Viva Energy has posted a rise of 10.3 per cent to $192.1 million in its half-year net profit, with a strong performance in its refinery business. In its 2024 half-year results, the company’s refinery business reported growth of 390 per cent to $112.4 million, up from $22.9 million on year prior. Despite the rise in net profit, the company has cut its dividend payouts by 21 per cent on the previous year to 6.7 cents per share. Scott Wyatt, CEO and Managing Director of Viva Energy, said it was a strong performance with both fuel sales and EBITDA growing by 6 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. “Cost of living pressures and illegal tobacco trade are having an impact on consumer demand within our convenience businesses, at the same time that wage and cost inflation are driving up the cost of doing business across all our business units.” “In…

Significant changes have commenced as of 26 August 2024, following amendments made to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Act) by the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes No. 2) Act 2024. Two of the most pressing changes for employers are the introduction of the right to disconnect, and changes to casual employment. What is the right to disconnect? Before considering what the right to disconnect is, it may firstly be helpful to outline what the right to disconnect is not. The right to disconnect does not prevent employers from contacting their employees outside of the employee’s normal working hours. The right to disconnect instead gives employees the right to refuse to monitor, read, or respond to communications from their employer (or third parties related to their employment, such as suppliers) outside of their working hours, unless that refusal would be unreasonable. This entitlement is also a workplace right under the general protections provisions of…

APCO has published its 2030 Strategic Plan, setting a bold path to increase recycling and meet national packaging targets. The APCO 2030 Strategic Plan was unveiled on 19 August 2024. This plan will provide economic incentives for material circularity, establish mechanisms to achieve national packaging targets, and enhance the social license for brands using packaging. For the first time, a new fee model will create financial incentives for packaging design and direct the targeted expenditure of Covenant funds within the system. Our strategy introduces an innovative membership fee model, supporting increased recycling activities and fostering a sustainable packaging future. This will incentivise those brand owners that eliminate and reduce packaging, adopt reuse models, and transition to materials and formats that are easier to recycle. Importantly, funds raised through the new fee model will be invested in the downstream system to overcome economic barriers that have hindered progress towards national packaging…

Small businesses are increasingly concerned about sales of illicit tobacco and nicotine products in their community. The Commission receives regular contact from small business stakeholders voicing their concerns and is aware of the impacts of this issue. If you suspect a retailer is violating tobacco or e-cigarette laws, you should consider alerting the authorities. Small businesses that wish to report illicit sales can do so via the NSW Health website. Reporting these violations helps maintain a level playing field and supports lawful business practices. The Commission has previously highlighted this issue, alerting authorities to suspected sellers of illegal tobacco and e-cigarettes. While reports can be made anonymously, please contact us if you would prefer us to report on your behalf. We can also discuss other ways we may be able to assist your business. It is helpful if you can identify the name and address of the shop and specific details of any…

In order to increase foot traffic inside the c-store, retailers are becoming more creative with marketing at the pump. Marketing at the forecourt has become an efficient way for c-store retailers to engage with more customers and attempt to bring them inside the store for more than just paying for gas. However, as technology continues to advance and consumers’ demands change, retailers are beginning to bring in new forecourt marketing strategies or finding ways to refine the strategies they already have in place. Before retailers can begin to bring in new marketing tactics for the forecourt, they must learn what their customers are demanding when they visit their store. “Improving marketing at the forecourt involves understanding customer intent through innovative strategies like app-based ordering and personalized offers,” said Richard Crone, CEO of Crone Consulting LLC. Once that data and information have been collected from customers, c-store operators can begin to…

South Australia is set to enact the harshest penalties against the sale of illegal vapes and tobacco in the country, with a new legal framework introduced today by the State Government. The new laws aim to crack down on the illicit vape and tobacco trade, particularly the marketing and sale aimed at minors. The legislation contains significant amendments, including up to $1.5 million in fines for certain offences and a complete ban on vending machine sales of tobacco products in public places. It will also prohibit the supply of therapeutic e-cigarettes or vapes to anyone under 18. The legislation also grants new authorities the power to restrict market access to alternative products such as nicotine pouches. This move complements existing smoke-free zones, establishing a buffer area around smoke-free spaces near public transport hubs, schools, childcare centres, hospitals, beaches, and shopping centres. The changes will also allow for more vigilant surveillance…