribution of beverages,…
Read MoreUCB ELEVATES WITH ITS 2026 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia Stores Australia Conference 2026 didn’t just kick off on the Gold Coast—it launched. The room was humming from the first moment, with Bennie Bishop turning the dial all the way up and setting the vibe for what’s already shaping up to be an unmissable event. Darren Park got real about the pressure facing fuel retail right now—but flipped it into a challenge the room was ready to take on. The message? The gap between “ok” and “excellent” is widening… and this is the moment to step up, lean in, and hashtag#ELEVATE everything—teams, service, offer. Then the insights started flying. Daniel Tripolitano brought fresh thinking on beverages (and plenty of “why didn’t we think of that?” moments), while Elisha Radwanowski cut through the compliance noise with practical, no-nonsense advice. Theo Foukkare reinforced just how big the opportunity still is in energy and coffee, and…
Read MoreUCB ELEVATES WITH ITS 2026 NATIONAL CONFERENCE
The UCB Stores (United Convenience Buyers) Australia Stores Australia Conference 2026 didn’t just kick off on the Gold Coast—it launched. The room was humming from the first moment, with Bennie Bishop turning the dial all the way up and setting the vibe for what’s already shaping up to be an unmissable event. Darren Park got real about the pressure facing fuel retail right now—but flipped it into a challenge the room was ready to take on. The message? The gap between “ok” and “excellent” is widening… and this is the moment to step up, lean in, and hashtag#ELEVATE everything—teams, service, offer. Then the insights started flying. Daniel Tripolitano brought fresh thinking on beverages (and plenty of “why didn’t we think of that?” moments), while Elisha Radwanowski cut through the compliance noise with practical, no-nonsense advice. Theo Foukkare reinforced just how big the opportunity still is in energy and coffee, and…
Read MoreFAIR WORK COMMISSION ORDERS MAJOR RETAILERS TO HELP TRUCK DRIVERS WITH RISING FUEL COSTS
Companies like Coles, Woolworths and Amazon have been ordered to hold twice-monthly reviews of fuel prices with their outsourced truck drivers and transport companies, in a Fair Work Commission (FWC) order being described as “historic”. The order is the first of its kind under new laws brought into help transport operators dealing with the soaring price of fuel, with their union saying “thousands” have been working at a loss. “Every corner of the economy will be touched by this,” the Transport Workers’ Union’s national assistant secretary Emily McMillan says. Sole operator drivers, subcontractors and family-owned trucking companies are typically paid by companies under contracts that might not regularly be renegotiated. That means soaring fuel prices have erased profits. The FWC order, which comes into effect on April 21, will force companies that use transport operators to now conduct fortnightly fuel reviews. This will include major retailers, manufacturers, and miners. “This…
Read MoreJACK & CO DIALS UP CHALLENGER C-STORE STATUS IN AUSTRALIA
Jack & Co, the 10-store Australian convenience chain, is dialling up its challenger brand status with a compelling and award-winning proposition. Launched in 2012, the New South Wales business, has always focused on challenging the status quo with attitude and a bit of a kick, says founder Wade Death. As a former Caltex executive with 15 years’ experience under his belt, Wade was frustrated with the mediocrity of the convenience store, which he felt was bland in comparison to the forecourt. “That was the genesis of the idea – to create a market-led proposition with an attitudinal personality. Previously, all convenience stores were branded the same as the forecourt ie BP, Shell and Caltex. It was a proposition that needed challenging – the store had to be the hero,” he maintains. But it wasn’t just about branding. Consumer habits and tastes had also changed a lot, he adds. Customers were…
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