Dear Reader,

Insight and NACS are delighted to bring you the fourth edition of Global Convenience Store Focus and the first issue in 2009.As retailers begin falling like flies, it is no wonder Verdict Research advises stores to brace themselves for one of the worst years on record.

Gloomy reading but it is the darkness before the dawn. As this issue highlights, there are reasons for optimism in global convenience retailing. In Ireland, for example, Petrogas is expanding its Applegreen format, reaping the rewards of a discount fuel and fresh food offer. Elsewhere, an expert on petrol station design says convenience retailers can benefit from developing a local food offering. In the UK, Waitrose is venturing into small store territory – take a look around its first c-store in in our exclusive video footage. Across the pond, Whole Foods Market is honing the latest foodie trends – all pointers for the future. Scott Annan takes us on the second leg of his convenience store journey and is impressed by stores in the Far East and California. Back in Europe, France is picked as a ripe market for smaller store expansion.

Embracing the New Year has never been so convenient.

PS: If you want to keep ahead of the game, hear the latest consumer trends and ideas to cut costs and improve your ROI, attend the Global Convenience Benchmarks event in Dublin. Register before 15 January 2009 and benefit from a 15% discount.

Fiona Briggs, Editor

Retail News

Petrogas to expand Applegreen format in Ireland and the UK
Petrogas, Ireland’s leading independent forecourt retailer, is expanding its chain of Applegreen service stations in the domestic market and the UK.

C-TV visit to Waitrose's first convenience store
Insight partner, Dan Munford, went to take a look around the new 6,000sq ft store.

Whole Foods Market leads foodie trends in US
Sustainably sourced fish, local and heirloom foods, single origin products and a development on from Fairtrade.

Global tobacco display ban to hit UK stores
Retail associations representing convenience stores have reacted angrily to the UK Government’s plan to ban the display of cigarette products in retail outlets.

Discount brands impact Tesco market share
Tesco has recorded a drop in market share for the 12 weeks ending 30 November 2008.

One Off: gourmet Gou in Beirut
Global Convenience Store Focus has teamed up with Clare Dowdy, author of independent retail design book, One Off, to showcase individual and cutting edge food stores from around the world.

Understand economic change at the 2009 Global Convenience Benchmarks event in Dublin
Insight partner, Fidel Gonzalez, gives readers some good reasons to attend Insight’s Global Convenience Benchmarks event in Dublin.

Product News

Ten top product trends for 2009
Research company Datamonitor has pinpointed 10 top product trends for consumer packaged goods in 2009.

Car sharing is US convenience opportunity
Car sharing and convenience stores have potential for a profitable partnership, writes Chris Blasinsky.

Appreciate your convenience customers
Tell your shoppers how you feel about them, advises Pat Pape.

Research

France and UK are ripe markets for discounters
France and the UK present golden opportunities for discounter penetration and expansion, according to a new report from Verdict Research.

UK drivers reduce fuel spending
British motorist have changed the way they drive over the past 12 months to cut back on the amount of petrol they use, according to research company, Mintel.

2009 will be crunch time for UK high street
UK retailers should brace themselves to cope with one of the worst years on record in 2009, according to Verdict Research.

Surge in UK online spending
Growth in UK online spending in November surged 26% on October, according to figures released from the IMRG Capgemini e-Retail Sales Index.

Opinion & Comment

Local food is opportunity for petrol stations worldwide
Developing a local food offer is a future opportunity for convenience forecourts, according to leading expert on petrol station design.

Financial crisis provides opportunities, says top economist
Jed Brewer, economist and vice president of Finance & Resource Management Consultants, reflects on the current financial crisis and finds a glimmer for optimism in the New Year.

What does convenience look like in 2009?
Insight partner Dan Munford considers the challenges and opportunities in global convenience retailing.

Scott’s convenience expedition: KL to California
In the second part of his East-West convenience store tour, srcg director Scott Annan travels from Asia to California.

Sharon’s c-store diary: credit crunch hype
Award-winning convenience store manager, Sharon Kane, reflects on Christmas trading and credit crunch hype.

Technology

Pret A Manger rolls out contactless payment
Pret A Manger, the UK high street food chain, is rolling out contactless payment across its estate of 178 stores.

NACS/Insight Products & Events

Exclusive: Don't Miss International Diary Dates
AFRICA. Insight/NACS Convenience Africa Study Tour & Summit 2009 Cape Town and Johannesburg, 30th January – 4th February, 2009.