Introduction

Based on Our essential market data and insight into the country's leading fuel retailers, this brief provides you with an up-to-date picture of the service station retailing market. In addition to outlining site numbers, fuel sales, competitor shares, c-store, car wash and automatic network data, it details retailers' fuels, c-store, car wash and card product offerings.

Scope

*Data and analysis based on an annual programme of research with national service station retailers and delivered in a useable presentation format.

*A country synopsis followed by a market examination of fuel demand and value, total service stations and vehicle numbers for 5 years to January 2009.

*A review of the competitive landscape including fuel sales by service station brand, motorway and unmanned formats and shop and car wash information.

*Insight into the main competitors' propositions for fuels, c-store, food service, cards and car wash as well as ownership and network expansion plans.

Highlights

High pump prices and the economic downturn led to a slow in growth of Irish service station fuel sales in 2008. In 2008 fuel sales grew by 0.7% on the previous year. In comparison, service station fuel sales grew 3.6% between 2006 and 2007. High pump prices increased the value of Irish service station fuel sales by 11% to EUR4,014m in 2008.

The number of service stations in Ireland continued to decrease in 2009. Ireland remains a concentrated market with five branded networks selling 86% of fuel in the country. With the largest network of 289 sites, and the biggest fuel volume market share, Topaz is the leading service station player in Ireland.

Three quarters of service stations in Ireland have a shop. Esso has a joint venture with food service operator Nine One One at 30 stores. 78 Maxol branded sites also feature a Mace convenience store. Half of all service stations in Ireland have a car wash, with the Topaz, Maxol and Texaco branded networks accounting for 67% of sites with a car wash.

Reasons to Purchase

*Develop new marketing ideas for your service station shop, car wash and card propositions by examining the activities of other players across Europe.

*Access a clear overview of the competitive position and operations of key fuel retailers. This is particularly useful for suppliers to the sector.

*Assess how the competitive position of the country's service station brands is evolving and identify new emerging players.