Posts by theo@aacs.org.au

Small businesses in Australia are paying significantly higher debit and credit card fees compared to large retailers, according to submissions to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s (RBA) review of merchant payment costs and surcharging. The Independent Payments Forum (IPF) has criticised banks and card schemes for maintaining what it describes as an unfair fee structure. IPF claims that small businesses are often charged three to five times more than major retailers, based on RBA data. “This skewed approach to fees is a betrayal of small businesses and their customers who want to access their own money at the lowest possible cost,” said IPF co-founder Brad Kelly. Some banks and US card schemes have pushed to protect all aspects of their fees – interchange, scheme fees and margin – while hiding them by banning surcharging, according to submissions made to the RBA. IPF argues that such a move would obscure the…

Tobacco excise revenue has shrunk to a nine-year low as smokers turn to the black market for cheaper cigarettes, prompting calls for the federal government to boost enforcement to plug the growing shortfall. The federal government collected just $9.7 billion from the tobacco excise last financial year, according to Treasury, a 40 per cent fall from the record $16.3 billion haul in 2019-20 and the lowest take since 2014-15. Successive Labor and Coalition governments have collectively increased the tobacco excise by 282 per cent since 2013, pushing the cost of a 25-pack of cigarettes to about $50 dollars – $34 of which goes to the government. Economists say the increases have become counterproductive and pushed consumers to the black market, rather than deterring them from smoking. The growth in illegal sales has also come at the expense of tax revenue. Treasury has consistently overestimated how much tobacco tax the federal…

The rise of more complex and digitized supply chains is leading to an uptick in risks. Supply chains and retail landscapes are getting more digital, but not all companies are adapting. In fact, too many seem to be turning a blind eye. In a survey from the 2023 Convenience Store News Technology Study, only 38 percent of respondents called improving data security a top business priority. As we enter 2025, the new year presents an opportunity for convenience store leaders to learn more about the key cybersecurity threats and what can be done to mitigate these threats. The Supply Chain is the Priority As supply chains become more complex and digitized, bad actors are seizing on opportunities for cyberattacks — and there are many more than most retailers realize. Consider the recent discovery of vulnerabilities in automatic tank gauge (ATG) industrial control systems (ICS). Researchers revealed critical vulnerabilities in six ATG…

Z Energy is rolling out a nationwide upgrade of its retail sites, with renovations set to continue until 2026. The project, which began in 2022, aims to modernise store layouts and improve the customer experience. Tim Bailey, Head of Retail at Z Energy, said the role of service stations is evolving. “With our highly mobile population, busy lifestyles and increasing desire for fresh and convenient food and drink, service stations are becoming as much about fuelling people as they are about fuelling vehicles.” One of the key changes is an expanded focus on coffee, with trained baristas and distinctive orange group-handle coffee machines installed across Z stores. “A lot of people design their mission around where they’re going to grab that cup of coffee,” Bailey said. “Our coffee business has grown really well off the back of that.” The upgrades also include additional electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at selected…

The local industry registered its fourth consecutive year of growth thanks to both a rise in sales as well as in the number of outlets throughout the country. Convenience store sales in Japan reached a record high of 11,795.3 billion yen in 2024, marking the fourth consecutive year of growth, according to the Japan Franchise Association. The strong performance was driven by several factors, including increased demand from international visitors to Japan. Soft drinks and other products also saw strong sales, fueled by an extended period of hot weather throughout the year. By the end of 2024, the number of c-stores in Japan had increased to 55,736, an increase of 23 stores compared to the previous year. On a same-store basis, sales grew by 1.1% compared to the previous year. The rise in customers, which increased by 0.9%, was attributed to the expansion of low-priced products and the introduction of…

Nestlé Australia has unveiled a new $30 million investment in its Campbellfield factory in Victoria, the home of KitKat. The state-of-the-art technology will bring digital and AI capabilities that will improve the iconic KitKat wafer, and enable further KitKat innovation, while also supporting an increased production capacity. Nestlé General Manager Confectionery, Andrew Lawrey, shared that the investment is testament to Nestlé’s ongoing support for local manufacturing and to delivering new and delicious flavours for consumers. “KitKat fans love to see new ways to break – and the new technology we have installed in our factory allows us to create new flavours and fillings, textures and tastes! “Part of the investment is a new wafer oven, which will enhance the entire KitKat range by improving our wafer quality. We’re excited that this new technology will help us to deliver a crispier, more consistent ‘snap’ – the iconic break that KitKat is famous for. “There is a slight change in our wafer…