Industry News

Today marks a huge milestone for APCO as we officially open the doors to our 30th store – APCO White Hills ! We couldn’t have done it without the incredible support of our customers, team members, suppliers, and local communities along the way. A huge thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate our opening day. The support from the Bendigo community was incredible, and seeing so many people through our doors made this milestone even more special! APCO White Hills is now open!

7-Eleven Australia has launched an in-house agency, The Corner Shop, to bring creativity closer to the business. Its first major campaign, ‘Expect Nothing. Get Everything’, tackles outdated perceptions about the quality of 7-Eleven coffee. The Corner Shop brings together a senior leadership team spanning creative, design, and studio operations, led by Hugh Miller, former global director of brand, creative, and content at Movember, where he established its in-house creative studio. Hugh told LBB the initial model for The Corner Shop is to tackle “Tiers 2, 3, and 4” work. “Clemenger BBDO remains our strategic partner on what we refer to as ‘Tier 1’ work – multi-year brand platforms, major integrated campaigns, and briefs that require the heaviest production lift and a fully integrated response,” he said. “You’ve already seen the strength of that model in Clemenger’s work, like ‘Anytime is 7-Eleven Time’ or recent ‘Japan Icons. Now Local’ campaign. “The Corner Shop…

Fuel supplier and retailer Ampol will use its $1.1 billion acquisition of EG Australia’s network of service stations to expand its discount chain U-Go, chief executive Matt Halliday said after the deal won regulator approval. The approval came after Ampol, formerly Caltex Australia, in late April increased the number of premises it committed to sell, from 37 to 41, to win clearance from the competition watchdog. Those numbers were increased from Ampol’s initial commitment of 19. The U-Go self-serve model of petrol station has become popular with motorists seeking cheaper fuel. Wayne Taylor Ampol, which also owns the Lytton oil refinery in Queensland, currently operates 576 service stations under its brand name and 46 under the U-Go banner. Its total network will increase by about 470 sites after the EG deal completes. The number of divested sites – to be snapped up by independent fuel retailer Metro Petroleum – remains…

The Distributors 2026 Conference ended on a high with a spectacular Gala Dinner at the JW Marriott and the presentation of this year’s awards. Hosted by the exuberant Greg Ward, the dinner and awards were a fantastic way to wrap up three full days of networking, learning, and fun. In addition to The Distributors Excellence Award Winners 2026, there were also several awards for long-serving members of The Distributors recognising the hard work they have invested over their time with the group. Service Awards: During the night, guests also heard from Carolyn Creswell, Founder and Managing Director of Carman’s Kitchen, in which she offered three sound pieces of advice to take into both business and family life, which were – let them fail, speak up, and what is actually important now. Over the course of the evening, the Board of The Distributors presented awards to the winners of The Distributors…

The Distributors held its 2026 Mid-Year Conference on the Gold Coast last week, with the occasion made even more momentous as it marked 45 years in business. Over three days, members, customers and suppliers of The Distributors were hosted at the JW Marriott on the beautiful, albeit wet, Gold Coast. Following a members only session, there were presentations from George Tsapoutas, CEO of The Distributors, Mark Breust, Head of Commercial at The Distributors, and Rowan Lee CEO of ACAPMA. Tsapoutas and Breust provided updates on the business’s current financials, as well as outlining its plans moving forward and how it is responding to member and supplier feedback. Tsapoutas explained that there will always be economic headwinds in business and that if it’s not COVID, it’s supply chain issues or container delivery shortages, but there will always be some type of economic challenge, and that businesses should focus on what they…

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) says the Fair Work Commission’s decision to increase minimum and award wages by 4.75 per cent will add significant labour costs to a convenience sector already grappling with surging operating expenses, an escalating illicit tobacco trade eroding legitimate revenue, and some of the toughest trading conditions on record. AACS Chief Executive Officer Theo Foukkare said convenience retailers value their teams and support fair wages, but a decision of this magnitude cannot be considered in isolation — particularly when the sector’s own data shows labour costs have already risen much faster than inflation. “Convenience stores are the backbone of local communities — they open early, close late. Many are open around the clock — and we know our people are central to that,” Mr Foukkare said. “This decision lands on top of cost pressures that are already stretching operators to their limit. Our 2025…