The recent spell of hot weather has delivered an interesting beverage boost to business at Maxol, with iced coffee sales soaring by 215% during the hottest days of June (22 – 26) as customers sought refreshing ways to cool down.

The prolonged sunshine and rocketing temperatures transformed customer habits almost overnight, with many swapping their usual hot beverages for chilled coffee creations. From classic iced lattes to flavoured iced coffees, demand reached record levels at Maxol, making it one of the busiest weeks ever for the forecourt convenience retailer’s cold coffee drinks menu.

With more than 5 million cups of Maxol’s proprietary ROSA Coffee selling in 2025 it remains a customer favourite but, with people looking at ways to beat the heat in recent weeks, the iced variation saw a significant sales spike at Maxol stores across the country.

“Iced coffee is a relatively new addition to our stores and the strong demand during the recent warm weather highlights its growing appeal,” said Brian Donaldson, CEO, Maxol. “While iced coffee currently represents a modest proportion of overall coffee sales, the trend suggests changing consumer habits that could extend well beyond the summer months.”

184% rise in ice cream sales

In addition to iced coffee, Maxol noticed a wider trend of consumers adapting their purchasing habits during periods of warm weather, with the number of ice creams purchased in stores rising by an incredible 184% during the sweltering end of June period.

The HB King Cone Cornetto was the number one best seller, followed by the hugely popular 99 cone, with HB’s Iceberger and Magnum in hot pursuit at numbers three and four, respectively.

“Everyone is looking for refreshing ways to cool down and, combined with people taking more day trips and holidays, there’s been a surge in demand for iced coffee and ice creams,” said Brian Donaldson. “Even though it’s a seasonal pattern we see year after year, this June has proven to be one of our busiest ever for chilled products.”

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Mr Dixon brings more than 20 years of retail and commercial leadership experience to the role, including nine years with Circle K Ireland, where he has progressed through a series of increasingly senior leadership positions spanning operations, retail execution and commercial growth.

Most recently, as Business-to-Business, Mobility and Sales (BMS) Director, he led Circle K Ireland’s commercial business, including its network of independently operated Circle K locations, fuel card services and bulk fuel supply operations.

From 2019 until joining the BMS team in 2025, Mr Dixon served as Retail Director of Operations, with responsibility for Circle K’s 170 company-operated locations across Ireland. In that role, he played a key role in driving operational excellence, efficiency and business performance, while building strong, high-performing teams.

Mr Dixon succeeds Ciara Foxton, who has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Operations for Circle K Mid-Europe & Asia.

Commenting on his appointment, Paul Dixon, incoming Managing Director, Circle K Ireland, said:

“I am delighted to be taking on the leadership of Circle K Ireland and humbled to have the opportunity to lead a business and team that I know so well. Having worked across several areas of Circle K Ireland over the past nine years, I have seen first-hand the commitment of our people and retail partners to serving customers and communities across Ireland every day.

“As Ireland’s market-leading forecourt and convenience retailer, Circle K has continued to evolve its offer to meet the changing needs of our customers, from food, coffee and convenience to fuel, EV charging and alternative fuels. I look forward to building on that momentum, supporting the continued development of our people, working closely with our retail partners and continuing to deliver great experiences for customers across our retail and commercial businesses.”

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CSNA surveyed fuel retailing members in June to learn how this growing problem was affecting them, what assistance they received from the Gardai and Courts Service and what might be done to reduce our losses.

“While there is merit in adopting a pre-pay policy, this may only be effective if all of the service stations in the vicinity adopt such a policy” said CSNA CEO Vincent Jennings.

“It also requires accepting that many owners are unwilling to alienate or create barriers for their loyal and trustworthy customers.

“Fuel drive offs,  often dismissed as petty theft, have soared alarmingly in recent months and are hurting  Irish retailers. Our survey discovered that 68% of respondents lose between €50-€100 weekly. This average annual loss of €4,000 extended across 2000 fuel outlets would indicate a conservative estimate for fuel drive offs to be €8m … and growing.

“Retailers report significant uptick  in the number of incidents contributing to financial strain on an already challenging industry. The repercussions extend beyond immediate monetary loss, they ripple through the operational costs, forcing price adjustments and increased security expenditure, creating a cycle that ultimately impacts everyday consumers.

“Gardai have stepped up warnings to retailers, urging vigilance and the adaption of preventative measures to stem the growing issue. Yet while increased watchfulness is a good start, the solution lies deeper in technology and convenience.”

The CSNA survey was answered by 96 owners representing 214 individual service stations.

All have experienced a drive-off in the past 3 months.

70% reported an increase in drive offs in their outlets in the past 3 months.

On frequency, 80% replied “weekly,” 17% said “daily” and 3% responded “monthly ”

CSNA also asked a question about the prevalence of fuel thieves using “false”, “stolen ” or “cloned” number plates:

• Once or twice- 35%
• Three to five times -38%
• More than five times-27%.

