Experienced
drivers, even if their vehicles require high octane fuel, usually go for the
lowest prices. Even a difference of a few pennies per gallon can be significant
enough to sway a decision. But even these scrutinizing consumers will only
compare the prices of the stations in the vicinity of where they decide to
refuel. If they are not down the street from your store when they decide to
stop for gas, then how will they how your prices compare if they can’t see your
sign posted out front?
Brand name
may not be as important as price per gallon, but it certainly is a part of the
consideration. Very young female drivers just starting to drive are a lot more
concerned about brand name fuel than any other category, but it is unclear how
this will impact future trends in fuel purchases, if at all. Association with a
brand name connects your store with vehicle fuel companies and their
environmental mishaps, so be careful how you publicize your store’s
affiliation.
The
customer has to trust the fuel that you are selling will not cause problems
with his or her vehicle, because inexpensive could also mean cheap. You need
not put your fuel affiliation in bright, neon lights, but your customers do
need to be assured that they are purchasing quality fuel from you.
Using
technology, like social media and mobile apps, to advertise prices, brand
names, and cater to types of cars being driven, is one way to encourage
patronage of your store. Technology is also changing the types of cars your
customers are driving. Traditional fossil fuel-burning engines far outnumber
hybrids and totally fossil fuel-free vehicles, but eventually, something will
replace the gasoline that we currently use. More of these kinds of vehicles are
being produced daily, and it follows logically that converters will be used for
the enormous number a fossil fuel-burning engines that already exist.
Preparation
for the coming trends and policies will make the difference between which
stores will survive and which ones will go out of business. If fuel is a major
contribution to your bottom line, then you will definitely want to invest in
the future of fueling different engines to come. Look for machines and devices
that support multiple kinds of systems, if possible, or provide customers with
multiple machines that cater to different types of engines. Diversity is the
key to the future of sustainable fueling stations.