News Stories
STATES PHASE OUT STAGE II
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is
taking the first step toward phasing out Stage II Gasoline Vapor Recovery
Systems that have been a fixture on gasoline pumps there since 1992.
The department has stopped requiring installation of the systems at newly
constructed gas stations, providing a cost savings of about $33,000 for an
average station, the state said in an announcement.
DEEP studied gasoline vapor recovery in Connecticut, finding that the program
is rapidly becoming obsolete and will stop benefiting the environment as early
as this summer. As a result, DEEP plans to phase out the technology.
The systems are rubber sleeves over the gas pump nozzle or vacuum systems
designed to capture gasoline fumes that are released whenever motorists fill the
fuel tank. The fumes pollute the air and contribute to smog.
But cars and trucks manufactured since 1998 have built-in gasoline vapor
recovery equipment, DEEP said. As the newer vehicles replace the older ones,
there's less need for the vapor recovery systems at the pump.
Eclipse Fuel System Management, of Agawam, Mass., an environmental consulting
firm that serves gas station operators, says other Northeastern states have
taken similar action or are considering phase-outs, including Maine, New
Hampshire and Vermont. New York has not repealed Stage II, but it has stopped
enforcing violations, wrote Megan Kazmierczak, senior compliance manager for
Eclipse.
Donna Harris, dharris@opisnet.com
Copyright 2012, Oil Express
Posted: Tue, February 21st, 2012
Last updated: Tue, February 21st, 2012
Future of the Service Station Industry Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 28th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Hilton Garden Inn
420 Totten Pond Rd.
Waltham, MA 02451
Click here for Directions
At our first meeting on Jan. 24th we discussed:
- Life After the Major Oil Companies
- Rack vs DTW Pricing
- New Competition
- Supply and Demand
- And more…
Posted: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Last updated: Mon, February 20th, 2012
SHELL REWARDS ENTICE DEALERS
As Shell begins rollout of its Fuel Rewards Network (FRN) program, some dealers are begging jobbers to rebrand their stations to Shell.
The comprehensive program started with fuel discounts tied to grocery store purchases, but this year is being expanded to other large merchants such as Gap, Home Depot, Staples, Best Buy, Bass Pro and Travelocity. Customers can also obtain fuel discounts with purchases at 11,000 restaurants around the country. And Shell e-coupons for products sold at groceries and drugstores also provide cents-per-gallon discounts.
The program is free and there's no limit to the amount of fuel rewards customers can earn.
Shell marketers can customize special offers promoting extra fuel rewards on products they select. Some examples from Shell's latest brochure:
- Single product: Purchase one Monster Energy Drink, earn 5cts/gal.
- Combo product: Purchase a sandwich and fountain drink, earn8cts/gal.
- Auto service or carwash: Purchase an oil change or carwash, earn 15cts/gal.
- Continuity: Purchase four coffee or fountain drinks at once or over time at the same station, earn 10cts/gal.
Jan. 23rd, 2012, Oil Express
Posted: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Last updated: Mon, February 20th, 2012
2012 Convenience Retail Outlook.
The outlook for 2012 depends largely on the focus of the question. What is clear based on the CSD/Balvor 2012 Convenience Retail Outlook Survey is that the macro environment will remain challenging, while the forecast for the industry and specific retailers is much more positive.
Just as there are many different factors impacting the business going into the year, the strategies that retailers are pursuing is nearly as varied. The goal of the survey was to examine where convenience retailers will most likely concentrate efforts in 2012 across a range of topics, including fuel rewards programs, use of social media and strategic focus with foodservice and merchandise.
The U.S. Economy
The survey shows a higher percentage of retailers have a negative outlook for this year. The current sentiment represents a sizable shift as the net outlook score, which measures the difference between optimistic and pessimistic view, is 20 points lower than when retailers started off last year. This dramatic downgrade illustrates a growing concern that there are still tougher times ahead for the economy.