Many members commented that presentation of a logbook should be compulsory for anyone seeking licence plates.

There was a degree of dissatisfaction that the Automatic Number Plate recognition system used in Garda vehicles is not more successful in identifying users of false plates .

The  intention  of the survey is to investigate drive offs and non-payment.

“We asked members to discount any incidences of “genuine forgetfulness ” and sought from them the ratio of drive offs- (the driver not coming into the store) and those who elected to either declare they didn’t get fuel, or if their method of payment was declined, did not return to clear their indebtedness” said Vincent.

“70% were drive offs and the other 30% are in the category “payment issues”. Interestingly, we were advised by some retailers that during the recent blockades, on several occasions, motorists refused to pay more than what they had paid the previous occasion they filled up!”

Reporting to An Garda Siochana.

CSNA asked, do you report fuel drive-offs to the Guards.

• All of the time- 42%
• Most incidents are reported- 36%
• Only significant incidents are reported- 22%.

CSNA also asked “On the most recent interaction with the Gardai regarding a drive off/non payment, what was the response time?”

• Less than 2 hours- 26%
• Less than 6 hours – 11%
• Less than 12 hours – 14%
• Less than 24 hours – 11%
• 24-48 hours – 18%
• More than 48 hours – 20%

Compensation/Restitution

• 50% said “sometimes “
• 45% said “never,
• 5% replied “always”.

This compensation/ restitution relates to culprits apprehended by the Gardai and advised to pay for the fuel before a Court hearing.

Finally, CSNA invited members to make observations or suggestions on preventing this growing concern:

• Many respondents argued that there should be a system in place to provide information about the contact details of the registered car owners, a system that the owners of toll roads in Ireland have to track down those who fail to pay for the M50 .
• Much stiffer penalties, including the impounding of vehicles used in what is, after all, a crime.
• A central data base to alert service stations about known offenders.

A nationwide protocol to be adopted by all investigating Gardai who will be familiar with the entitlement of a victim, be they a sole trader or a company to receive compensation from the perpetrator by way of a Court Order or Attatchment Order.

The Programme for Government has referred to grants for Retail Security- this coming Budget needs to provide detailed information on this.

The Association has sought meetings with both An Garda Siochana and the Department of Justice to progress this matter.

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Specifically, RGDATA calls for the full and timely implementation of the Cost of Business Advisory Forum Report and for the recommendations from that Report which require budgetary measures to be implemented in Budget 2027.

RGDATA Director General Tara Buckley said:

“Budget 2027 must deliver measures that deliver a meaningful reduction in Business Costs. This is essential given the emphasis this Government has put on the establishment of the Cost of Business Forum and commentary from the Taoiseach and senior ministers that the work of the Forum will be recognised and acted upon.

If Budget 2027 does not enact the budgetary measures identified in the Cost of Business Advisory Forum Report 2027, then the commitments in the Programme for Government on business costs and the comments of the Taoiseach and senior Ministers will be counted as purely aspirational and worthless in practical terms.”

The RGDATA submission also calls for measures to address employment costs, insurance costs and reducing the red tape burden on independent convenience/grocery stores by 30%.

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Irish consumers have saved more than 125,000 Surprise Bags from cult burrito chain Boojum using the surplus food app Too Good To Go. By preventing these meals from going to waste, Boojum and Too Good To Go have collectively helped to avoid the equivalent of 337,500kg in CO2e emissions. This is equal to 2,365 flights from Dublin to London.

This achievement demonstrates the success of Boojum’s ongoing partnership with Too Good To Go, which forms a core part of its sustainability focus and commitment to making every meal count. Through the partnership, Irish and UK consumers can secure Boojum’s great food at a tasty discount, simply by using the Too Good To Go app. Hitting the milestone of saving 125,000 meals from going to waste is a figure that shows just how much these individual actions can add up over time.

Since the partnership launched in 2023, users have been able to rescue surplus food from more than 18 Boojum stores across Ireland and the UK. Too Good To Go users can expect to find a variety of items such as Boojum’s famous burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, nachos, and signature salads in each Surprise Bag rescued from participating locations.

Machaela O’Leary, Key Accounts Manager at Too Good To Go, said: “The demand for Boojum on the app has been incredible. Reaching a milestone like this shows just how much Irish consumers care about reducing food waste, and how much they love getting a great deal. This is exactly what Too Good To Go offers, and there is plenty more to come. Saving food and saving money is a no-brainer.”

Robert Powell, Head of Operations at Boojum, said: “Our partnership with To Good To Go has been a phenomenal success since launching in 2023. The platform allows us to efficiently minimise our food waste, helping us to deliver on our wider sustainability objectives, whilst at the same time introducing Boojum to hundreds of new customers a week, a win win!”

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