Posts by theo@aacs.org.au

When Amazon launched its Amazon Go convenience store concept, it was hailed as a revolutionary cashierless and frictionless shopping experience for the U.S. market. A decade later, Amazon is closing these stores, and I think it’s fair to say this was not a surprise—nor is it a failure. When the concept rolled out it didn’t just turn heads and pique curiosity. It spurred other tech solutions and POS providers to innovate, not replicate. The interesting part about Amazon Go wasn’t the concept itself. Autonomous, cashierless retail had already gained traction in Asia. What these stores showcased was Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology, with cameras and sensors capturing customer movements, purchasing patterns and transactions. At the time, the life cycle for this type of tech was much younger in the U.S. This tech has since continued to evolve and scale into what some may consider table stakes in retail today. The…

Our Last Year Winners, Edward Ratcliffe and Emily Tipping Share Their Experience For both retailers and suppliers, the Peter Jowett Award is more than a presentation or a trophy. It’s a development experience for the up and coming in the industry, that challenges how you think, builds confidence, and opens doors to industry connections that can shape your career. For Emily Tipping from Suntory Oceania and winner of the Supplier award at Connect 25,entering was equally demanding and transformative. “Participating in the Peter Jowett Award was both rewarding and positively challenging. Itpushed me to rethink how I build a story, get over my fear of public speaking and ultimatelyhelped me find a new level of confidence in my role as a Channel Category Manager. The process required me to refine my idea, draw on a wide range of insights, and develop a simple industry‑wide solution that was compelling enough for…

Queensland has closed 148 stores and seized more than $15.7 million worth of illegal smoking products in a 10-day blitz. Operation Major, which the state says is Australia’s largest coordinated enforcement action against illicit tobacco and vapes, resulted in the seizure of 11.8 million cigarettes, 1.7 tonnes of loose tobacco, 87,000 vapes, 4.2 litres of vaping liquid and 270,000 nicotine pouches. The closures were issued under new laws that allow Queensland Health to shut stores for 90 days without a court order. Theo Foukkare, CEO of the Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS), praised the operation, saying it sends a strong signal to black-market operators. “That’s 148 less stores selling illicit tobacco and vapes to the public and our members – and the Queensland community is far better off for it. “It’s a show of strength by the Crisafulli Government and that is a big ask when they are fighting…

Yesterday, New Sunrise hosted over 120 supplier partners on the picturesque backdrop of Darling Harbour as they celebrated its strong 2025 performance and introduced its 2026 supplier partnership strategy at the Supplier & RDM Forum, reaffirming its commitment to industry leadership, member success, and future-proof investment across its network. Opening the forum, New Sunrise reinforced its purpose and strategic direction, highlighting its unwavering focus on helping members win every day through targeted investments that keep their business ahead of the competitive curve. “Our purpose is simple: help our members win every day. That means investing ahead of the curve and partnering with suppliers to create enduring value,” said Director, Andrew Cardinale. “Our stores are more than just a place to shop, they’re about creating meaningful connections within the community. This commitment is exemplified by our members, who have saved seven lives through our ‘Heart of the Community’ initiative”. Proudly announcing…