Competition from large grocery retailers does not put convenience stores and other small specialist shops at a disadvantage. That was the shocking conclusion of the Competition Commission's provisional findings following its 18-month investigation into the grocery market. Chairman of the Competition Commission, Peter Freeman, said:

Shell has again come under fire from the petrol retailing fraternity with its discount pricing strategy. As retailers struggle to balance scaring customers away with sky-rocketing fuel prices and making some kind of margin, those in the vicinity of a Shell company-owned site are scratching their heads in disbelief.

The UK Petroleum Industry Association has announced a week-long card fraud prevention campaign in conjunction with APACS, the UK payments association. The week-long campaign, which started on November 5, was designed to act as a reminder for customers to keep their cards and PINs safe and secure at all times.

Car Wash Campaign Group chairman David Charman has called on retailers not to give up on their car wash business, but to join his group and be part of the resurgence and success of the car wash industry. Charman is heading the CWCG which has been formed to inform the public about the

The future is looking rosy for a family-run garage that has gone from loss to profit after using Gulf Retail's shops consultancy company, Instore Profits.

Retail software provider Torex has announced a major restructure under a new management team. It aims to bring together many disparate business units to create a single global company operating under the brand of Torex.

Washtec is providing extra marketing support through its new 'Washtec file', which was unveiled at the Forecourt Trader Top Indies Fuel Track Day. Washtec is hosting free marketing forums around the UK from December 10 to explain how the file works. For more information email dawnfrazer@washtec-uk.com.

Do you agree with the PRA's campaign that the fuel duty rises should be deferred until oil prices fall?

Having been through several Competition Commission inquiries about unfair competition in the petrol retailing sector - supermarkets undercutting fuel prices and so on - all to no avail, no one in our industry expected anything more from the government's provisional report into the grocery retailing sector.

The fuel industry is gearing up for its biggest change in recent years - and it's all in an effort to go green. Last month MPs voted in favour of the government's Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO), which aims to bring the UK into line with EU environmental targets.

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Situated on the busy A303, Hazelgrove Services is part of the Chartman Group. From the roundabout the Esso service station with its Spar shop is clearly visible and it shares the plot with a McDonald's.

It seems a long time ago, but do you remember when the first pay-as-you-go mobile phone cards began to appear on forecourts?

The easy tick in the book

Being a Fraser must feel a bit like being something of a celebrity in the forecourt industry. The family name is associated with one of the most successful independents in the business, and most major retailers and suppliers will have heard of it.

When a fire destroyed Brian Charlton's rural site two years ago he was left with a dilemma. After a decade in the business, should he just pack up and take early retirement or should he take the plunge and rebuild?

The future of fuels - and motoring - is green. But that doesn't mean we'll all have to start driving powerless box-shaped vehicles.

Not everyone plans their weekly meals. Busy mums on tight schedules might have to, but the rest of us probably make up our menus as we go along. And that's good news for forecourt retailers who can cash in on customers who are shopping for 'tonight's dinner'.

With gadgets and gizmos topping Christmas wish lists, it's no wonder that batteries sell so well at this time of year. Forecourts get their fair share of sales but according to Martin Gormley, brand manager at Duracell UK, they could do better.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root's SK700 fuel dispenser has been improved with the launch of the SK700-II version. It is the result of a development process that combined in-depth feedback from customers, field service companies and distribution partners, with state-of-the-art technological advances, according to Charndeep Khattar, who is responsible for the company's dispenser marketing.

Westomatic Vending Services has been named Equipment Supplier of the Year 2007 by Associated Vending Services (AVS), a major national network of vending operators.

Retailers can bring a taste of the Continent to their forecourt with a new hot chocolate maker.

Retailers can cut noise pollution at forecourts with a solution from Environ Technologies.

Nestlé Rowntree is introducing a new concept in adult Easter eggs - free gift certificates.

Heinz is extending its Aunt Bessie's range with the introduction of extra crispy roast potatoes and crinkle cut chips.

Nákd is pushing its fruit, nut and oat snacks into the forecourt market.

Cadbury Trebor Bassett (CTB) is launching a 29p price-mark promotion in the run-up to Christmas.

Revels, described as the chocolate where you never know what's coming next, is sponsoring the Saturday night family show, You've Been Framed, on ITV1.

Ginsters is launching a limited-edition Christmas sandwich packed full of turkey with all the trimmings. It contains turkey, cranberry sauce, sage & spring onion stuffing, Cumberland sausage and bacon.

Long-lasting flavour and new eye-catching packaging are features of improved Airwaves - the chewing gum designed to provide consumers with an invigorating 'kick'.

McCoy's Jackets - a limited-edition range launched in March - is back by popular demand. Available to retailers now, the range comes in three different jacket potato filling flavours - sour cream & chive, melted cheese & bacon and chilli beef.

Country Choice has launched a new pizza concept for forecourts that enables retailers to sell freshly-prepared pizzas quickly, easily and with a high cash margin.

After an absence of almost 20 years Fox and Peppy the polar bear, the iconic characters from the Fox's Confectionery ads, are back.The lovable characters are back on the small screen with a sponsorship campaign on UKTV Gold worth £2m.

Meat snack Coan Biltong is fast gaining sales in the forecourt sector.

Nature's Sugar Free products, distributed exclusively in the UK by the Anglo Peruvian Trading Company, are a great solution for health-driven but busy customers.

To win, simply write your name, address and telephone number on a postcard or a sealed envelope stating what you want – Country Choice pizza, Fox's Coan Biltong, or Nature's Sugar Free – and we'll do the rest, including delivery. Send it to Forecourt Trader, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT by November 30, 2007.

The advantage of having been around the block a few times is that your experience ought to help prevent you from doing anything too disastrous. Unless you've been exceptionally lucky you've found out the hard way that embarking on a course of action without weighing up all the possible consequences can be an expensive and time-consuming exercise