Petrol prices hit a record average yesterday, with Experian Catalist reporting a figure of 120.13p for a litre of unleaded. According to the AA, in

MP Philip Dunne urged petrol retailers to keep on fighting against the "unfair" hikes they face in Business Rates, during his

Get your cameras and pens out, and start filling in those forms this is where the competition for this year's Forecourt Trader of the Year award winners begins. The competition is open to all retailers whether you are an independent dealer with a large chain, or a small rural site; an oil company franchisee in a main road location; or a manager on an oil company-owned site, there is an opportunity for all categories of retailer to enter.

The number of operational UK forecourts fell to 9,013 last year, according to the latest Retail Marketing Survey, conducted by the Energy Institute.

Smoke and mirrors is how Brian Madderson, chairman of RMI Petrol, described the Budget. He said: "The Chancellor failed to mention that, in

Pace Fuelcare have responded to the plight of NK Service Station in Princethorpe, Warwickshire, which scored a rather lowly 1.5 star rating in last month's Shop Doctor. A significant contributor to the low score was the fact the site had no fuel because there were insufficient funds to pay up front. However Pace Fuelcare says it has worked with the owners to arrive at a payment plan which is enabling the site to have regular fuel supplies.

Exelby Services, number 44 in the Forecourt Trader Top 50 Indies list, is investing £5m in building a new truck stop on a 15-acre site at Leeming Bar in

The theme of this year's Fairtrade Fortnight was 'The Big Swap' and now three lucky Topaz employees are swapping work for a week-long trip to Brazil. The three Charlie Fitzsimons from Dublin, Roland Mileika from Ashbourne, and Marti Kelly from New Ross won a competition to mark the successful sales of Topaz's fairtrade coffee.

It's encouraging to see that petrol retailers aren't fighting their corner alone. Or so it would seem when you've got someone like Philip Dunne, MP for Ludlow, speaking as though he really understands the vulnerabilities of the service station business.

How beneficial is it to your business to take time out to attend conferences, networking events and exhibitions such as IFFE?

Retailers can expect to hear about any revisions in their Business Rates bills by the end of June. That was the message from Brian Madderson, RMI Petrol

GENERAL APPEARANCE: Stans Superstore, located in the village of St Martins just off the A5 between Wrexham and Oswestry, is a phenomenal family-run independent enterprise. The Superstore is massive (28,000sq ft) and includes a wide range of fresh food, a gift shop, restaurant, garden centre and a significant range (some 80 lines) sourced from local suppliers. As part of its promotional campaign last year, Stans Superstore claimed it was selling the 'cheapest petrol in Britain'. This, in part, was achieved by money-off fuel coupons given when you spent certain amounts in the main store. My focus was the forecourt clearly identified by its Jet-branded pole.

Budget 2010 part one

Who sets the standards?

>> Visit the awards website for full information about this year's awards

Like many independent retailers, Brian Weedon likes to sell local products as well as have a major brand name above his store.

One of the highlights for petrol retailers visiting this year's Pro-retail show will undoubtedly be the Mace forecourt store. This will be the first time that there will be such a store at the show. The idea is to show visitors "the magic that can be worked in under 700sq ft".

According to Wall's Ice Cream, 60% of value sales of ice cream in forecourts come from chocolate snacks compared to 50% in other impulse channels. It seems whether it's white van man or Mr Mondeo the sales rep, they like their choccie even in the summer, when it has to be delivered in frozen form. That means you should be stocked up with Magnums and Mars ice creams.

During the recession there's been much talk about consumers turning their backs on big brands and opting for own-label versions of their favourite products instead. However this big switch has not been altogether successful. Some consumers have tried own-label, found it lacking, and gone back to brands while some brands have used promotions and the introduction of value ranges to hold onto their consumers. It seems the power of the brand should not be under-estimated and that's the reason why so many motorway services ally themselves with big brands think Burger King, KFC, M&S Simply Food and now Waitrose.

T he 2010 World Cup, with its army of fans across the UK, will be a big sales winner for retailers. According to pundits, they should see a significant sales uplift, with shoppers reporting that they will be buying more beer, wine and spirits and snacks to consume during the event.

