OPIS Blog

November 22, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Unbranded Gasoline Market Share Continues to Grow at Branded Expense

It was not that long ago that branded outlets sold most of the fuel, but the past six or so...

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September 13, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market

Summer Driving Season: Demand Disappoints, Margins Save the Day

Evidence continues to mount that 2019 represented the peak for U.S. gasoline demand as a slow decline in 2024 retail...

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August 13, 2024
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market

For Gasoline Retailers the Best is on its Way

Major League Baseball playoff races are heating up and the importance of the offensive “big inning” is magnified in August...

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June 12, 2024
Futures, Rack Market, Retail Market

May was Spectacular for Margins, but Volume Concerns Remain

May can be a Jekyll and Hyde type of month when it comes to gross rack-to-retail margins, but the 2024...

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May 26, 2023
Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Year-on-Year Fuel Disinflation Likely to Reach Epic Proportions

Thanks to irrational exuberance on the part of oil speculators in the spring of 2022, comparisons for key fuels in...

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May 5, 2023
Oil Market Basics, Retail Market

Pricing 101: Demystifying Retail Fuel Prices and Players

The retail portion of the fuel chain is the most visible to the general public and likely the most complex...

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January 31, 2023
Gas & Diesel, Jet fuel, Retail Market

10 Predictions for 2023: A Look at an Oil-Soaked 2023 Crystal Ball

The following is an excerpt from Americas: Oil Market Outlook 2023. 1 U.S. gasoline prices will again command the consumer...

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December 12, 2022
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Analysis: Gasoline Deflation at Hand as Volatile 2023 Looms

The US national average for gasoline as measured by OPIS on Dec. 12, 2022, represented deflation of 2.02% versus the...

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September 21, 2022
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Summer Gasoline Demand Struggled But Still Profitable

Now that the summer driving season has come to an end, the scorecard from OPIS shows what was a very...

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May 26, 2021
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

Beyond Mid-May Motor Fuel Madness: Will Gasoline Supply Scrambles Persist?

The First Driver of the 2021 Motor Fuel Panic In mid-April, a special report by Oil Price Information Service (OPIS)...

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September 15, 2020
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

Hurricane Laura Aftermath; Pandemic-inspired Demand Reductions

*Editor’s Note: Hurricane Sally is expected to make landfall late tonight or Wednesday along the Mississippi-Alabama coast. As of 2...

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July 27, 2020
C-stores, Retail Market

COVID-19 Drives C-Store Industry Changes: 7 Trends for 2020

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) drove major changes for the convenience store industry.  

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December 16, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Mexico, Retail Market

A Decade of Change for Mexico’s Gasoline and Diesel Markets

Mexico has been the setting for one of the biggest energy stories of the past decade.

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December 9, 2019
C-stores, Retail Market

10 Convenience Store Industry Trends to Watch in 2020

What trends could take your convenience store and gas station profitability to the next level in 2020?

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September 16, 2019
Mexico, Rack Market, Retail Market

Understanding Retail Gasoline Markets in Mexico

The retail gasoline market in Mexico has been undergoing a transformation since the passage of energy reforms in 2013 that...

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August 26, 2019
C-stores, Retail Market

7 Irresistible Pitches to Build Loyalty at Your Gas Station & C-Store

If you’ve set up a loyalty club program at your gas station or c-store and email your customers promotions, you...

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July 22, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Summer Driving Season: Is Gasoline Demand Rising or Falling?

Now that summer 2019 driving season is in full swing, gasoline demand moves into focus.

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May 20, 2019
Carbon, Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

The California Gasoline Price Rally: What Happened, What’s Next

March and April 2019 were challenging months for California gasoline prices, with retail prices cresting $4/gal.  OPIS’ Lisa Street and...

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May 13, 2019
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Spring 2019 Oil, Gasoline & Diesel Price Trends: Video

May began with a bit of a thud in oil prices. What’s coming next?

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April 15, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Behind the California Retail Gas Price Spike: The Price Influence Chain in Action

Average retail gas prices in California have skyrocketed this spring, underscoring how the spot fuel market closely impacts prices at...

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March 4, 2019
C-stores, Retail Market

7 Trends Shaping Gas Station Profitability in 2019

Gas station owners operate in a highly competitive environment, where profits fluctuate wildly. It’s important to stay on top of...

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February 11, 2019
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline Profits Set Records in January 2019

January can be a cruel month for gasoline retailers. It inevitably brings the lowest demand of the year but often higher...

