Press Releases

November 30, 2018: The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has lent its support to company tax cuts and the abolition of tobacco, alcohol and fuel excise proposed in a new Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm. AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said huge taxes on select items like legal tobacco unfairly applies extra cost of living pressure to people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and effectively amounts to discrimination. Excessive taxation also has significant negative impacts on small businesses like convenience stores, who miss out on lost legitimate sales as more and more consumers turn to the black market to make tobacco purchases. “Law-abiding adults who choose to consumer legal tobacco have for too long been singled out and demonised by Governments through exorbitant excises. It has created an environment whereby Australia is one of the world’s most expensive markets for legal tobacco, which has of course given rise…

December 4, 2018: The We See You campaign targeting petrol theft criminals in Victoria has run for over a month now and, with more leads coming in, reporting levels up and an arrest already made, the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has called for Crimestoppers to double down on the campaign and intensify the crack down on these thieves. Petrol theft is the obvious starting point for a zero tolerance approach to crime, AACS CEO Jeff Rogut says, and the initial success of the We See You campaign shines a light on what’s possible when industry and the authorities work together. Mr Rogut says the campaign should now be extended to cover more suburban areas, with greater resources provided to petrol retailers, an increase in advertising budget as the Christmas holidays loom, and the formal support of the Police Minister. “The AACS has repeatedly reinforced the importance for Government,…

Jeff Rogut AACS CEO The Victoria Crimestoppers campaign to deter petrol theft has been going for a number of weeks now with an encouraging start. Arrests are being made as a direct result of this campaign Information reports to Crime Stoppers were up 110% during the period of the campaign The campaign was very successful in the media The campaign achieved a social media reach of over 77,000 people with an engagement rate of 15% Over 300 fuel outlets were engaged with the campaign and sentiment from them was very positive with many ordering repeats of campaign collateral or requesting additional / bespoke collateral during the campaign period, which shows just how strongly the campaign messaging and objectives resonates with them Greater engagement with local police stations to discuss the criminalisation of fuel theft and ways in which they can work together to deal with acts of fuel theft. If…

Jeff Rogut  CEO AACS Despite the news that ‘Sydney receives a month’s worth of rain in less than two hours’ a number of people did attend the presentation in Sydney. We also had a terrific attendance in Melbourne last week.  Thanks to Patties Foods and the Food Innovation Centre at Monash Uni for their research and thought provoking presentations. These have been recorded and will be available in the next few days in the Members section of our website. If you do require further info please contact me at any time at: jeff@aacs.org.au

November 30, 2018: The Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has lent its support to company tax cuts and the abolition of tobacco, alcohol and fuel excise proposed in a new Bill introduced by Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm. AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said huge taxes on select items like legal tobacco unfairly applies extra cost of living pressure to people from lower socio-economic backgrounds and effectively amounts to discrimination. Excessive taxation also has significant negative impacts on small businesses like convenience stores, who miss out on lost legitimate sales as more and more consumers turn to the black market to make tobacco purchases. “Law-abiding adults who choose to consumer legal tobacco have for too long been singled out and demonised by Governments through exorbitant excises. It has created an environment whereby Australia is one of the world’s most expensive markets for legal tobacco, which has of course given rise…