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

After a sustained period of site closures, the number of service stations actually grew in 2008, albeit by only 0.1% to 9,283 in 2009. This is the first increase since 1997. The fuel retailing market remains fragmented, with the main five fuel retailers selling a combined share of 55% of service station fuel.

Tesco has the third largest fuel volume share in the country at 13%. However, at over 11 million litres per site it has the highest fuel throughput in the UK. Tesco sells LPG at six service stations. In addition, the grocer is expanding its alternative fuel offer by trialling electric car battery charging at two sites in London.

TOTAL has 433 car washes, equating to an 8% share of service station car washes in the UK. Its jet wash and vacuum services start at £2 a wash while RAC members receive a 50% discount. TOTAL also offers a pre-pay Car Wash Card that is accepted at 115 locations and provides a discount of up to 20%.

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.