This change in outlook actually pales in comparison to the view now held by consumers, based on an analysis of year-over-year results from Fannie Mae’s monthly survey. What’s startling is that 75% of the population today has a negative outlook for the U.S. economy, which is a 15-point increase versus last year.
Company Outlook
The observation has been made numerous times that convenience retailers are more resistant to recessionary pressures. This may help explain why retailers have a positive outlook for their business this year as compared to when entering 2011.
The net outlook score for a retailer’s own company remains extremely high, at 83% currently, indicating that most retailers—or at least those surveyed—believe their companies are well positioned to outperform the broader market, or at least their competitors, in 2012.
Motor Fuel
That national retail price for regular gasoline averaged $3.54 in 2011 and remained above the $3 price level throughout the year. Given the impact that these elevated retail prices have on consumer expenditures, it’s no surprise that consumers are responsive to retail deals that provide some economic relief at the fuel pump.
As a result of the higher retail fuel prices, the average U.S. household spent $650 more on motor fuel purchases in 2011 versus 2010, according to Balvor estimates.
Looking back two years, consumers paid almost an additional $1,000 to fuel up in 2011 as compared to 2009 when the average price per gallon was $1.20 less, so the impact is real and significant.
Part of the reason that consumers express such a gloomy view for the future is that household income hasn’t kept up at all with inflation.
The Fannie Mae survey highlights that 18% of households report lower incomes versus 12 months ago while another 66% indicate income is about the same.
Consequently, consumers are under increasing pressures to find more ways of saving money.
These insights haven’t been lost on convenience retailers as 30% of convenience retailers surveyed currently provide a “cents-off-per-gallon” discount program in exchange for using a certain methods of payment. This is a 12-point increase in the number of retailers who offer such a program as compared to just two years ago when 18% of convenience retailers offered such programs.
About 14% of the retailers offer reward-based programs that can translate into even larger savings per gallon, depending on the points earned. Although some midsized retailers do offer this type of program, it still skews toward larger store operators.
Protecting the motor fuel business remains a top priority for convenience retailers in 2012. The importance of doing so may explain why more than three-quarters of the retailers surveyed are concerned with the impact that competitive discount or reward programs may have on their business performance.
In-Store Sales
Inside dollar sales are expected to grow approximately 3.6% in 2012. Foodservice appears ready to gain a larger share of the in-store business as the sales targets estimate a 4.7% gain this year while retailers anticipate that merchandise categories will grow 3.4% during the same time period.
Retailers are becoming slightly less positive about the foodservice business this year as the net outlook score declined by 5 percentage points to 67 points. Higher cost of goods and increased competition are two key factors weighing on most retailers’ bottom line today.
In fact, even with skyrocketing commodity costs that show no sign of reversing in the near-term, only 13% have raised hot coffee prices recently with another 10% indicating that they’re extremely likely to do so this year. However, just over 10% have reduced margin pressure while still remaining price competitive by introducing a smaller cup size to their program.
What’s evident is that more retailers are investing in upgrading hot dispensed beverage equipment, which 36% have either already completed upgrading before 2012 or are extremely likely to upgrade during the next 12 months.
Looking at the merchandise side, 71% of the retailers are positive about the prospects for merchandise in 2012, up six points versus last year.
Adding new products or leveraging multi-vendor displays tops the list with 23% and 22% of retailers having added or being extremely likely to add this year, respectively.
Even though just 13% of the retailers are increasing focus on private label programs this year, larger retailers are leveraging their scale to build this part of the business. Retailers operating 51 or more stores are more than 2.5 times more likely to be pursuing this strategy as compared to the average.
Consumer Marketing
Whether it is text messaging, social media sites, or any number of communication platforms, reaching consumers off-site is rapidly changing these days.
Facebook is second only to Websites today and its role will continue to grow as nearly 60% of all c-store retailers plan to increase the use of Facebook in 2012, according to the CSD/Balvor survey. Midsized retailers, those with 51 to 200 stores, are the most likely to expand their Facebook activity this year.
