by John Keller | Jun 13, 2014 | Fuel Price Optimization, Fuel Software, Industry News, Retail Fuel Margins
Today’s OPIS report reveals that the average US retail fuel margin increased for the second consecutive week, this time rising $0.025 per gallon to an average of $0.196 per gallon. That raised the year to date retail fuel margin average to $0.164 and the Q2 average to $0.171 per gallon.
For the seventh consecutive week, the six week average increased, this time up $0.007 to hit $0.197 per gallon.
Last year at this time, the average retail fuel margin across the US was $0.152 per gallon. That means after being below last year for two weeks, this year’s average retail fuel margin is back above last year, a position we’ve held this year four times over the past six weeks.
Last year at this time, the average retail fuel margin had three consecutive weeks of increases, capping at a whopping $0.302 per gallon reported on July 5. With the political unrest in Iraq having an impact on the Brent Crude and WTI levels, where they are now trading at the highest levels of the year, it may prove difficult to reach the margin heights we attained last year.
by John Keller | Jun 11, 2014 | Fuel Price Management Solutions, Fuel Pricing Software, Fuel Pricing Technology, Fuel Software, Industry News
Shell Oil Company has added the NCR Radiant POS (RPOS) as a new option for Shell Branded Wholesalers. Shell retailers can now opt for a complete software, hardware and services solution from NCR to reduce costs and enhance customer service.
Shell branded wholesalers not only have a new choice to handle the everyday transactions inside the store and at the fuel pump, but also handle the demands of complex food service operations.
“Consumers have a variety of choices today when it comes to fueling and convenience,” said Eric Stecker, vice president and general manager, Petroleum and Convenience, NCR Retail. “We can now offer Shell branded wholesalers the RPOS solution, allowing them to add mobile, tablet, cloud, and food service solutions that can dramatically reduce wait times, increase customer satisfaction and increase efficiency of operations. NCR looks forward to helping Shell create an improved customer experience – one that separates their service from competitors.”
This is exciting news for PriceAdvantage because NCR Radiant has been a strong integration partner for many years. PriceAdvantage customers including Sheetz, Rutter’s, and Royal Farms have been executing their PriceAdvantage retail fuel price changes through the Radiant POS since 2007 with full confirmation feedback. Now that Shell Oil has added NCR Radiant to their list of available POS systems, we look forward to offering our solution to every Shell fuel retailer.
by John Keller | Jun 6, 2014 | Industry News, Retail Fuel Margins
The OPIS report today revealed that the average retail fuel margin across the US ticked up $0.006 per gallon this week to $0.171 per gallon. That moves the year to date average to $0.163 per gallon and the Q2 average to $0.169 per gallon. The six week average climbed for the sixth consecutive week to $0.190 per gallon.
This same day in 2013 the average retail fuel margin was $0.216 per gallon. But last year at this time, the average retail fuel margin dropped $0.06 per gallon the subsequent week to $0.152. If we can hold our retail fuel margins steady next week, we’ll be above last year for the first time in three weeks.
by John Keller | Jun 6, 2014 | Customer News, Fuel Pricing Software, Industry News
For the first time, a US company has won the International Convenience Retailer of the Year award – Rutter’s was named the winner by the National Association of Convenience Stores in London.
“We’ve been very fortunate to be recognized by both our customers as well as our industry peers as the best not only locally in our central Pennsylvania marketplace, but also nationally and now internationally,” said Rutter’s CEO, Scott Hartman, “when you consider the impressive companies that entered, we take great pride in winning such a prestigious award and it feels especially great to know that we’re the first chain to bring this recognition home to the U.S.”
We at PriceAdvantage couldn’t be more proud. We’ve been working with Rutter’s since 2007, and they have been a great partner. View a short video here to listen to Gabe Olives, vice chair of Conexxus and a member of the PriceAdvantage Customer Advisory Board, explain why Rutter’s selected PriceAdvantage.
This prestigious award recognizes technology leadership as part of their criteria, so it feels good to contribute to their success. Congratulations Rutter’s!
by John Keller | May 30, 2014 | Fuel Price Management Solutions, Fuel Pricing Software, Industry News, Retail Fuel Margins
May finished with a whimper as retail fuel margins dropped $0.023 per gallon according to the OPIS report released today. The average retail fuel margin across the US is now $0.165 per gallon, returning to the level last seen four weeks ago.
The year to date average is $0.162 while the Q2 average is $0.168 and the six week average is $0.185.
This equivalent week last year, retail fuel margins jumped $0.09 per gallon. With the drop this year and the increase last year, the current retail fuel margin now stands $0.053 per gallon below this time last year. That marks the first time since May 2 that retail fuel margins this year are below last year.
Now that the Memorial Day holiday is behind us, we settle into the strong and steady summer driving volumes. From a fuel price management perspective, that means careful monitoring of margins and using every trick of the trade to maximize and optimize so we can get the most of what this season has to offer. Often times that means making multiple price changes in a single day, especially when the store manager at the competitor across the street has gone home for the day and there is no one there to respond to your price changes. Thanks to the patented technology licensed exclusively to PriceAdvantage, rapid and frequent price changes are as easy as clicking a mouse and watching the magic happen.
