Store Owners slam proposals to limit tobacco sales
Convenience store owners have slammed the ACT government’s plan to further restrict tobacco sales, dismissing it as a hare-brained scheme that will play into the hands of the major supermarkets. The government has put out a discussion paper on tobacco sales, calling for feedback by May 12. It has a range of suggestions designed to further reduce smoking rates by limiting access to tobacco, with the aim of reducing smoking nationally to 10 per cent by 2018. In Canberra, 11 to 12 per cent of people smoke now. Suggestions include increasing licence fees for shops that sell tobacco, and limiting the number of shops able to sell tobacco, or restricting numbers in each suburb. Sales could be limited to certain hours of the day, or to certain places, such as licensed premises. The chief executive of the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores, Jeff Rogut, feared if the scheme took hold…
Read More“Safer Communities in Focusâ€
“Safer Communities in Focus†Queensland Ipswich City Council will host the inaugural SafeCity conference for, private businesses, all levels of government, other agencies, advisors and industry professionals. http://safecityconference.com.au/ In a world where Safety, Crime Detection and Community Protection are intensifying challenges, the positive benefit to any community from Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) is without equal. The 2014 SafeCity Conference will bring together individuals to: · learn about and discuss the role and application of CCTV and associated disciplines · develop and enhance community safety such as future-proofing your CCTV system and · explore the differences and benefits of various monitoring techniques Presentations, panel discussions and Master Classes by distinguished speakers in the field of Community Safety make this a conference not to be missed. Please see the attached flyer and editorial for more information. You may be interested in attending the conference. For more information please contact Ian Brougham at ibrougham@ipswich.qld.gov.au…
Read MoreConvenience Stores Hit Record In-Store Sales in 2013
The following report is on the US Convenience store industry. How does Australia compare? Book your places now for the release of the ‘AACS State of the Industry Report 2013’ to find out…. Convenience Stores Hit Record In-Store Sales in 2013 April 2, 2014 CHICAGO – U.S. convenience stores reached record in-store sales in 2013, with sales climbing 2.4% to $204 billion. Combined with motor fuels sales of $491.5 billion, overall convenience store sales were $695.5 billion, according to figures released today by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). The industry’s 2013 numbers were announced at the NACS State of the Industry Summit, a two-day conference that reviews and analyzes the industry’s key economic indicators. The convenience store industry’s in-store sales have seen rapid growth over the last decade, as consumers seek out more food and beverages on the go. In-store sales in 2013 were led by continued growth…
Read MoreBP to close Brisbane refinery, sheds 355 jobs
ELIZABETH REDMAN APRIL 02, 2014 BUSINESS SPECTATOR OIL giant BP has confirmed it will close its Bulwer Island refinery in Brisbane, with the loss of 355 jobs, by mid-2015. The multinational oil and gas company said the growth of very large refineries in the Asia-Pacific region was driving structural change in the supply chain for fuels and putting commercial pressure on smaller scale plants. BP Australasia president Andy Holmes said the best option to strengthen BP’s long-term supply position in the east coast retail and commercial fuels markets was to buy product from other refineries. “And while more of our transport fuel demand will be met by imports in future, ample supplies are available to maintain Australia’s energy security,†Mr Holmes said. “While this decision will significantly improve our competitive position, it will result in job losses and I would like to acknowledge the enormous commitment and contribution made over…
Read MoreFast food slow to lick salty problem
Kate Hagan April 7, 2014 The Age Fast food is becoming less salty, although many items such as pizzas and burgers still contain high levels of salt, prompting calls for sector-wide targets to achieve further reductions. Researchers from the University of Sydney’s George Institute for Global Health studied salt levels between 2009 and 2012 in menu items offered by six large fast food chains: Pizza Hut, Hungry Jack’s, KFC, McDonald’s, Subway and Domino’s Pizza. They found that while the average sodium content of menu items decreased at a rate of about 2 per cent to 3 per cent a year, many products nonetheless contained an adult’s entire recommended daily salt intake in a single serve. Study senior author Elizabeth Dunford said the small reduction in salt levels in fast foods was encouraging but “could easily be undone by the trend towards larger portion sizes”. She said the average Australian consumed…
Read MorePHILIP MORRIS LIMITED ANNOUNCES PLANS TO END LOCAL MANUFACTURING
2 April 2014 Dear valued partner, Philip Morris Limited (PML) today announced to our employees plans to cease cigarette manufacturing at our Moorabbin site by the end of the year. As part of Philip Morris International’s (PMI) review of its manufacturing operations, PML has decided to cease cigarette manufacturing in Australia by the end of 2014, and transition all Australian cigarette production to our affiliate in Korea, which will produce the same high quality products for our Australian consumers. This is an extremely difficult decision, and devastating news for all of our employees. PML has a proud history of nearly sixty years of manufacturing in Moorabbin, being the first Philip Morris affiliate established outside of the United States, and many of our employees have been with the company for a significant part of that journey. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL ARTICLE
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