National Petroleum News (NPN) has been the independent voice of the petroleum industry since 1909 as the opposition to Rockefeller’s Standard Oil. So, motor fuels marketing and retail is not just a sideline for us, it’s our core competency.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/193494
RETAIL OPERATIONS Retailer Concerns Most important Very important Somewhat important Current economy 35% 52% 10% Access to credit 17% 53% 9% 18% 43% Less important Not an issue 1% 2% 17% 4% 9% 44% 20% 9% 44% 10% 1% 2% 3% 61% 17% 18% 1% Healthcare legislation 49% 14% 28% 9% 0% Credit/Debit fee issues 63% 34% 1% 2% 0% Availability/reliability of supply 17% 37% 36% 9% 1% 2% 35% 25% 29% 9% (natural gas, etc.) 10% 17% 18% 27% 28% Future PCI actions 18% 46% 27% 9% 0% Mandated ethanol blends above E1O Fuel Prices Potential labor regulations Reduced fuel demand Supporting alternative fuels industry, each profit center figured in to being the most important for some percentage of operators. Some 29% of respondents had sites that offered automotive service, of which 43% of those would be considered a single-site operator. A clean 21% offered lube service, 64% had at least one car wash at a site and 75% accepted some form of fleet card. Some 67% offered diesel exhaust fluid for clean diesel vehicles with 73% providing that through jugs and 27% through a dispensed bulk solution. Discounts and Loyalty The impact of credit fees and other pressures on retail gasoline profit margins have led some in the industry to look for alternative payment and customer retention vehicles, specifically cash discounts and loyalty programs that can also offer an ACH component that works around typical credit fees. Some 58% offer a loyalty program and 41% a discount for cash. Do you use any of the following security solutions (check all that apply)? As might be expected, the economy was a significant concern for retailers. Fuel prices still registered high on the list, as did the current concerns of the Affordable Care Act. Retailer Concerns It's been another wild year. As might be expected, the economy was a significant concern for retailers. Fuel prices still registered high on the list, as did the current concerns of the Affordable Care Act. Credit card swipe fees continued to be a major issue as did the access to credit. Overall, most issues, aside from ethanol blending, registered as notable concerns. 20 OCTOBER 2013 CCTV/VCR 55% Digital security systems and service 63% Electronic safes 73% Cash handling services 18% Security Solutions A core issue for the industry is providing adequate security for both associates and customers. NPN Magazine decided to take a look at exactly what our readers are doing from a technology/equipment standpoint in this area. Over half still used a CCTV/VCR solution at some of their retail sites. However, 63% made the move to digital surveillance technologies at some of these sites. Over 73% use some type of electronic cash handling safe and 18% use a cash handling service. NPN Magazine n www.npnweb.com