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FLUCTUATIONS IN GAS PRICES

A sinking loonie and rising carbon taxes are among the things that could end low gas prices this year. Canadians can expect a volatile year for gas prices, says a new forecast.

Canadian drivers are enjoying some of the lowest gas prices in years. However, don’t expect that to last through 2019, says price comparison site GasBuddy.

In a report issued Wednesday, GasBuddy analyst Dan McTeague warned Canadians. The warning said to be prepared for “a wild ride at the pump” this year.

“Canadian motorists can expect a year of extreme volatility at the pumps for 2019. As the world markets move sharply in varying directions for the foreseeable future,” McTeague wrote.

Traders are uncertain which way the global economy is going. Therefore, the oil prices are likely to swing wildly in the months ahead. However, at the start of the spring season, there can be price fluctuations. Later, The Canadians could see the highest prices at the pumps since 2014, McTeague said.

The loonie has lost 10 cents U.S. in value over the past year. It is enough to push gas prices up by 2.5 cents a litre. On top of that, eight of 10 Canadian provinces are bringing some changes. Therefore, it shall be the introduction of a new carbon tax this year. Additionally, or an increase to their existing one by April 1.

CLIMATE CHANGE & OIL PRICES

This “will almost certainly force up the cost of filling your tank. Hence, Just in time for the summer driving season and switchover to more expensive summer gasoline,” McTeague wrote.

The federal government is introducing a carbon tax in provinces without their own plan. The reason is to combat climate change. This will automatically result in the tax that will translate into an extra five cents per litre on gas prices. Ottawa plans to send rebate cheques to consumers in those provinces to offset the additional cost.

MC-Teague Said Vancouver shall overtake Montreal this year as the North American city with highest gas prices taxes. The province of British Columbia is all set to increase its taxes. This includes Trans Link Tax and a carbon tax on 1st April, all in connection with Vancouver takeover from Montreal.

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“IF WE GO INTO A GLOBAL RECESSION ALL BETS ARE OFF”

But there is one thing that could alter that forecast and bring lower gas prices. A global recession, something a growing number of experts say could be just around the corner.

“If we go into a global recession all bets are off,” McTeague told Huff Post Canada. “The price of every commodity would absolutely collapse. But I don’t see that happening.”

A new agreement between the U.S. and China that ends the trade conflict between the world’s two largest economies. This would be enough to calm nerves about a global recession, McTeague said.

In the meantime, Canadians are enjoying some of the lowest gas prices in years. Thanks to rapidly dropping prices in December, the average gas prices in Canada was around $1.02 per liter on Jan. 2, the lowest average since July of 2017.

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When it comes to dining, convenience continues to be top of mind for consumers. Online food ordering, on-demand expectations hectic schedules and fast delivery options are changing the way people eat. They are increasingly looking for speed and ease without sacrificing quality, taste and variety. Delivery is not only part of customer service, but it is also part of the unique serving mechanisms.

SUCCESS STARTS WITH MENU SELECTION:

DELIVERING CONSISTENT QUALITY:

•  Use open-mouth containers and place near the top of the bag
•  Refrain from using Styrofoam
•  Insert napkins between fry containers to absorb steam
•  Vented packaging to release steam and preserve crispness
•  Clear packaging to ensure accuracy
•  Separate hot and cold items
•  Place condiments on the side
•  Seal delivery bag to avoid tampering
•  Finally, consider setting a delivery radius. Limiting the distance travelled to within a few kilometres of your restaurant to ensure food arrives hot and fresh.

AddÉnergie is getting $4.5 million from Quebec, $1.5 million from Ottawa,
as well as an undisclosed investment from Quebec’s pension fund manager. The Quebec and federal government along with the province’s pension fund manager. They are investing new money into a Quebec City-based company with Govt. back-up. A company that makes charging stations for electric car. Hence, Quebec will invest $4.5 million in AddÉnergie, acquiring a stake in the company. While, the federal government will give the company $1.5 million said the representatives. A statement from both governments at a joint press conference.

At the same time, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. They also announced an investment in the electric car company, i.e. its second. The dollar value of that investment was not disclosed.

Louis Tremblay, the company’s president and CEO, said AddÉnergie plans to use the money to support a plan. He also claimed that they intend to double the size — and production — of its factory in Shawinigan.

The new investments will also help the company “maintain our competitive advantage”. Furthermore, continue its expansion into the United States, Tremblay said.