Text messaging and e-mail marketing are also both experiencing strong usage growth as convenience retailers are increasing the use of each 43 and 46% respectively. Retailers operating 11 to 50 stores are the most likely to leverage texting more while retailers with 200 or more stores are the most likely to increase e-mail marketing campaigns in 2012.
Expect to see a dramatic rise in the number of retailers using social media to promote hot beverages. For instance, 10% of the retailers indicate that they are already doing this and another 26% said this is something that they’re extremely likely to launch this year.
Summary
Convenience retail continues to demonstrate its ability to resist many of the downtrends associated with recessionary times.
This track record is likely why the outlook for the industry in 2012 is up 7 points versus last year at this time with 78% of the retailers expressing optimism as they understand the value that convenience retailers can deliver to today’s consumer.
That outlook is driven by a relentless focus on finding ways to offer greater consumer value both inside the store and at the pump.
Much of the value is being created by the retailer’s willingness to reinvest in the business in ways that enhance the current offering and as a result encourage more consumers to spend a greater share of their wallet at convenience stores.
Insights from the CSD/Balvor 2012 Convenience Retail Outlook Survey are based on a total of 155 convenience store operators, representing more than 21,000 stores. Retailers completed the online survey between Oct. 25 and Nov. 4, 2011.
Source: http://www.csdecisions.com/2012/02/02/the-2012-convenience-retail-outlook/
Posted: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Last updated: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Does Your Shop Need an Attitude Adjustment?
Anticipating the newest, most relevant, developing service trends is a key to sustained profitability for any automotive repair shop. Is your shop prepared to embrace and respond to these changes?
In and of itself, change isn’t stressful. It’s the failure to adapt to the right changes that’s stressful. In our industry, the acid test for success over time has been the ability to discern meaningful marketplace changes that will develop into service trends that have traction, longevity and profitability from mere fads or flights of fancy.
New technology, innovative service procedures and training and the presence of vital service information, tools and equipment training represent a part of the challenges that independent shops constantly have to meet. This article will focus on the attitudes we have toward new realities that are reshaping service trends within our marketplace.
Change provokes us to react. Before we do anything, we need to think about it and determine how we feel. Many of us prefer the status quo; it’s familiar and comfortable, and easier for us to manage. Others rush to adopt new technology, without realizing that such change merits modifying one’s business model, tooling, training, marketing or policies and procedures. In those cases, it’s a haste to waste.
In my view, neither blind resistance nor blind adoption are viable options. We must be constantly vigilant that our attitude is not our weakest link. The right balance between the two extremes—resistance vs. jumping in too soon—is essential. Ultimately, it sorts survivors from wannabes, profitability from struggling and success from failure.
Consider this historical example: In 1928, Ford Motor Co. announced that the new Model A would replace the “Tin Lizzie” Model T, which had been in production since 1908. This led C. R. Gleason Co., a repair shop located in Bottineau, ND, to attempt to maintain its customer base of existing owners of older Model T vehicles by sending a letter on June 29, 1928 (see “Earliest Target Marketing?” on page 20).
There certainly was merit on Gleason’s part in trying to demonstrate the affordability of maintaining the older Model T compared to the new Model A, with examples of both minor and major service. But the failure to identify real and lasting emerging change over time, then adapt to it demonstrates that attitude and timing matter. Stubbornly hanging on to the past at all costs is a sure road to failure. For some shops, it may take several such instances to erode viability; for other shops, once may be enough.
Detect Changes That Affect Your Shop
Independent shops need an early warning system that detects new developing realities that will impact their market and the nature of the services they provide. Fortunately, there are several meaningful resources that can help shops identify emerging service trends and provide time for meaningful consideration to chart their future direction.
Each year, the mechanical service and repair industry learns about technological changes at industry events, such as major and regional auto shows, the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) or other industry trade shows such as AAPEX or SEMA. Many Motor readers attend some of these shows, where it’s often the first time we can touch the changes that will soon be appearing in our service bays.
