Non-fuel buys boost sales at forecourt stores

Petrol forecourt stores have become retail destinations in their own right, with 30 per cent of customers not buying fuel.

Market research from Key Note reveals non-fuel sales at the pumps continue to climb year on year, despite falling numbers of petrol stations. Non-fuel shopping accounted for 14.7 per cent of forecourt sales last year and was worth an estimated£3.6 billion.

Key Note reports increasing numbers of sites operated by grocers. They are using forecourts as small-store alternatives, and these accounted for 28 per cent of sales last year.

- Symbol group Londis is looking to recruit new forecourt retailers to trade under the Londis Express fascia.