Metro Dealers GET PUMPED in Fiji

Metro Petroleum dealers and partners have assembled at the 10th annual Metro Pumped Conference in Fiji.

Metro PUMPED Conference 2025

Delayed flights did not reduce the energy of the of the casual welcome by the beach where delegates quickly got to networking and ‘local product sampling” bullahabibi

Despite a “festive” start to the event 200 odd delegates all came together this morning for some serious work at the Business Sessions presented by IPL Retail Group.

Sportscaster and personality Andrew Voss, the event MC, proudly presented by Red Bull, opened the event by calling on delegates to be open and engaged through the business and networking sessions with a reminder “If it doesn’t challenge you…it doesn’t change you”.

The floor was then passed onto Metro Retail and Sales Manager Elie Dib who celebrated the growth of the event over the last 10 years.

“10 years ago this Conference was 23 people. This year 200 of us are here today. This growth is because of everyone in this room. We have grown together. From 118 sites then to 300 sites now. This is something we can all be proud of”, said Elie.

Andrew Sylvester, Metro Buying Group Manager, was joined by Eric Hancock from Asahi Beverages, Renee Waterman from Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Nicholas Baltas from Bega Group, Christopher Wong from Suntory Oceania and India Gooding from Red Bull.

Packaged beverage is now the biggest category in store, energy is the biggest segment of this. This growth, 70% of it, is driven by NPD …but the core SKUs remain integral to range success.

Daniel Nassif from Nuvei provided the group with the latest on payments hardware and software across the network before sharing a broader context of the role of payment in shaping customer experience in Australia.

Alan Plews, Metro Cheif Operating Officer, lead a deep dive into the core hot food offering. The message is familiar but important…quality, consistency and range are everything, that and N.O.O.S.E (Never Out Of Stock Ever)! Again NPD is leading growth but the core range is critical to maintain customer satisfaction.

Alison Pepper from Homemade Food Co, with Dean Sultana from Villies and Joel Smith from Patties hosted the Metro Food Game Show was a raucous hit where delegates competed on food trivia…who knew 75% of all hot food in the network is sold between 05:00 and 09:00 !

John Chidiac, Metro Business Relationship Manager then provided insights into the destination and engagement category of ice cream.

Daren Bonlan from Magnum Ice Cream and Norm Issa for Metro’s own Mr Whippy reminded the delegates of the critical nature of stockholding…particularly when the sun is out.

Tim Kelly from WEX provided a closed door update on the MetroCard offer.

As the Business Sessions continued Brent Green from BAT updated delegates on the tobacco category.

Elie Dib returned to the stage to talk promo compliance and the focus on innovation, collaboration and incremental improvement to drive growth.

“From high level store takeover promotions, to sites specific ‘trend’ promos, collaboration and innovation is driving our success”, explained Elie.

The PUMPED program performance has been driving instore promo compliance and network growth. The results of this focus is coming through with 48 stores got over 90% on the promo compliance and networking wide increases in fuel volumes by 10% in the last 12 months.

ESG is also a focus for the next 12 months. Investment in solar, recycled consumables and structured partnerships including with fuel partner Mobil. Aaron Incoll from Mobil Australia outlined the steps Mobil are taking now to ease the transition including investing heavily in lower emission initiatives and renewables.

Robby Sawhney from IPL Retail Group outlined the journey of this key Metro partner as they control growth and focus on serving customers.

Selini Alamita Hala Hala and Rob Scott from Gilbarco Veeder-Root provided delegates with an update on pumps and payment innovation.

Damien Fleming, cricket legend, delighted, challenged and energised delegates with a rowdy, fun and poignant keynote presentation.

Learning done for the day the Metro Petroleum dealers headed to the Welcome Dinner presented by Nuvei to unwind as the sun went down over paradise.

The dancing (and questionable singing) continued at the Suntory Oceania afterparty where delegates were first treated to a kava ceremony…then tortured with a karaoke tournament. A good time had by all.

Metro Survivor

Brains and bodies were put to the test at the Metro Petroleum Pumped Conference at the (highly competitive) Metro Survivor challenge on the beautiful Mala Mala Island Fiji. Presented by Bega Group delegates tested their wits with a cryptic treasure hunt that ended in a traditional BBQ followed by the highly contested Metro Olympics!

Not everyone walked away from the cricket, volleyball and kayaking victorious…but everyone had fun in the sun!

Metro Food Festival

After a full on day in the sun a relaxed and festive evening was on the cards for the delegates at the 10th annual Metro Petroleum Pumped Conference…and the Pumped Food Festival, powered by Asahi Beverages, absolutely delivered. Food, fun and Fiji vibes late in to the night was a perfect place to network and unwind, with very special guest Havana Brown pumping the beats for the competitive dance off!

Metro Gala Awards Dinner

A conference is an opportunity to celebrate excellence and those that have gone above and beyond, and the 10th annual Metro Petroleum Pumped Conference is no exception. Supported by Mobil Australia the Metro Awards celebrate excellence in 2025…and the Award goes to…

Supplier of the Year Awards 2025

The success of retail businesses depends on hard work and on the quality of supplier partnerships. All suppliers were congratulated and thanked for their ongoing support, but the 2025 awards went to;

– Carbonated Beverages – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
– Non Carbonated Beverages – Asahi Beverages
– Energy Beverages – Suntory Oceania
– Dairy Beverages – Bega Group
– Ice Cream – Peters Ice Cream
– Snack – PepsiCo
– Confectionery – Nestlé
– Food – Patties Food Group
– General Merchandise – IPL Retail Group
– Telecommunications – amaysim
– Direct to Store Distributor – JB Metropolitan Distributors

Metro Olympics 2025

The culmination of highly contested challenges throughout the event (Trivia, Karaoke, Treasure Hunt, Kayaking, Volleyball, Cricket, Image Challenge) the coveted Metro Olympics winners were announced.

Thanks to Bega Group and Asahi Beverages the chosen charity of the medal winning teams take home cash;

– Gold Medal Winner – Team Habibi – prize of $12,500 will be split equally between Super T and the Schoolchildren of Fiji charity

– Silver Medal Winner – Team Elite – prize of $5,000 to SuperT who provide support and fun to kids in hospital

– Bronze Medal Winner – Sly Suppliers – prize of $2,500 to The Ponting Foundation who support kids suffering with cancer

Retailers of the Year Awards 2025

– NSW Store of the Year – Metro Petroleum Cliftleigh
– ACT – Metro Petroleum Phillip
– VIC – Metro Petroleum Broadmeadows
– QLD – Metro Petroleum Marsden
– WA/SA – Metro Petroleum Bassendean