For those not familiar with CES, it’s like AAPEX or SEMA on steroids. It puts automakers and their customers face-to-face in an energized environment that sparks a buzz that ripples quickly through social and media networks. Automakers have been ramping up their presence at CES, an indicator to shops of what future technological changes and service opportunities will emerge.
Being aware of the roles, and following the progress, of such automotive industry organizations as the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) and Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) is also essential. For instance, ETI is focused on improving vehicle serviceability as early in the manufacturing process as possible. The organization hosts open meetings that enable all automakers to share scan tool information, service procedures and underhood, undercar and collision information with tool and equipment manufacturers. This enables effective and efficient tools and equipment to be developed sooner than in years past, often before the new models reach the dealerships. In 2011, every automaker stated it would introduce more production-series hybrid and electric vehicles and continue the electrification of its other vehicle platforms. It’s critical that shops train accordingly if they’re not already doing so.
Use reputable research firms, such as the Freedonia Group, J.D. Power and Associates or R.L. Polk & Co., that track trends in consumer demand, sales and service and relay their observations and conclusions. For example, the recent “Automotive Repair & Maintenance Services Study,” prepared by the Freedonia Group, analyzed the $86.2 billion U.S. automotive repair and maintenance service industry. Using historical demand data for 1995, 2000, 2005 and 2010, the study forecast 2015 sales by service type (mechanical, exterior and structural, electrical and electronics) and by type of service provider (new-vehicle dealers, independent shops, repair chains, specialists, tire stores and quick-lubes).
Here are three key conclusions from the report that will impact independent shops:
- Sales in the automotive repair and maintenance services market will grow nearly 4% annually through 2015.
- While mechanical services will remain the largest service segment over the short term, that edge is eroding. The fastest growing service areas will be consumer electronics, vehicle system electrification, integrated safety systems and communication.
- New light vehicle dealerships will continue to be the dominant service provider type during vehicle warranty periods, while the fastest growing aftermarket provider types through 2015 will be quick-lubes, tire stores and repair chains.
Note that traditional mechanical service is not one of the fastest growing service areas, nor are independent shops identified as a fast-growing service provider type. Shops must overcome inertia and attachment to the past and seriously consider what types of future services they need to prepare for, how to stem market encroachment and how to gain market share from other service provider types.
Let Diversity Be Your Compass
In addition to technology-driven evolution, traditional customer bases are also changing. Today’s automotive customers are more fully and quickly informed and they interactively influence their peers based on personal experiences, with or without direct involvement from a shop. Moreover, they’re becoming increasingly younger, female and more ethnically and racially diverse. The challenge for independent shops is to prepare now for these emerging nontraditional service areas and customers.
Each shop has to deal with its unique mix of groups of people, who differ from each other in age, ethnicity, gender, tastes, values, beliefs, buying habits and more. For example, shops will have a unique mix of age groups, comprised of Matures (ages 65+), Boomers (ages 46 to 64), Gen X (ages 33 to 45) and Gen Y (ages 19 to 32). In addition, the ethnic and gender mix in shop marketplaces varies. The 2010 U.S. Census and consulting firms are good resources to research and analyze market demographics and shifts so you can react appropriately, advises Kelly McDonald, CEO of McDonald Marketing, a marketing consulting firm.
“The independent shop’s long-term survival depends on how it manages diversity—in its market, workforce and elsewhere,” McDonald says. “Diversity is going to affect your business in every way. Your community is changing, your customers are changing and your workforce is changing.
“It’s crucial that shops understand that age and ethnic mix are changing rapidly, now and in the years ahead,” she notes. “In the next few years, the three greatest diversity forces and opportunities that shops will have to deal with are the growth of the Gen Y, Hispanic and female demographics. They are worth targeting.”
Gen Y: 70 Million Strong
Gen Y is the second largest group by age behind Boomers, but it’s now the wealthiest generation in our history. In addition, within this group, one in three is not Caucasian.