Wilcomatic used this year's IFFE show to launch a new jet wash called the Tempest, as well as two vacuums and a new air and water tower.

Indigo Retail Technology has entered into a strategic partnership with Edensure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brulines Group.

Car Wash UK launched its Safetveyr handywash automated hand car wash system at this year's IFFE show in Birmingham.

Istobal has announced two major contracts with Top 50 Indie retailer MRH (GB) Ltd.

Food Now has introduced its Pizza Now vending machine which holds over 100 frozen pizzas.

There is a £1.4bn growth opportunity in the soft drinks market according to Open More Business, Coca-Cola Enterprises' (CCE's) new category report. Great Britain's per capita soft drinks consumption is currently less than neighbouring countries, such as Ireland and Belgium, so CCE has identified this as a potential growth area. The company says that if each soft drinks' shopper bought one extra drink per fortnight, then it would meet that £1.4bn figure.

Energizer aims to simplify battery buying for consumers by using clear performance-related messages to make the category much easier to understand.

Kit Kat Cross Your Fingers is the brand's biggest promotion for the year. Promotional packs of Kit Kat four finger milk, Chunky milk and Chunky caramel give consumers the chance to win £1,000 a day from May 3 to July 11.

JTI has unveiled a new look for its Amber Leaf roll-your-own (RYO) tobacco. Packs now feature an embossed leaf and logo design.

United Biscuits (UB) has added Jumbo peanuts to its KP range. Described as the company's 'biggest ever peanuts', there are three varieties: salted, salt & vinegar, salt & pepper and spicy chilli. Salt & vinegar and spicy chilli are available in 75g handy packs. Price-marked versions are available at 79p. These two flavours as well as salt & pepper are available in 180g bags. The salted peanuts come in 200g bags.

Total UK is relaunching its Quartz lubricants with more emphasis on the 1ltr top-up packs.

Gillette is expanding its shave care range with the launch of four new products: a pre-shave scrub; two after shave balms and a moisturiser.

Elizabeth Shaw mint crisp chocolates are now available in a 43g impulse pack, which has a recommended retail price of 99p.

Hotblocks are a carbon neutral fuel for chimineas and fire pits. Made from clean recycled wood, they are said to burn hotter for longer than seasonal logs and are easier to light.

Sellotape is being relaunched with a new range, new packaging and a £2m marketing spend. Its 'original golden'tape will remain at the heart of the range.

The Go Fast! energy shot is being listed by Esso at 350 of its sites across the UK. The shot is also going on sale in 520 One Stop c-stores across England and Wales.

The new Loctite Mini Trio has been designed as a simple solution to the problem of glue drying up in the tube. The Trio comprises three 1g tubes of glue. Rrp is £3.49.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) says sales of Lucozade Energy will be energised thanks to a huge on-pack promotion that gives consumers the chance to 'Win An Adventure Every Day'.

Beverage Brands reckons its WKD Core apple cider is set to flourish in 2010. As well as having the backing of its own specific marketing activity the cider, which was launched last year, will also benefit from the £30m investment this year in the overall WKD portfolio.

Pringles is adding a new Thai sweet chilli flavour to its range.

Coca-Cola Enterprises (CCE) has distributed the Monster brand since January 2009 and says it is now the number two 500ml canned energy drink in Great Britain. It is also the third-largest stimulation energy brand (AC Nielsen MAT total coverage to w/e January 16, 2010). With retail sales in this country of £11.6m and a brand awareness of 38% (Engage Research Nov '09), it hopes Monster will replicate the growth that has made it the number one value sales energy drinks brand in the US (AC Nielsen figures).

Write your name, address and phone number on a postcard or sealed envelope stating what you want – Lucozade, Pringles, WKD Core, or Monster – and we'll do the rest, including delivery. Send it to us at Forecourt Trader, William Reed Business Media, Broadfield Park, Crawley, West Sussex RH11 9RT by April 30, 2010.

My day starts with my husband Marcus' alarm going off at 4.55am. He works in London and leaves at 5.30am every morning. I normally lie in bed watching the news to find out what has happened in the markets overnight until he leaves and then I get up and get ready.