Industry News

The government’s plan to outlaw surcharges on debit card transactions threatens to squeeze small businesses unless it acts to limit fees payment giants and banks levy on outlets. Rob Anderson, the director of the Geelong-based and family-owned service station chain APCO, said payment processing costs jumped “exponentially” over the past few years, with around 80 per cent of his customers now using some form of card and digital payment. While APCO has not implemented a surcharge in its stores, Mr Anderson has considered it to offset the cost of processing payments. Now, he fears the Albanese government’s plan to ban debit surcharges from 2026, pending a Reserve Bank review, will put outlets like his at a disadvantage. “I don’t think it is reasonable to ban surcharges when the retailer is actually getting charged for accepting payment,” he said. “We are even getting charged on eftpos payments, and they will be…

Vapers are being forced to buy their e-cigarettes on the black market, with only a tiny percentage of pharmacies stocking the legal products. Just 1 per cent of Australian pharmacists are stocking government-approved vapes for walk-in customers, in a concerning sign that people are still relying on the black market for e-cigarettes — despite the Albanese government moving to regulate the industry. A nationwide survey of 305 pharmacies has found that just four were stocking the legislated S3 vapes, while another six had them available for order upon request. The survey, commissioned by smoking cessation expert Dr Colin Mendelsohn, spoke to pharmacies across both regional areas and capital cities in the first two weeks of October, after the new regulations were brought in on October 1. Capital cities fared better for access to legal e-cigarettes — most of the very few pharmacies stocking the product were in capital cities. The Albanese…

NEW YORK (AP) — Americans who think of petrified hot dogs, frozen burritos and salty snacks when they imagine getting food at a gas station or truck stop may be pleasantly surprised during their next road trip: U.S. convenience stores are offering them more and better — though not necessarily healthier — choices. From 7-Eleven to regional chains like QuikTrip, the operators of c-stores, as they’re known in the trade, are looking overseas for grab-and-go inspiration, adding sit-down seating at some locations, expanding their coffee menus to rival Starbucks and experimenting with made-to-order meals for busy families. The moves are happening as convenience stores seek ways to offset slowing sales of cigarettes, maps and soft drinks. By tempting customers’ palates with fresh deli sandwiches and build-your-own burgers, the humble food marts want to become an alternative to fast-food restaurants for busy Americans who crave easy, interesting and less expensive eating options. “It…

Despite strong price discounting, demand for electric vehicles has slowed with Tesla sales down 49 per cent in September and 19 per cent year to date. In contrast, sales for hybrid vehicles are booming, up 96 per cent year to date and outselling EVs two to one. If the slump continues we may see the EV market fail to grow for the first time since 2016. But why have EVs fallen out of favour with new car buyers? Financially, EVs have never been more attractive. Back when Teslas cost more than $100,000 the biggest problem was the large depreciation hit. But with strong competition in the sector, EVs are now within the reach of most buyers and prices are getting closer to equivalent internal combustion engine models meaning other factors must be at play. Over the past five years the EV market has been supported by various state government incentive schemes to encourage…

Amazon has opened Amazon Grocery, a new small-format grocery concept it is testing in the same building that houses a Whole Foods Market in downtown Chicago. The 3,800-square-foot store offers a selection of 3,500 products intended as grocery fill-ins, as well as coffee and grab-and-go meals. While customers shopping at Whole Foods Market are looking for natural and organic products, this new format features traditional national grocery brands and household essentials not included in Whole Foods’ natural and organic product mix. “We’re always looking for ways to make it easier for customers to shop for groceries, whether online or in store,” Amazon spokesperson Jessica Martin said in a statement provided to CSP. “We’re testing and learning with a new grocery shopping experience with a small-format store from Amazon under the same roof as Whole Foods Market in the One Chicago building. With this new concept, customers can shop their favorite…

The record 26,124 attendees is 8.5% higher than last year. The 2024 NACS Show, which took place October 7-10 in Las Vegas, demonstrated why the NACS Show is considered the industry’s most comprehensive event and one of the most dynamic retail and food-focused tradeshows. A record 26,124 attendees experienced four days of education, networking, and a look at what’s hot and new in the global convenience and fuel retailing industry. The total attendance was 8.5% higher than attendance from last year and 3.8% higher than the previous record attendance in 2018. In addition, there were 8,811 attendees classified as buyers, an impressive 1,447 increase from last year. The NACS Show is a global event, with attendees from 68 countries. Expo Delivers New Products, Category Excitement Organized around five broad categories—in-store merchandise, technology, facility operations, fuel equipment and services, and foodservice—the 437,500-net-square-foot Expo featured 1,190 exhibitors. This included 157 exhibitors in…