“Gen Y will soon be the bulk of our customers and our workforce,” McDonald notes. “They are more connected than any prior generation. For them ‘now’ means ‘right now.’ They text rather than phone, they multitask rather than focus and their social networks have more influence on their purchasing than any other factor.
“Opportunities for independent shops include providing education and advice to Gen Y customers about what they need to know to properly maintain their vehicles,” McDonald suggests. “They care that their shop conducts business with them in an authentic and personalized manner and that their shop demonstrates a commitment to diversity, community involvement and green initiatives. Shops can also use existing Gen Y customers to expand their sales base by leveraging social networking to reach their customers’ friends. This is because Gen Y is more likely to seek information and referrals from their friends than anyone else.”
The 49 million Hispanics in the U.S.—second in size only to Mexico—are the fastest growing ethnic group in America and have the greatest purchasing power of any minority.
“Shops must be aware that Hispanics are not assimilating into one ‘melting pot’ population like other groups once did in the past,” cautions McDonald. “Rather, Hispanics are choosing to acculturate—they retain their root Hispanic culture while taking on the American culture.
“Shops must learn the differences between Hispanics and other ethnic groups, as well as the differences within the Hispanic population, to understand how to relate to Hispanic customers and employees,” she says. Mexican, Cuban, Columbian, Spanish and other Hispanic heritages must not be treated as one homogenous group. For example, employing a Cinco de Mayo (a Mexican holiday) themed marketing campaign in Los Angeles might be reasonable, but doing so in Miami would be ill-advised, because unlike L.A., Miami’s Hispanic population is not predominantly Mexican in origin.
The Shift to Female Purchasing Power
In just the last few years, purchasing power in the automotive sector has shifted from males to females. A recent study conducted by Road and Travel magazine observed that women now purchase more vehicles than men, and that two-thirds of women vehicle owners take their vehicles to independent repair shops for service. Yet even with this purchasing power, the Car Care Council recently reported, 89% of women who responded to a nationwide survey said repair shops still treat them like second-class citizens.
Mae de la Calzada experienced this herself while in university, as did a number of her female friends. She remembers the disdain and condescending attitude when they took their vehicles to independent shops. She says that these experiences three years ago motivated her to open her own shop, LadyParts Automotive Services, in Redwood City, CA.
“If shops don’t learn to relate on terms that matter to women, they are limiting their success, regardless of their mechanical competence,” she explains. “Too often, I see shops use a communication style to which women do not respond, or find condescending.”
When asked what makes her shop unique, she said that traditional shops have focused on trying to make as much sales revenue as possible. “My shop was designed with female customers in mind after I found it difficult myself to get good customer service in a male-dominated industry. With a woman, you have to ease your way into things, talk to them and get them to come to it.”
Time to Rethink
Over time, independent shops have always faced the challenges that change harkens. But timing was more forgiving in the past. In recent years, the pace of change and the ripple effects from them have accelerated. The time to react and adapt is now compressed.
Today, shops must be much more nimble—quicker in recognizing, reacting and restructuring their business plan in response to changes that matter. Knowing what technology, tools and equipment and consumer demands are on the horizon is part of the puzzle that must be solved. Understanding shifting market forces and paradigms is another. Change should provoke new thinking with regard to a shop’s business model, what types of service will be provided and what training and staff need to be attained.
Establishing an honest, authentic rapport is a huge common factor that Gen Y, Hispanic and female customers consider in doing business with you. Leverage that value through education and information. For example, certification and other minimum standards may resonate as positive indicators of authenticity, image and trust with these emerging customer segments—before they ever decide to do business with you. Demonstrate to them the competencies you’ve attained. Then engage in a dialogue that could dramatically improve your professional image in the eyes of these customers whom we all want.
It’s also worth revisiting our attitude toward pricing parts and labor. Being more connected, the specter of these customer segments price-shopping for parts can act as a tripwire for shops that try to build too much profit into parts, while keeping their shop labor rate lower. Building too much profit into parts may work for the ledger, but will erode the trust from customers who are willing to pay for quality, but not at the expense of feeling ripped off.
