This is a timeline showing how the industry had developed into what it is today as reflected in the pages of C&I over its thirty years. Here we look at 1988 to 1992:
1988
We launch we revamped Service Station Magazine
“Caltex Breaks New Ground With Franchise Plan”. Other oil companies soon follow. Dealers not happy with franchise terms and upfront fees being asked.
In April 1988 there are 130 7-Eleven Stores, 72 BP Food Plus with Caltex having 11 Majik Markets and Esso opening its first convenience store. Ampol and Solo say they have no convenience aspirations.
Compulsory super introduced.
Trade Practices Commission has yet another fuel enquiry.
“Temperature Correction: The Incredible Shrinking Litre”. Buying fuel warm and selling it cold is costing dealers $30-$50 million a year.
Mobil dealers paying more for lube oil from their oil company than they can buy it for from supermarkets.
Dealers protest low margins on oil company credit cards.
Ampol acquires 200 Solo sites
1989
Australasian Association of Convenience Stores is formed. Executive Director Barry Anderson predicts that Australia will have 3,000-4,000 convenience stores in the next few years.
Wholesale pricing and temperature correction arguments continue and a new Oil Industry Code of Practice arrives.
“Stock Losses: Environmental Risks Looming”
Test case launched by SSA and VACC for a dispossessed BP dealer fails.
BP commences site upgrades and a new franchise deal while Ampol launches Road Pantry.
“Armed Robbery: Service Stations Criticised”. Armed robbers start moving from banks to servos.
Our first food related ad: Avem places the very first ad in the magazine for foodservice machinery.
“A Force to be Reckoned with”. Shell launches its FORCE franchise package.
“How Does Your Oil Company Rate?” Not well according to our readership survey. But oil company reps were much more popular.
Coopers & Lybrand study claims that 25% of all metro service stations should close down.
“Coercion Is Not The Answer”. Oil companies pressuring dealers to remove foreign brands of engine oil.
1990
“The Opportunity Market: Selling Confectionery” and “Cool Profits: Selling Ice Cream”. These were our first category features and Mars, Wrigley, Peters, Streets and Cricket Lighters were our first FMCG advertisers.
“Anything Interesting on the Bowser Tonight Dear?” Caltex unveils its first video fuel dispenser.
“Selling in Bulk: Stack ‘em High and Watch ‘em Fly.” The benefits of bulk forecourt displays of soft drinks and dog food.
“Stand and Deliver”. We look at the opportunities for dispensing machines.
“Profit or Volume” and “The Shop Sales Myth?” Independent study shows that increased shop traffic does not make up for money lost through fuel discounting.
BP launches the first Privately Owned Service Station franchise called POSS.
State trade association launch the ‘Prosper From Petrol” campaign, holding dealer meetings demanding a 5cpl fuel margin and were later subject to a failed prosecution.
Huge industry survey in the magazine results in 10 per cent participation. It shows 70,000 direct employees in the industry with 77 per cent of sites still with a workshop. Of 24 hour sites, 28 per cent had an armed holdup in the previous 12 months.
Another petrol inquiry announced.
1991
Service Station 92 launched. All industry associations decline to support it.
Service Station magazine goes full colour.
600 service station dealers leave the industry due to site closures and non renewal of leases.
We commence a series called “Fuels of the future” which examines every kind of alternative motor fuel.
The autogas market is deregulated.
Shell UK states that the use of mobile phones is not a hazard on the forecourt – confirmed 15 years later by Mythbusters.
Mobil buys the ESSO downstream business for $500 million.
1992
Service station 92, our first trade show, held at Sydney’s Darling Harbour and was runner-up for the “Best New Show” award.
BIS Schrapnel study finds service station workshops are rated poorly by motorists.
Goods & Services Tax mooted.
AACS unveils a “flight simulator” for convenience store suppliers and managers.
Mobil launches Quix Food Stores.
Ampol introduces new flexibility into its franchise agreements.
New environmental regulations are making banks nervous about lending to servos.
Trade Practices Commission action against the SSA and VACC for price fixing fails.
Caltex attempts to correct its fuel freight cost anomalies.
NRMA Survey finds that over 50% of motorists are prepared to pay a little more for driveway service.
Ethanol blended fuels are first sold at selected independent service stations on the NSW south coast. Branded operators are not happy.
Streets launches Magnum on October and grabs 22 per cent market share in the following ten months.
Extracted from C-Store