Market Review2018
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Market Review2018 PRA OFC.indd 1 21/12/2017 10:31 • Over 900 owned tankers delivering quality fuels and lubricants nationwide • Contract flexibility to support your business • Industry-leading cards package that will drive down costs and attract new customers • Acceptance of BP and Shell cards available across the 500-strong Gulf network • Bespoke and tactical forecourt promotions to deliver growth and customer loyalty • A dedicated team available 24/7 • Endurance, Gulf’s higher margin premium fuel grades Join the brand of champions Call 0345 456 6300 Visit retail.gulfoil.co.uk Part of Certas Energy 002_PRA_2018.indd 1 20/12/2017 10:42 Market Review 2018 CONTENTS HELP US TO HELP YOU, MARKET OVERVIEW 4 THE INDEPENDENT H&S NEW ZEALAND-STYLE 10 FORECOURT RETAILER, BY INDUSTRY VIEW BY ARGUS MEDIA 14 SUPPORTING YOUR TRADE EDGEPETROL ON GOING DIGITAL 16 ASSOCIATION NOW SHELL DISCUSSES FUTURE FUELS 18 “Together we HYDROGEN Q&A WITH ITM 24 THE NEW ACOP L133 FORM 28 are stronger” THE PRIMARY AUTHORITY PARTNERSHIP SCHEME 30 PRA LOBBYING UPDATE 32 BRIAN MADDERSON ACCENTURE ON THE MOVE TO ELECTRIC 36 CHAIRMAN ACTION AGAINST ROGUE HAND CAR WASHES 38 TACKLING MODERN SLAVERY 40 he Market Review 2017 was extremely well received MARKET BY NUMBERS FROM EXPERIAN CATALIST 42 by members, product and service suppliers, BUSINESS RATES UPDATE BY MUA 46 Tindustry advisers, consultants, media THE PROPERTY MARKET BY CHRISTIE & CO 48 moguls, Parliamentarians, Government officials – in PRA EVENTS 50 fact the whole panoply of people involved and AIC ON THE FUTURE OF PAYMENTS 52 interested in our fascinating retail sector. We are FORECOURT TRADER OF THE YEAR 54 very thankful to all the contributors providing S&P GLOBAL PLATTS ON ELECTRIC VEHICLES 56 insightful content and to all advertisers giving WHOLESALE CHANGE 58 such great financial support. Having set the bar so high last ALLIED FOR SUCCESS 60 year, it will be no mean feat to raise the level yet again with GDPR – THE NEW DATA REGS 62 this 2018 issue. Constantly we review our communication and interaction with members to improve the exchange of information and ideas. Therefore this year, we are changing the format of Who’s who at the PRA our Regional events to “Business Breakouts” with more PRA MANAGEMENT TEAM (London) Ltd emphasis on networking as well as delivering great content. Brian Madderson, Chairman Joseph Richardson, Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd There are 10 such events plus five ever-popular Roadshows, 07768 608332 [email protected] John Ryeland, George Hammond plc held in conjunction with Thames Communications, Gordon Balmer, Commercial Manager Hemant Tandon, Park Garage Group planned during the spring and autumn across all four home 07771 834073 [email protected] Shane Thakrar, HKS Retail Ltd countries. Check the PRA website for dates and locations. Phil Monger, Technical Director PRA continues to invest to make our website www.ukpra. 07831 327990 [email protected] PRA TECHNICAL COMMITTEE Mike Garner, Chairman, The Garner co.uk a really valuable tool, especially with increasing content Ray Blake, Technical Manager 07496 967269 [email protected] Group to the members-only section. Steve Coombe, Membership Manager Nick Brocklehurst, Westbridge Motors Our fortnightly e-newsletter, PETROL HEADS-UP, is now 07831 373205 steve.coombe@rmif. (Northampton) Ltd distributed to over 2,000 email addresses with an “opening” co.uk Jon Brownsey, Fordingbridge Garage rate of close to 30% – well above the norm for such trade David Garside, Blakemores Jill Howkins, F. Howkins & Son publications. Do send photos/press releases/updates about PRA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Brian Madderson, Chairman Graham Lambert, St Michaels Garage your own company to our Editor: Anne Bruce anne.bruce@ Joe Brough, Manor Service Stations Ltd rocketmail.co.uk David Charman, Parkfoot Garage Ltd Andrew Lawrence and Ben Lawrence, Finally, we are planning to hold another annual Forecourt Mike Garner, The Garner Group Lawrence Garages (London) Ltd Conference in conjunction with ACS on Tuesday 3 July. Do Sue Kembrey, Stanishawe Services John Oliver, Central Convenience Stores Emma McVie, Southern Co-operative put this date into your diary as we already have a major Graham Lambert, St Michaels Garage Ltd Andy Jagger, Welcome Break sponsor to debate the “future of fossil fuel” – a subject vital Andrew Lawrence, Lawrence Garages to all of us after this turbulent year for our industry. The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) is a leading automotive trade body in the Publisher: John Lewis UK, representing franchised PRA MARKET REVIEW is published by Editor: Tracy West Lewis Business Media Ltd, Art Editor: Sarah Crowhurst car and commercial vehicle dealers; independent garages; Suite A, Arun House, Office Village, Sales: Rachel Hallett bodyshops; motorcycle dealers; petrol retailers; auction houses River Way, Uckfield, TN22 1SL Printed by: Stephens & George Print Group, and cherished number plate dealers; who provide sales and Tel: 01825 983105 Goat Mill Road, Dowlais, Merthyr Tydfil, CF48 3TD Fax: 01825 983108 ©Lewis Business Media Ltd 2018 services to motorists and businesses across the UK. Email: [email protected] All rights reserved. 