Petrol stations capitalise on c-store trade

Petrol companies are increasingly proficient at operating their own forecourt convenience stores.

According to an IGD report, Convenience on the Forecourt shows weekly sales at company-managed forecourt stores have increased by 53 per cent to£10,967 per store since 2000.

The increase has been driven by better formats, bigger ranges, larger stores and improved awareness of the potential of the forecourt.

Overall, sales of groceries on the forecourt have risen to more than£3.6 billion - an increase of 14 per cent since 1999.

The IGD anticipates forecourt retailing to grow in line with convenience retailing and store numbers to reach 9,600 by the end of 2005.