C&I - Convenience & Impulse Retailing

The Australian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS) released its 2026 Mid-Year State of Industry Report in Sydney and Melbourne last week, attracting record attendance with more than 375 industry leaders attending across the two events. CMA’s Brett Barclay presented the latest market insights and performance trends. At a headline level, total convenience in-store sales finished the half down 0.6 per cent in value, while units declined 0.1 per cent.

Image: (Source: Supplied) Maximus has launched Pink Lemonade, a new 1L sports drink flavour rolling out through bp and IGA from August ahead of a national release in September. The addition builds on the brand’s core range, joining Blue, Mango Passionfruit, Grape, Red and Lemonade Ice Block as Suntory looks to capture consumer demand for familiar, nostalgic flavours in the sports hydration category.

Image: (Source: iStock/Julia Gomina) The WA Government has introduced a Bill to Parliament giving FuelWatch permanent legal powers to collect fuel availability data statewide. The Petroleum Products Pricing Amendment Bill 2026 replaces a patchwork system that currently only forces retailers to report fuel shortages during a declared state of emergency, or on a voluntary basis.

Image: (Source: iStock/AKart Design) New Zealand’s Commerce Commission has cleared Kimberly-Clark’s Kenvue takeover, on condition it sells off Kenvue’s feminine hygiene business locally. The clearance forms part of a larger global transaction between the two companies, which are significant suppliers of personal and healthcare products.

Image: (Source: iStock/Faith Moran) Ampol’s convenience retail earnings rose 12 per cent in the first half of 2026, as the wider business saw a surge in profits. Ampol reported Group RCOP EBITDA of $1.637 billion for the half, up 152 per cent on the prior corresponding period, and RCOP EBIT of $1.392 billion.

Image: (Source: iStock/Ralf Hahn) NRMA’s largest ever member survey shows charging access, not price, is now the biggest hurdle standing between EV owners and their cars. Peter Khoury, Spokesperson for the NRMA, says 2026 will be remembered as the year electric vehicles moved from a growing trend to a mainstream shift on Australian roads.

Image: Peter Paulicki, Director at Impulse Retailing. (Source: Supplied) The convenience sector has spent a decade talking about transformation. Now it’s actually happening and the operators who move first will own the next ten years. Travel through convenience markets overseas and a clear pattern emerges. The forecourt is no longer just a place to buy fuel and a coffee. It’s becoming a connected retail environment where the customer, the shop and the pump all talk to each other in real time.

Image: (Source: Supplied) Lowes Petroleum is replacing promotional signage above its fuel bowsers with road safety messages, as part of Rural Road Safety Month. The campaign, titled “One message. One decision. One life”, encourages motorists to slow down, take a break if fatigued and get home safely. Messages including “Tired? Stay a little longer. This break could save your life.” and “Hey you… someone’s waiting. Drive safe.” will greet drivers as they refuel at Lowes sites.

Image: (Source: Australian Border Force) Australian and Chinese customs have busted a syndicate smuggling illicit tobacco worth $92m in evaded duty into Australia. The Australian Border Force (ABF) and China’s Anti-Smuggling Bureau of General Administration of China Customs (ASB) worked together on the operation, dubbed Project SEAHORSE and Operation TRAILBLAZER, after more than 60 people were arrested in China over their alleged involvement in the criminal network.

Image: (Source: Supplied) Asahi Beverages has completed a nationwide shift to 100 per cent recycled plastic across its entire soft drink bottle range, excluding caps and labels. The shift means hundreds of millions of bottles produced in Australia each year now rely on repurposed material rather than new plastic. State-based Container Deposit Schemes have been central to the change, with returned bottles supplying the feedstock needed to keep local recycling plants running at scale.