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January 17, 2019
Crude oil, Futures Market, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Oil Prices in 2019: A Quick Video Preview

The year 2019 is already in progress, with headlines dropping daily that rattle the geopolitical chain and stand to keep...

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November 26, 2018
C-stores, Retail Market

Retail Fuel Industry Gift Guide: Top Products from 2018 Trade Shows

What do diesel conditioning systems, cold brew coffee and EV chargers have in common? They were all among the hottest...

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November 7, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Video: Why Are Retail Gas Prices Lower and How Long Will It Last?

OPIS noted prices at retail gas stations this autumn below $2/gal. It wasn’t a common price tag, but overall there...

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October 15, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline Market Snapshot Q3 2018

The third quarter of 2018 showed improvement in retail gasoline price margin performance compared to a year ago. Here are...

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September 5, 2018
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Video: Wrapping Up Summer Oil and Gasoline Prices

Summer 2018 started out with the promise of oil volatility and a rocky ride at retail gas pumps. But, did it...

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July 19, 2018
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Video: Analysis of July’s Oil Price Drop

July 2018 has so far witnessed a steep drop in oil prices. 

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July 17, 2018
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Oil Price Rally Hits a Snag: Two Factors to Watch

   The two-week-long run up in bulk U.S. gasoline prices in summer 2018 hit a mid-July roadblock when oil prices...

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July 2, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Gasoline & Diesel Prices See Difficult Spring Profit Margins

Gas station operators, distributors and retailers were likely glad to see spring 2018 fade into the past.

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June 25, 2018
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Intro to Fuel Pricing: OPIS Crash Course Podcast

The world runs on fuel. From upstream resources, like crude oil and natural gas, to refined products, like gasoline or...

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June 18, 2018
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Oil Price Analysis: Mid-Year 2018 Update

A steady diet of curveballs may be the best way to describe the first half of 2018 for oil and...

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June 11, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Retail Fuel Station Acquisitions Still Red-Hot: Thorntons for Sale?

Mergers & acquisitions have changed the face of the modern retail fuel marketplace. It’s a trend that appears here to...

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May 21, 2018
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Gasoline Price Forecast Summer 2018

Baby, you can drive my car – if you’ve got $2.75-$3 per gallon this summer.

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April 16, 2018
Mexico, Rack Market, Retail Market

Mexican Fuel Market Liberalization Timeline 2018

In the space of just four years, Mexico’ energy markets – from wellhead to service station – have opened to...

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February 26, 2018
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Significant Gasoline Price Inflation Likely In March Madness

We’ve used the “March Madness” sobriquet before, but not necessarily in recent cheap fuel years.  Get ready for gasoline prices...

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January 16, 2018
C-stores, Retail Market

5 Essential Tips for Petroleum Marketers in 2018

The year 2018 is shaping up to be one of dynamic growth for U.S. petroleum marketers and also holds some...

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December 26, 2017
C-stores, Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

Top 10 Downstream Oil Industry Stories of 2017

The past year brimmed with breaking news and analysis in the downstream oil industry.

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December 18, 2017
Rack Market, Retail Market, Spot Market

5 Hits & A Miss from the OPIS 2017 Oil Market Outlook

The end of the year is drawing near. We thought we’d take a break from last-minute online holiday shopping for...

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December 11, 2017
Mexico, Rack Market, Retail Market

Tips on Branded and Unbranded Fuel in Mexico

Epic changes since the passage of energy reforms in 2013 have opened up opportunities for U.S. branded and unbranded fuel...

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December 4, 2017
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market, Spot Market

A Tale of 2 Seasons: Factors That Shape Fuel Prices During Hurricanes

No two storms are created equal. The unique landfall of every storm is one of the most important factors and critical...

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November 21, 2017
Renewables, Retail Market

RFA: 2018 RFS Rule Can’t Head Back to the Future

Do you remember the scene towards the end of “Back to the Future,” where Doc Brown is refueling the time-traveling...

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November 20, 2017
Electric Vehicles, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Post-Petroleum World Hinges on China Electric Car Market

The Netherlands is the latest country to set a date for the demise of the internal combustion engine, joining France,...

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October 23, 2017
Crude oil, Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

2017 Year-End Oil Market Trends to Watch

Don’t expect the last 70 days in the 2017 petroleum markets to match the drama witnessed summer into fall. Storm...

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September 21, 2017
Gas & Diesel, Retail Market

Why Top Tier Gasoline is More Than Just Hype

Top Tier gasoline, containing detergent additives aimed at reducing gunk in your engine, has often been dismissed as hype on...

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