Industry News

Ampol has announced experienced leader Brad Blyth as the Executive General Manager of Technology, Digital and Data. Formerly Chief Information Officer at Kmart and Target AU/NZ, Blyth brings a wealth of experience in digital and IT in both B2C and B2B environments, having previously held positions at Flybuys, CommBank, Coates Hire, and Balfour Beauty. Matt Halliday, CEO and Managing Director of Ampol, highlighted the importance of this new role. “The creation of this leadership role acknowledges the crucial role of digital, data and technology in advancing Ampol’s strategy as we aim to stay ahead of evolving trends and demands of our customers and stakeholders. “Brad’s experience and track record in driving digital transformation to achieve meaningful and sustainable growth is undeniable, and he is the ideal leader to guide the team through the evolution of our digital strategy.” During his time at Kmart and Target, Blyth was responsible for the…

In 2023, Beam Suntory (now Suntory Global Spirits) revealed it would be parting ways from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners in mid-2025 and announced they would be creating Suntory Oceania, a $3 billion drinks partnership with sister company, Frucor Suntory. In September last year, non-alcohol beverage production kicked off at Suntory Oceania’s Queensland manufacturing and distribution facility, the largest single FMCG investment in Australia in over a decade. Now, Suntory Oceania is in the final stages of preparation ahead of its official launch to market mid this year. In this letter to industry, Managing Director Mark Hill and Licensed Sales Director Gordon Treanor give insight into how the launch is progressing: Licensed Sales Director Gordon Treanor and Managing Director Mark Hill “This year marks a significant milestone for Suntory Oceania as our alcohol and non-alcohol businesses come together, with end-to-end control of local manufacturing, sales, and distribution across both portfolios for the first…

M&M’S Australia has unveiled its first local pop-up store at the Australian Open, to celebrate its new multi-year partnership. M&M’S Australia has unveiled a fun, national-first retail activation at the Australian Open (AO), celebrating the brand’s new multi-year partnership as the Official Confectionery Partner of the AO. Taking centre stage within the iconic precinct, M&M’S has launched Australia’s first-ever pop-up M&M’S store – the unofficial eighth store in the brand’s global portfolio. Working with Clemenger BBDO, the colourful, immersive experience has drawn design and creative inspiration from the iconic M&M’S flagship stores in New York, London, and Shanghai. The activation invites fans into a world of colour and fun, featuring interactive installations, limited-edition merchandise, and exclusive M&M’S customisation experiences. Fans can create a digital ‘Ace Shot’ photo, plus create their own personalised mix-and-match M&M’S tube of chocolates. “The Australian Open is the perfect stage for M&M’S to create moments of joy…

Drone deliveries might be going mainstream soon. Wing, a drone delivery venture owned by Google parent Alphabet, has been building its operations since 2012 and its drones have made more than 400,000 deliveries in the U.S., Europe and Australia, reported Yahoo! Finance. The company is “currently testing its services in Texas, Virginia and at a facility in California.” The drones are 4.9 feet wide and 4.3 feet long, fly at around 65 miles per hour and up to 150 feet high. “The fleet rests at charging stations called ‘nests,’ and one flies to a store when an order comes in. The drone, while hovering, lowers a tether so an employee can attach the product inside a box. Then the cord is reeled up and off the drone goes. The orders can be tracked by customers in real time, and the drone lowers its tether and unclips the item once it arrives,” wrote…

Fuel and forecourt retailer Applegreen has agreed a deal to sell its UK petrol filling business to EG On The Move, a UK operator of filling stations and convenience stores. The company said it use the proceeds from the deal to invest in its business in Ireland, the UK and the US. Applegreen’s UK petrol filling station business has 98 sites and employs 1,142 people. The company said that all of the staff employed by the business are expected to transfer to the new owners as part of the transaction, apart from a very small number of workers in functions where there is overlap with the new owner. These employees are either being redeployed or have been offered a redundancy programme. Applegreen said it has been in consultation will all the employees in question in recent weeks. Applegreen said today’s sale does not affect its Welcome Break business in the…

TOKYO — Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd. expects its planned organizational restructuring to yield better results following the “turnaround year” of 2024, executives of 7-Eleven Inc.’s parent company shared during its recent earnings call. The international retailer expects to complete initiatives to streamline low-profit businesses and assets during the current fiscal year, setting it up for profit growth in 2025 and beyond as well as expansion in the North American c-store channel, according to Chief Financial Officer and Managing Executive Officer Yoshimichi Maruyama. In October, Seven & i announced it would split into two businesses: one focused on 7-Eleven, other convenience stores and gas stations, and one consisting of a collection of 31 less profitable retail operations. It also stated its intention to close 444 underperforming convenience stores in the United States, Canada and Mexico. “The optimization of the group structure aimed at maximizing corporate and shareholder value is steadily progressing,” Maruyama said.…