Tom Venetis

Contributing columnist, OCTANE

Author Profile

Tom Venetis is a 30+ year journalism veteran, starting as a business reporter with Canadian Press and later went on to cover Canada’s fast-growing technology business sector in the 90s and early 2000s for many B2B and news organizations. He is now a respected automotive business writer and commentator, appearing on CBC Radio. The former associate editor of Convenience Store News Canada and OCTANE Magazine, is now a freelance contributor and author of the Charging Ahead Column. Tom is also an avid book and jazz and classical record collector.

ARTICLES BY THIS AUTHOR

10/14/2026
Car wash insurance: protect your equipment, staff and profits
Don’t let unexpected losses wash away your profits. Learn how to conduct a proper risk assessment and tailor a policy that protects your car wash equipment, staff and bottom line.

Tom Venetis
9/27/2026
Navigating the new fuel frontier
How forward-thinking operators can leverage agility and innovation to drive growth amid market volatility.

Tom Venetis
9/27/2026
Charging ahead: Navigating the new fuel frontier
How forward-thinking operators can leverage agility and innovation to drive growth amid market volatility.

Tom Venetis
9/27/2026
Navigating the new fuel frontier
How forward-thinking operators can leverage agility and innovation to drive growth amid market volatility.

Tom Venetis
9/15/2026
How smart is your car wash?
From streamlining staff management to predicting customer churn, AI-driven tools are helping operators manage daily operations, maximize efficiency and reimagine the customer journey.

Tom Venetis
8/18/2026
End of an era for the Husky brand in Canada
Following regulatory clearance, the sale of Husky and Cenovus travel centres to BVD Petroleum concludes after an 18-month divestment process, marking a shift in the retail fuel landscape.

Tom Venetis
6/15/2026
How will gas prices threaten summer road trips?
With political volatility and fuel costs in flux, loyalty programs offer a vital way for c-gas retailers to combat price-tracking apps and ease customer fears.

Tom Venetis
6/4/2026
The car wash as the third pillar of profitability
Experts discuss how this essential service now drives high-value customer traffic and loyalty to convenience and fuel operations.

Tom Venetis
4/12/2026
Protection, shine and scent: The latest car wash innovations operators need to know
From advanced coatings to sensory enhancements, car wash operators are using new chemistry and technology to add value, improve results and elevate the customer experience.

Tom Venetis
2/4/2026
What does dropping tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles mean for Canada?
Far from an existential threat, inexpensive EVs could change the auto marketplace for the better.

Tom Venetis
1/21/2026
Marvel and Oreo collaborate on Marvel-inspired cookie packs
Oreo’s cookie packs featuring Avengers, Spider-Man, X-Men and Fantastic Four will debut in Canada on February 2.

Tom Venetis
1/20/2026
Hyper-personalization, the fuel driving c-gas loyalty programs
Ditching ‘one-size-fits-all’ points systems is essential. Industry leaders are winning by leveraging data, gamification and exclusive services to build deeper, more meaningful engagement with customers.

Tom Venetis