BP Returns to California Fuels Market
Circle K Testing Bitcoin ATMs
SFO Bans Plastic Water Bottle Sales

BP RETURNS TO CALIFORNIA FUELS MARKET

SAN DIEGO, CA. — After a five year absence from the California commercial fuel sales market, BP has announced they will be returning to the market and begin supplying fuel as of September.

"We're back," said Willie Truemper III, BP West Coast Products, Blaine, WA. Serving as business development manager for Fuels, North America, Truemper reported that unbranded commercial fuel sales of gasoline and diesel would be underway in Northern California before the end of the third quarter.

"We have a pretty big marketing presence with Arco in Northern California," said Truemper, "so it was a natural extension. We're starting set-ups now."

As for supply to Southern California, Truemper said "there is no firm date, but it's definitely Phase II."

CIRCLE K TESTING BITCOIN ATMS

PHOENIX, AZ. — Circle K is testing Bitcoin ATMs in Arizona and Nevada, looking to see if the demand for the crypto-currency is high enough to expand the program across its c-stores.

Circle K has installed a total of 20 Bitcoin ATMs in Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Tucson, Flagstaff, Surprise, and Maricopa, Arizona as well as sites in Las Vegas.

Customers can buy up to $20,000 in Bitcoin per day from the ATMs. DigitalMint, which operates the crypto-currency ATMs, charges 12% per transaction.

"We are thrilled to be partnering with a respected organization like Circle K," stated Marc Grens, president of DigitalMint, announcing the deal. "This opens the door for massive expansion of Bitcoin access to new markets around the globe."

Joel Konicke, Category Manager, Circle K Stores, added, "Partnering with DigitalMint allows us to provide our customers with seamless access to Bitcoin at a very reasonable price."

SFO BANS PLASTIC WATER BOTTLE SALES

SAN FRANCISCO, CA. — The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has banned the sale of single-use plastic water bottles within the airport.

The ban, which took effect at the end of August, will apply to all shops, restaurants, cafes and vending machines in the airport. Not included in the ban are flavored water, sodas, or other flavored beverages in plastic bottles.

Fliers who are looking for plain water to quench their thirst will need to use refillable aluminum or glass bottles. If brought from home by the passenger, the bottles must be empty passing through the TSA inspection but they can be refilled in one of SFO's 100-plus water filling stations.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, SFO sold over 10,000 plastic water bottles a day to passengers prior to the ban.

"We're the first airport that we're aware of to implement this change," stated SFO spokesman Doug Yakel. "We're on the leading edge for the industry, and we want to push the boundaries of sustainability initiatives."

Originally published in the October 2019 issue of O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2019 by KAL Publications Inc.