Ultimately, it’s our expertise that these customers need—the cumulative experience, training and level of tooling and equipment that differentiate one shop from another. The more competence one has, the more one’s time is worth. That’s defensible. For example, if you use factory scan tools that provide more diagnostic and programming functionality, you can perform more complete repairs. Inform your customers of that, so they understand the value you bring to the table. Then make sure you deliver it.
Darrell Amberson, owner of Lehman Garage in Minneapolis, shares how tending to diversity spurred growth at his shop.
“Diverse customers comprise only about 5% of our business today, but it’s 5% we didn’t have just a few years ago. It’s a growing aspect of our business. I think every repair shop needs to figure out how their local community is changing, who their customers and prospects are and figure out how to reach and serve them.”
Source: http://www.motor.com/article.asp?article_ID=1878
Posted: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Last updated: Mon, February 20th, 2012
It's 2012, Do You Know Where Your Contact Info Is?
If there's 2 words to sum up 2012, it's "Online Privacy". Google, Facebook and the other Titans of the Internet are growing bigger and closer than ever, connecting people, places and things together, all in the name of gathering information for humanity's quest to know everything.
But they're not the only ones who know where you are and what you do. 3rd party sites such as Yelp, YellowPages, Edmund, BodyShops.com can gather this information from Google, and build their own databases (ultimately without your knowledge).
The Internet's Just A Grapevine...
Computers now possess the power to read a website, gather information from it, and do what ever the programmer wants with it, all automatically. Automation is usually how 3rd party websites keep their information updated, a they often are left unchecked.
...A Giant, Redundant, Grapevine
Lets say you open "Bob's Repair Shop" at 123 Main Street in January, (781) 555-0123, BobsRepair.com. Google will see BobsRepair.com, and categorize it accordingly with the information above. After that, dozens of other sites may see it on Google, and add it to the their databases automatically.
So now "Bob's Repair Shop" is listed on dozens of sites as "123 Main Street, 781-555-0123". But you switch phone companies, so you put your new phone number, 781-666-1234, on BobRepair.com, dozens of 3rd party websites now have an outdated phone number for your business. Some of them will update automatically, but most of them won't get the word. The websites you're listed on don't know that you've updated your contact info, so your old phone number will sit there and collect dust, as well as confused customers.
Below is a list of the most common thrid party websites. We've found these sites are most likely to list companies without their knowledge. All you need to do is search for your business on each of these sites, and ensure the information is correct
- Manta.comYelp.com
- MerchantCircle.com
- YellowPages.com
- Local.com
- SuperPages.com
- AutoRepairs.com
- ExtremeWrench.com
- MechanicalAdvisor.com
- AutoMD.com
- DMV.com
Posted: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Last updated: Mon, February 20th, 2012
Don't miss the next training seminar!
Members: $49.95 | Non-Members: $89.95
Posted: Fri, February 10th, 2012
Last updated: Fri, February 10th, 2012
Massachusetts State Lottery Commission
Debit Card Policy
I. Purpose
This Policy permits Lottery Sales Agents to use debit cards as a form of payment for Lottery products. This policy is intended to extend to interested Lottery Sales Agents the convenience of this payment method. However, MSLC does not require any sales agent to accept debit cards.
Posted: Thu, February 2nd, 2012
Last updated: Thu, February 2nd, 2012
U.S. Contemplating Crash Avoidance Mandate in New Cars
The U.S. government will decide next year whether to begin making rules that would mandate vehicle to vehicle communication technology in new cars, according to comments made by the head of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in Michigan this week.
Speaking at the Automotive Megatrends USA 2012 conference on Tuesday, NHTSA Administrator David Strickland was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as saying, "We will make an agency decision in 2013."
According to the report, Strickland said, "We have been working on this notion for over a decade. It's time to go fishing. We're done cutting bait."
The safety administrator said connected-vehicle technology is NHTSA's next major step to reduce traffic fatalities. Connected vehicle technology has the potential to avoid up to 80 percent of crash scenarios, Strickland said.