201 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5AB Tel: 020 7307 3598 • Fax: 020 7307 3406 • www.ukpra.co.uk www.ukpra.co.uk 03 Market Review 2018 Developments in the sector include new-to-industry sites and alliances with the grocery multiples as it gets” for independent retailers? Some of the favourable conditions, in 2017: A YEAR OF no particular order, included: Continuing fuel duty freeze Benign weather meant no travel CONSOLIDATION disruption due to floods or snow Post-Brexit economic growth with PRA Chairman Brian Madderson reviews industry ultra-low inflation and borrowing costs No supply disruption from strikes consolidation through 2017 or major plant outages Continuing above-trend demand n the last Market Review, I referred Just as we thought politics was for both diesel and petrol to ‘A Year of Surprises for 2016’ and settling, we had enforced ministerial No new fuel grades to Ithis could have been the heading changes including the resignation of accommodate for 2017 provided the focus was on Defence Secretary Fallon occasioned Slow climb back of crude oil prices UK politics. Back in April, after Prime by inappropriate personal behaviour No exchange rate shocks between Minister May had called a snap and Overseas Secretary Priti Patel’s USD and GBP. election, the most generous price on misadventure in Israel. As we go to These factors enabled retailers a Conservative majority was then 1/14 press, news of First Secretary of State to make improved and stable fuel and many considered this a decent Damian Green’s resignation will force margins with strong cash flow which investment. As it turned out anyone yet further Ministerial shuffles ensuring further confirmed to banks, private making this bet would have lost their that PRA lobbying has to remain on full equity funds and others that this was shirts. However, the great British alert for 2018. a financially sound sector. As a result, Electorate proved as fickle as with The issues and outcomes of an business consolidation in the forecourt the Brexit Referendum by once again extremely busy year are covered in sector accelerated: confounding the pollsters and very more detail on pages 32 and 34. Exceptional offers up 12 x EBITDA nearly seeing Corbyn and his Labour Meanwhile, a new punchier headline made by acquirers with over 10 party into No.10. Only the unexpected had crept across my mind … “Fuel companies buying (or leasing) some comeback of the Conservatives in retailing in 2017 – As good as it gets?” 150 dealer sites Scotland under their charismatic Some 20 years after the screening Market confidence encouraged new leader Ruth Davidson, plus the of Jack Nicholson’s romantic comedy investment in 48 New-to-Industry last-minute deal with the Democratic with Helen Hunt, we may look back on (NTIs) and 33 Return-to-Industry (RTIs) Unionist Party in Northern Ireland saw 2017 (at least the first half) and pose forecourts and shops a chastened May continue as PM. the question was this year “As good Fuel suppliers such as Harvest ▹ 04 www.ukpra.co.uk SUPPLYING FUEL TO INDEPENDENT DEALERSHIPS NATIONALLY. All our customers benefit from: » Fuel security with supply from over 25 locations » Transparent pricing with flexible payment terms » 24/7 customer support from our UK team » 99% on-time deliveries » Unique choice of forecourt brands, including Esso, Nisa and your own brand Contact our dealer support team on 020 7404 7700 www.greenergy.com/uk/independent EARNING CUSTOMER LOYALTY FOR 25 YEARS 005_PRA_2018.indd 1 08/12/2017 17:44 Distinctive branding, security of supply from a UK refiner and a compelling, award-winning dealer proposition. All you need to drive your business forward. To discover more about becoming a part of the expanding network of Essar branded forecourts, call our sales support team on +44 (0) 151 350 4003 or email: [email protected] www.essaroil.co.uk 006_PRA_2018.indd 1 19/12/2017 11:29 Market Review 2018 ▹ Energy, BP Retail, Essar and Certas petrol and 30.0bn/l for all diesel still now enables fuel distributors to access also buying (leasing) sites provide nearly £27bn/year in fuel excise E5 petrol at all terminals in Northern The establishment of Intervias as duty to the Treasury. Add a further Ireland. the holding company for EG Group £7bn/year for VAT, and the gradual tax For some time, forecourt (360 sites) and European Fuels loss as EVs take an increasing share operators have seen the potential for Retailing Group (over 1,200 sites) of the fuels’ market will be exercising convenience retailing and this year majority owned by TDR Capital proved the most able minds in Whitehall for a have stepped up with exciting brand to be a temporary measure.