Esso remains the biggest brand in forecourt retailing, with Shell edging ahead of BP as the oil giant with the second most pole signs. Meanwhile, Asda is the fastest mover in the industry with the supermarket group more than doubling its estate following its acquisition of EG and Co-op sites. Among the smaller brands, Jet has also enjoyed strong growth throughout the year.
These are some of the key findings from Forecourt Trader’s Fuel Market Review for 2024, which, drawing on data from myAutomate and a survey that we send to the oil companies and supermarkets, paints a detailed picture of the structure of the sector, breaking down the market by fuel brand, type of ownership, and region. There is also information from Allstar Business Solutions on sales by fuel grade and price trends, as well as the size of the electric vehicle charging network, and car sales by type of engine.
The report shows that the number of forecourts at 8,337 is only slightly down on the year before at 8,354, and that premium grade fuel – both diesel and unleaded – is on the rise, despite the cost of living crisis.
The publication also looks at the wider economic and political issues facing the forecourt sector, as well as focusing on future trends and technologies, with a profile of a retailer who has had success selling hydrotreated vegetable oil on pump, and a look at the uptake of hydrogen.
Packed with data and analysis, this year’s Fuel Market Review is available for free by registering for access.