Posted: Thu, February 2nd, 2012
Last updated: Thu, February 2nd, 2012
SPX to sell auto tools unit for $1.15 billion
After the deal closes, flow equipment -- pumps, filters and other gear used in producing liquids ranging from dairy products to petroleum -- will represent more than half the diversified U.S. manufacturer's roughly $5 billion in annual revenue, with the rest coming from equipment used in power plants and industrial controls.
The company plans to use the proceeds of the sale to pay down its debt, which had risen following its December acquisition of British pump maker ClydeUnion, and to buy back shares.
Chief Executive Chris Kearney said he plans "to build out what has now become the foundation of the company, and that is the flow segment."
A number of analysts noted SPX got a good price for its business. The company said other potential auto-sector buyers had been interested.
SPX shares rose $2.81 to $69.23 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange. Over the past year, SPX shares have fallen by 9.3 percent, while the Standard & Poor's capital goods industry index .GSPIC is up 1.6 percent.
Posted: Thu, January 26th, 2012
Last updated: Thu, January 26th, 2012
SHELL REWARDS ENTICE DEALERS
As Shell begins rollout of its Fuel Rewards Network (FRN) program, some dealers are begging jobbers to rebrand their stations to Shell.
The comprehensive program started with fuel discounts tied to grocery store purchases, but this year is being expanded to other large merchants such as Gap, Home Depot, Staples, Best Buy, Bass Pro and Travelocity. Customers can also obtain fuel discounts with purchases at 11,000 restaurants around the country. And Shell e-coupons for products sold at groceries and drugstores also provide cents-per-gallon discounts.
The program is free and there's no limit to the amount of fuel rewards customers can earn.
Shell marketers can customize special offers promoting extra fuel rewards on products they select. Some examples from Shell's latest brochure:
* Single product: Purchase one Monster Energy Drink, earn 5cts/gal.
* Combo product: Purchase a sandwich and fountain drink, earn 8cts/gal.
* Auto service or carwash: Purchase an oil change or carwash, earn 15cts/gal.
* Continuity: Purchase four coffee or fountain drinks at once or over time at the same station, earn 10cts/gal.
Jan. 23 2012, Oil Express
Posted: Tue, January 24th, 2012
Last updated: Tue, January 24th, 2012
Future of the Service Station Industry Meeting
NESSARA would like to invite all New England Service Station owners, lessees dealers, and commission agents to a meeting on:
Tuesday, January 24th
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Hilton Garden Inn
420 Totten Pond Rd.
Waltham, MA 02451
Some of the topics to be discussed will include:
- Life After the Major Oil Companies
- Rack vs DTW Pricing
- New Competition
- Supply and Demand
Posted: Fri, January 13th, 2012
Last updated: Tue, January 24th, 2012
Upcoming NESSARA Training (POSTPONED) CLASS MOVED TO JAN. 28TH. SAME TIME AND LOCATION.
Contact the NESSARA HQ with any questions you may have
Posted: Wed, December 21st, 2011
Last updated: Fri, January 20th, 2012
2012 The Outlook for Energy: A View to 2040
The Outlook for Energy, ExxonMobil’s long-term view of the world’s energy future.
What do we see over the next 30 years? The answer to that question varies by region, reflecting diverse economic and demographic trends as well as the evolution of technology and government policies.
Posted: Fri, January 6th, 2012
Last updated: Fri, January 20th, 2012
Sinking Gas Demand May Be New Normal
When does a slump become a structural "sea change?"
That's the question suppliers and marketers of gasoline are asking as they wrestle with thus-far anemic gasoline demand numbers in 2012. Year-on-year comparisons should have been helped by hospitable weather this year, in contrast to snow-impeded highway travel in 2011. Yet, for the first week of 2012, MasterCard estimated gasoline demand at just 8.044 million b/d, the lowest number in its seven-year-old company database that tracks motor fuel sales.
