Page 11 - Conveniece World Magazine Nov/Dec 2020

products we sell, and higher rent and taxes, but as a long term partner in serving local communities across Australia, employing local people, shifting the dependency on the corporates for volume, and recognising the important role of independent local businesses in Australia. I would like to take an opportunity to thank each retailer in the New Sunrise family for their determination, resilience and positivity throughout 2020, and congratulate the industry and representing bodies for their efforts in working together to overcome the challenges. Best wishes for a year of health and prosperity in 2021. NightOwl Convenience Senior Marketing and Communications Coordinator Glenys Tristram It’s a fitting time \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\[written in October\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\] to reflect on the past 12 months, as the buying and marketing team at NightOwl have already finalised promotions for January 2021. Time flies and, yes, we’re already in the next year. Firstly, we want to congratulate all our NightOwl franchisees and staff on pulling together through this tough 2020. We’ve seen a display of kindness and care for fellow team members and customers that’s worthy of a minor celebration. In discussing impact, stores located in city centres and tourism areas were hit the hardest in lost customers and sales, yet they’ve all managed to survive. Challenges included issues with supply chains due to shutdown restrictions, working with evolving Covid-safe handling and cleaning procedures, and keeping to the social distancing requirements. Many stores needed to reduce their trading hours through the past eight months. However, now, in the last week of October, these hours are mostly back to pre- Covid times. It’s not all been terrible. A number of company stores have been sold, and we’ve welcomed new franchisees TO PAGE 10 PETROL & CONVENIENCE SUMMARY NOV/DEC, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 9