VICTORIAN PREMIER JACINTA ALLAN SAYS GOVERNMENT WILL ROLL OUT TOBACCO SHOP LICENSING BY END OF YEAR

Victoria will finally set up a tobacco licensing scheme, more than two years after it was recommended, as part of a crackdown on the illegal tobacco trade that has sparked a spate of fire bombings. Premier Jacinta Allan told Raf Epstein on ABC Mornings that the government was working a new licensing scheme with legislation set to be introduced by the end of 2024. “We’re working through the different areas of government. This is one of those areas of government that covers a few different agencies. There’s health, there’s justice, there’s police, there’s a whole range of different areas that are intersecting,” Ms Allan said. There will be a period of consultation, the premier said. “There’s many of these small businesses who run a small business and we’ve got to make sure that we support them on this change because many of the shops that sell cigarettes, there’s many other…

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7-ELEVEN INTERNATIONAL COMPLETES 7-ELEVEN AUSTRALIA ACQUISITION

7-Eleven International announced the successful completion of its acquisition of 7-Eleven Australia convenience stores.  “We are thrilled to become one team and create stronger synergy with 7-Eleven Australia. For nearly 50 years, the 7-Eleven Australia team has built the legacy of the brand as a top choice for convenience. Together, we can enhance customer experience in the store,”  said Ken Wakabayashi, President and CEO of 7-Eleven International. The two companies agreed to the $1.11 billion deal in November 2023, and now the international company has added more than 750 stores in the country to its portfolio. Both parties identified opportunities to transform the Aussie company’s merchandise and fuel offer, expand product assortment and introduce new high-quality fresh foods. “It is about continuing to grow our store network in Australia and providing unrivaled customer experiences and quality products,” said Angus McKay, 7-Eleven Australia CEO and Managing Director. With the successful transition…

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VIVA FIRES UP CONVENIENCE ROLL-OUT AFTER LOCKING AWAY OTR

Viva Energy is set to embark on a $250 million-plus revamp of its network of convenience stories and fuel stations to adapt them to the transitioning demands of its customers after wrapping up its $1.215 billion takeover of South Australia’s OTR Group. Chief executive Scott Wyatt said the acquisition, announced last April, not only immediately provided Viva with 226 additional convenience stores but also offered the opportunity to take an extremely successful proven offer in South Australia and roll it out nationwide. Viva, partly owned by commodities trader Vitol, owns the Shell-branded network of petrol stations. Over the next five years, Viva will overhaul its existing network of Coles Express stores, refreshing and rebranding them under the “On the Run” name and with a stronger focus on food to suit the changing demands of customers and the gradual shift towards electric vehicles. “It’s really about transforming our business from being a fuel…

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AACS WELCOMES VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT PLEDGE TO ADOPT TOBACCO LICENSING SCHEME

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) has welcomed Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s announcement today that businesses in the state will soon need a license to sell tobacco, after years of lobbying by the retail industry. AACS CEO Theo Foukkare said he and over 1700 members were eager to work with the Victorian Government to get the licensing scheme on track and in place as soon as possible “AACS has been calling for a tobacco licensing scheme in Victoria for years now and we welcome Premier Allan’s announcement today. “We want to work side-by-side with the Victorian Government to help develop the scheme so that it suits both authorities and retailers. “It’s important that we sit down with the Victorian Government now to talk through the details, and we are very keen to be part of the working group that will help shape this important law. “The scheme must be…

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SHELL TO SELL 1,000 C-STORES BY 2026

The oil giant said on Thursday that it will divest 500 company-owned retail sites this year and next globally as part of its broader strategy. Dive Brief: Dive Insight: Shell did not share whether these divestitures will occur in pieces or large amounts at once. Regardless of how these locations are sold, offloading 1,000 of its c-stores over the next two years could mark a significant shift in the global c-store landscape. In the U.S., Shell — whose domestic headquarters are in Houston — has had something of a comeback in the c-store space over the past few years. Today, it operates about 250 retail sites, in addition to marketing fuel at about 14,000 branded gas stations across 49 states. After exiting the company-operated c-store business in 2007, Shell burst back onto the scene when it acquired 248 locations from Texas-based retailer Landmark Industries in 2021. At this time, Shell said it…

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A GROWING CONVENIENCE: KEN WAKABAYASHI

“Working with 7-Eleven is a terrific opportunity to meet consumer snacking needs across international markets. Having a global retail leader like 7-Eleven as an innovation partner is a powerful collaboration between two great companies with iconic brands that benefit consumers.”– Mark Calhoun, Senior Managing Director, Hershey International. The name 7-Eleven may be synonymous with on-the-go convenience around the world but there’s still enormous growth potential, especially in Europe, Latin America and Africa, says 7-Eleven International Co-CEO Ken Wakabayashi. There’s no doubt that 7-Eleven is a global phenomenon. In 2022 alone, it opened more than 5,000 new stores globally – that’s more than 13 new stores every single day, or one store every two hours. But Co-CEO of 7-Eleven International Ken Wakabayashi says there’s still much more to do. “The 7-Eleven brand is already big, but I still spot huge potential to grow, especially globally,” Wakabayashi, who is responsible for all…

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