In use in Canada and the United States built by AddEnergie are the recharging stations. Hence, there are currently 13,000 electric car recharging stations with Govt. backing.

AddÉnergie also operates the Flo network of electric car charging stations. Step-wise, which it says is the second-largest network of electric car charging stations in North America.

The company also makes charging stations for electric car used by Hydro-Québec in its Circuit électrique charging network.

The federal government announced that it will be giving $5 million to Hydro-Québec to expand that network. A huge step immensely showing the back-up of Govt. w.r.t. the circumstances.

QUEBEC SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS:

Electric Car is a huge step in terms of the environmental factors and improving the climate change issues. Thus, the backing by the Government in this regards will definitely help in making Quebec a pollution free province. A plan that is for the sustainable future and environment of Quebec making it safe for all. Quebec, is indeed a rich province highly attracted by many migrants.

Gone are the days of a one-sided definition of “healthy.” Today, healthy can mean many different things to different consumers. For example like high protein, gluten-free, keto, paleo, vegan, organic, local, fresh, all-natural, free from artificial ingredients. Furthermore, they are preservative-free and non-GMO.

IMPORTANCE OF HEALTH & WELLNESS:

As health and wellness take on a larger role in consumers’ day-to-day lives. Their snack choices are evolving to match their lifestyle needs. In fact, 41 per cent of consumers want snacks to provide an energy boost. Hence, while 80 per cent are willing to pay more for snacks with health attributes. According to The Hartman Group’s The Future of Snacking study.

“We’ve seen changes in the industry as certain fads have come and gone, [but] we are also seeing a trend that consumers are willing to spend more money on great-tasting, high-quality, healthy snacks, and manufacturers are filling that demand,” said Paige Brown, director of marketing at Stryve Biltong Snacks, a maker of meat snacks.
Just as today’s definition of healthy continues to evolve, so does the demographics of the healthy snack consumer. Healthy eating is becoming the new norm for men and women. This is irrespective of young and old. As they grow more mindful of nutrition and the role it plays in their everyday lives is huge.

However, if there is one thing that rings true across healthy snack consumers. It is that they’ll flex different food values on different occasions.

“In terms of pre-packaged snacks. You see a lot of different need states represented in different ways than in the past,” said Betsy Frost. Betsy is the director of platform marketing innovation at General Mills Convenience. “‘Healthy’ snacking was for a time about low-calorie options. Where you often traded taste or texture of the ‘real thing’ for a lower calorie option or portion-controlled 100-calorie pack. Now, we see healthy snacking mirror the core values of the consumers.”

LIKING OF SHOPPERS & CONSUMERS:

As shoppers seek out brands that align with how they see themselves. Hence, more and healthier snack brands are emerging in the packaged snacks categories. Three macro trends that are driving this, according to Minneapolis-based General Mills Convenience, are:

1.The changing of food values.

Consumers are looking for more real food experiences.

2.Consumers’ changing eating habits.

“People snack more throughout the day and are looking for snacks to do more jobs. Hence, its for them in comparison to what they have in the past. These are such as a meal replacement or mini-meal. Includes a before- or after-workout supplement, or a mental or energy boost,” Frost explained.

3.The boom of the food entrepreneur.

“With more snacks being in more non-traditional outlets, food entrepreneurs have found it easier to turn a home hack that served their personal needs into thriving, purpose-driven organizations,” she added.

Kirk Bailey, product director of grocery and snacks at convenience distributor McLane Co. Inc., identifies an additional trend he finds to be relevant to the topic: an increase in the amount of awareness of how someone’s diet can directly correlate with their health.

“As these health-conscious consumers become more educated on how to live a healthy lifestyle, they will continue to seek items that have simple ingredients and attributes that have a positive effect on their health vs. just grabbing anything to hold them over until their next meal,” said Bailey.
Amid this continuing shift, convenience store retailers shouldn’t miss out on the opportunity to serve healthy snack consumers — across all of their varied need states.

So, what’s the best way for c-store retailers to offer healthier snacks to their customers?

McLane’s Bailey suggests they incorporate a small section within their salty snack set that includes six to nine items that are in a highly visible area of the set, such as the top right corner.

Then, if retailers find these items do well for their stores, they should consider expanding to a three-foot “Better-for-You” endcap, preferably in a prime location within the store that lets customers know these healthier items are available.

Courtesy: Convenience Store News