Posted: Tue, January 17th, 2012
Last updated: Tue, January 17th, 2012
MEMBERSHIP BENFITS UPDATE
NESSARA Announces New Insurance Agency Endorsement
The New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association is pleased to announce an exciting new addition to the NESSARA Membership Benefits Package. After an extensive search, the association has selected:
Association Benefits Insurance Agency, Inc. (ABI)
as the Endorsed Insurance Products Provider to our Members.
Posted: Tue, December 20th, 2011
Last updated: Wed, December 21st, 2011
EPA REPORT REVEALS POTENTIAL COST OF REVISED TANK REGS
The EPA is working on proposed revisions to underground storage tank regulations that could bringtotal annual compliance costs to as much as $510 million under the worst-case scenario, but saveas much as $700 million in tank leak cleanup costs, according to the agency's cost-benefit analysisobtained by Oil Express.
Posted: Tue, December 20th, 2011
Last updated: Tue, December 20th, 2011
A Special Thank You To Our Scholarship Raffle Event Donors
We would like to thank all who attended for making the 19th Annual Scholarship Raffle Party such a huge success, but we would also like to extend a special thanks to our generous donors.
Click "Read More" To view the list!
Posted: Mon, December 12th, 2011
Last updated: Tue, December 20th, 2011
19th Annual Scholarship Raffle Party
We would like to congratulate all of the prize winners from our 19th Annual Scholarship Raffle Party. We hope everyone had an enjoyable evening, and hope to see everyone back again next year.
$10,000 Prize Winner John Tyson
$2,500 Prize Winner Paul Mireault
$1,000 Prize Winner John D’Ambra
$2,500 Scholarship Winners
Craig Domigan Nine Acres Auto Fitchburg, MA
Taylor Ferry Ferry’s Automotive Inc, Hanson MA
Jabar Sassine Dover Mobil, Dover MA
Posted: Tue, December 6th, 2011
Last updated: Tue, December 20th, 2011
ASA Acquires Management of SDRM
The Automotive Service Association is pleased to announce the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) will now be managed by ASA. The SDRM is a secure method to support immobilizer reset and key code distribution through traditional aftermarket support channels. It helps ensure that only registered security professionals can gain access to vehicle key codes.
Posted: Tue, November 22nd, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
19th Annual Scholarship Raffle Party
NESSARA is kicking off the "2011 Annual Scholarship Raffle" with an early bird drawing of $250 on Nov. 1st, so buy your ticket soon to be included! Only 300 tickets will be sold. Buy 5 tickets to reserve a table of 10, treat your key employees to a night out, and remember your donation is tax deductible. You are supporting a wonderful program - scholarships for your children. (CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION)
Posted: Wed, November 16th, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
Global Partners to buy Alliance Energy in deal valued at $296 million
Global Partners LP said it has agreed to buy 100 percent of the membership interests of Alliance Energy LLC in a transaction with an enterprise value of $296 million.
Posted: Tue, November 22nd, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
Right to Repair Finally Admits They've Been Lying.
Auto Repair tools and information are available, but now they claim cost is the issue
For years the (so–called) Right to Repair (R2R) Coalition has claimed that independent repairers can’t get the necessary tools and information to repair today’s automobiles and that car dealerships are the only businesses that can. NESSARA (the largest independent automotive repair organization in Massachusetts) has spoken out against this view because it’s just not true. Now it appears the R2R Coalition is agreeing with us.
Posted: Fri, November 11th, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
NESSARA Would Like to Congratulate...
Paul Lang
Owner of West Acton Mobil, the 2011 Scholarship Raffle $250 Early Bird Prize Winner!
Posted: Tue, November 1st, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
GULF OIL CHIEF SEES SHRINKING GASOLINE MARKET
Gulf Oil's Chief Executive Joe Petrowski seesU.S.gasoline demand declining sharply in the next seven years and the nation's station count shrinking. However, he is optimistic that smart retailers who can adapt to change will survive shifting market dynamics.
Posted: Wed, November 23rd, 2011
Last updated: Wed, November 23rd, 2011