Volkswagen has joined forces with Ampol to offer Volkswagen electric-car owners discounted rates across the petrol retailer’s growing recharging network – and its home EV charger installation packages. Under the scheme, Volkswagen electric-car customers will receive discounted Ampol public EV charging rates for the first 12 months of vehicle ownership, however the prices won’t be announced until closer to the first local showroom arrivals later this year. The Ampol EV network will supplement Volkswagen’s 100-plus dealerships across Australia, which are also due to install electric-car fast-chargers to support upcoming models such as: In an industry first, Volkswagen says customers also will be able to colour-code their Ampol home charger to their Volkswagen electric vehicle – in one of five colours. “Customers will be able to use an augmented reality (AR) tool accessed via their smartphone camera to ‘scan’ their garage or carport for suitable locations (for the home charger),” said…

bp Australia has entered into a binding agreement to acquire fuel and convenience retailer, X Convenience, expanding its network with over 50 sites in South Australia and Western Australia. Frédéric Baudry, president bp Australia and senior vice president Mobility, Convenience, & Midstream, Asia Pacific said the acquisition would enable bp to tap into X Convenience’s local knowledge and convenience expertise. “This is an exciting day for bp and X Convenience, as we look to bring together two amazing businesses. We look forward to completing this transaction, integrating a high quality network and learning from the X Convenience team, leveraging offers that resonate so well with their customers.” “We’re making our commitment to South Australia clear, by investing in the expansion of our network throughout the state. Through X Convenience and our brilliant partners, bp will provide quality fuel, convenience and card offers to our South Australian and national fleet customers,…

The Distributors successfully held their 2024 mid-year conference last week, with three days of learning, networking, and fun. The conference, which had the theme of ‘Tomorrow and Beyond’ kicked off in Sydney Harbour aboard The Jackson, a stunning three-levelled yacht. Following a lunch of seafood and BBQ, George Tsapoutas, CEO of The Distributors, started the event with a brief introduction of what The Distributors have achieved over the past year, and their plans for the coming year. “The Distributors are focused on delivering against our visions and our objectives. We’re listening to customer supplier feedback, and we are taking that on board. What we will continue to do is invest in our people’s development and we see that is the differential between us and who we compete against. “Focusing on customer service because that is the key to our success. Delivering supplier strategies, because we need to maker sure we’re…

ST. LOUIS (May 22, 2024) —Rovertown, the mobile app platform designed for convenience retailers, today released a report revealing the best practices for mobile app push notifications. Based on an analysis of over 78 million push notifications sent by dozens of convenience retailers between January 1 and December 31, 2023, the report offers concrete guidelines for character count, emoji usage, dayparts, message phrasing, and much more. “Push notifications are an essential aspect of any modern mobile app and engagement strategy,” says Tyler Cameron, Head of Strategy and Analytics at Rovertown. “Unfortunately, best practices have not been widely disseminated within our industry. Rovertown’s new report bridges that gap and offers valuable insights to both novices and experts alike.” Highlights include: Following an initial analysis in January 2024, Rovertown provided a select group of retailers with push notification guidelines. Those adhering to at least three key best practices—increasing frequency, using emojis, and…

WHSmith has unveiled its ‘biggest investment’ in food in the past decade with the launch of a new brand, Smith’s Family Kitchen. Available in over 300 WHSmith UK travel stores, the range is the retailer’s first own-brand food range and comprises more than 30 products including sandwiches, salads, wraps, and baguettes. These include a Gochujang Korean BBQ Chicken Wrap with pickled slaw, and a New Yorker-inspired sandwich made with salt beef. Vegetarian and vegan products are also featured, including the Falafel & Hummus Wrap and Mexican Naked Burrito Bowl with sweet potato and chipotle sauce. The retailer added that Smith’s Family Kitchen offers a wide range of choice at different price points and as part of its meal deal. “We’re making our biggest investment in WHSmith’s food offer since we first started offering chilled food and drinks in our Travel stores more than 10 years ago, with the launch of…

Ikea will invest $4.5 million to build an electric charging infrastructure for its delivery partner fleet nationwide this year. The homewares retailer has tapped Jet Charge to install electric charging and energy management systems for six vehicles at each of the 10 Ikea stores in the country. The infrastructure will also enable low-cost charging of 28 vehicles at its central distribution centre warehouse in Sydney’s Marsden Park. The AC and DC chargers will have a capacity of 22kW and 20kW for overnight charging, and 75kW and 150kW for fast charging, and will come with the Jet Charge Core energy management system for control at the site. “By investing in a national network of dedicated chargers for electric trucks and vans at all Ikea sites, we are providing access to electric charging at the point of fulfilment where orders are being picked up,” said Alexandra Kelly, Ikea Australia zero-emissions delivery lead. “Ikea…