09:54 Gap between expensive and “cheap” consumables widening

With the current high gas prices, more and more people are adapting their refueling behaviour. We refuel where it is most economical. The differences between a “cheap” gas station and an expensive gas station are also increasing, UnitedConsumers director Paul van Selms told NU.nl.

“We are currently dealing with a mix of high prices and deep discounts,” said the market expert. “People are more aware of prices and act accordingly.”

We refuel in different places than we are used to. For example, the wholesaler Makro, which offers even more substantial discounts than other unmanned filling stations, has to work every day. “Gross margins (the difference between the purchase price and the sale price, note from the editors) have doubled in twenty years,” says Van Selms.

“All costs still have to come down, but it was no different than now. So there is much more room for a discount.” This is especially true for unmanned stations. “This is their raison d’être” assures the director of UnitedConsumers.

Queues got longer in Macro

According to a spokesperson for the wholesaler, Makro was always refueling. “And because the fuel is more expensive, it’s even more intense.” This is the company’s conscious strategy to ‘capture’ fuel prices.

“We want to be the cheapest in the region.” This strategy seems to work and has a self-reinforcing effect. “Because we use such a large quantity, we can buy it cheaper. This allows us to offer it cheaper, which leads to more turnover.”

You can also refuel unmanned in Makro. According to Van Selms, many drone stations have been added. “More than half of the gas stations are now unmanned.” Gas stations along the highway only use suggested retail prices. “The difference between an expensive pump and a cheap pump is getting bigger and bigger.”

SCT reduction saves about 20 cents

The suggested retail price of one liter of petrol was now 2.22 euros, against a high of 2.50 euros at the beginning of the year.

The government lowered the consumption tax on petrol by 17.3 cents per liter on April 1. This is valid until the end of this year. In addition, a few VAT cents are deducted since VAT is also charged on consumption taxes.