30 September, 2014 A recent Cancer Council Victoria survey found strong public support for limiting the availability of tobacco products, Quit Victoria said today. Quit Victoria Policy Manager, Kylie Lindorff, said the survey revealed significant and rising levels of public support for limiting the number of venues from which tobacco products can be purchased. “Overall, nearly three in four adult Victorians (73%) said they would support a law to limit the number of tobacco product-selling venues1,” Ms Lindorff said. “At present, tobacco is sold in more than 8,000 Victorian retail outlets, is more available than bread and milk, and can be sold by anyone, almost anywhere. “This is not in the community’s interest, and that’s why effective action to reduce the widespread availability of tobacco products is needed sooner rather than later.” Ms Lindorff said reducing tobacco availability is a key policy priority for Quit Victoria ahead of November’s state…

Melissa Kress September 29, 2014 Convenience Store News NATIONAL REPORT — There are as many as 15,000 vape stores currently operating in the United States and that number may just be the tip of the iceberg. In fact, “vapor shops” became their own category on the popular social media site Yelp as of May. Why should convenience store retailers care? Because recent research shows vape shops are taking away c-store electronic cigarette customers as they move to vapor products, making it critical for c-stores to get in the game as soon as possible. Also, younger adult smokers — one of the key demographics c-stores have been trying to attract as customers — are particularly interested in vapor. CSNews Online recently spoke to owners of several vapor stores around the country to gain insight on what’s driving the expansion of these businesses and what they have that c-stores don’t. Spike Babaian,…

John Durie OCTOBER 01, 2014 THE AUSTRALIAN ACCC chief Rod Sims has flagged a new unconscionable conduct case against either Coles or Woolies as part of the watchdog’s broadbased assault on the supermarket sector. In his speech at the Food and Grocery Council today, Sims noted the recent Coles case and said “the proceedings arise from a broadening investigation which is continuing and we expect further action shortly”. He declined to elaborate or say whether the new action would involve either Coles or Woolies or both. In recent months the ACCC has launched a range of cases against the supermarket giants ranging from cartel cases in the washing powder sector, abuse of market power in petrol tokens, false advertising and unconscionable conduct. It also runs a tight eye over any acquisitions the two make, but, as with the recent IGA additions to Coles in Western Australia, it approves the purchases…

MICHAEL RODDAN OCTOBER 01, 2014 BUSINESS SPECTATOR RETAIL sales continued to grow in August, but fell short of analysts expectations, according to official data. Australian Bureau of Statistics data showed Australian retail sales rose a seasonally adjusted 0.1 per cent in August to $23.31 billion. The Australian dollar dropped below US87c after the release of weaker-than-expected figures. AT 11:31am (AEST) the currency was trading at US86.89c, down from US87.18c just before the data’s release at 11:30am. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected retail sales to lift 0.4 per cent in the month. While cafes, restaurants and food retailers saw sales growth of 0.3 per cent, department store sales dropped 0.2 per cent and clothing, footwear and personal accessories sales shrank 0.1 per cent. The ACT led sales growth, expanding 0.4 per cent in the month, with New South Wales and Victoria closely behind, increasing by 0.3 per cent. Retail sales in…