Certas Energy UK advises forecourt retailers to build up in-store offerings to boost sales
IT’S a surprisingly common issue – consumers are driving home after work, stomachs rumbling and looking forward to getting in from the cold when the dreaded fuel warning flashes on the dashboard.
A pain for some consumers, but an ideal situation for retailers.
So it’s important to be sure forecourt owners can cater to this mission through a range of snacks, coffee or hot food to go options to help build up that spend on top of filling up at the pumps.
Sai Elaprolu, director at Access Retail – which runs two Gulf forecourt stores, said: “It’s all about the add-on spend. Historically, you made good margins on fuel but, now, you make less on the fuel but you give people more choice so they buy something else.
“There’s intense competition between independents like us and the bigger multi-site operators. That’s why we’re always looking to add new products and services to fill any gaps in our offering.”
Offering this point of difference could entice consumers to pull in to independent forecourt sites instead.
This is why Certas Energy has recommended retailers to bring in a range that could span mobile phone chargers, vapes, coffee and hot food to go options such as Rollover hot dogs, the latter of which offers a deal of support to retailers.
Elaprolu said: “Rollover supplies all the equipment and they come pre-cooked, so you just warm them up in the bain marie, it’s really quick.”
Therefore, Certas has put together a new directory for forecourt retailers to make the most of, helping to open the doors to a range of suppliers to independent sites, claims the energy firm.
For any site owners interested in this, they can contact the firm via email at business.development@certasenergy.co.uk.
Niall Taylor, national business development manager at Certas Energy UK, said: “It’s a roadside service directory that gives independent forecourt businesses easy access to the latest products.
“Our exclusive partner suppliers give you everything you need to get selling immediately, so it’s really ‘plug and play’. There’s everything from coffee to energy-saving chiller cabinet covers and EV packages.”
Phillips 66 expands Scottish Jet forecourt estate
PHILLIPS 66 has grown its Jet forecourt estate in Scotland with eight new sites joining the group across the country.
Over the last 12 months, eight forecourt operators have joined the Jet estate resulting in the firm’s greatest annual growth in Scotland for over a decade, says Phillips.
They are Ayr Service Station, Boghall Service Station in Bathgate, MFG Barclay Place in Edinburgh, Great Glen Service Station in Fort Augustus, MFG Sandymount in Glasgow, Highland Kilbirnie Service Station and Highland New Cumnock – both in Ayrshire, and Hillside Filling Station in Selkirk.
Spanning the length of the country, the new Jet sites were formerly branded under other forecourt operators.
Jet has also set out its ambitions to launch Jet Charge EV facilites at its sites across Scotland this year.
Graham Clout, UK dealer sales manager at Phillips 66 Limited, said: “Scotland is a hugely important market for us, so we’re thrilled to see the number of Jet branded sites growing.
“We are a customer-first business and pride ourselves on nurturing and maintaining strong relationships – driving success for all our customers.
“In 2024, we’ve got lots of plans, including growing our EV offering and renewed marketing activity for what is set to be an exciting year.”
