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The US oil industry is one of the biggest industries in the country as it provides employment opportunities to more than 120,000 people in the country. This is also due to the fact that fuel is a daily necessity for consumers which is leading to people investing in new gas stations.

If you’re looking to enter the industry, one of the first things you need to decide is whether you’re going to use branded or unbranded fuel. Both the different types of fuels have advantages or disadvantages. We’re going to help you decide which one you should have by discussing both of them in detail.

Branded Fuel

Every industry in the world has recognizable brands and the fuel industry is no different. Just take a road trip and you’ll see many different brands of fuel, such as Chevron, Shell, or Exxon-Mobil. All the different brands have different proprietary mixes that make them distinguishable from each other which impact the performance of vehicles.  

Some branded fuels have additives such as detergents or antioxidants while others may be enriched with nitrogen that protects the vehicles fuel injectors and intake valves. The federal government has set minimum requirements for the fuels criteria, so most fuels are good enough to be pumped into your vehicles.

Pros and Cons

If you decide to use branded fuel for your service station you can benefit from brand support like digital signage or even pump maintenance. Plus, people trust brands more, so you might get more customers.

On the other hand, with branded fuels, you will have to follow strict quality and brand requirements. Furthermore, you will also have little room to adjust price which could affect your profit margins as well.

Unbranded Fuel

This may be surprising to hear but most of the gas sold in the US is sold by independent retailers such as convenience stores. It may also seem like unbranded fuel may be different from branded fuel but as mentioned earlier there are certain fuel standards that all fuel retailers must follow.

This means that there are certain common additives that are common in both types of fuels. On the other hand, some vehicles need certain octane levels that might not be present in unbranded fuel.

Pros and Cons

A couple of benefits of using unbranded fuel include low cost of purchase so you can have a better profit margin. There’s also more flexibility on which ones you can use so can contact different suppliers at the same time.

The disadvantages on the other hand include no brand support or something serious like lack of priority when there’s a fuel shortage. Another thing that you need to consider when going into the service station business is the equipment and supplies for your station. You can check out all the equipment we offer as we are a petroleum equipment supplier that has some of the best equipment in the market. You can visit our website or contact us to find out more about the essential gas station accessories we have.

In today’s business ecosystem, if you’re not thinking of moving forward or following industry trends, you may easily fall behind your competitors. This is even more necessary in the oil and gas industry because of fuel being an essential part of people’s lives.

Statistics show that there are almost 270 million registered cars in the US which results in very high fuel demand. So, service station owners need to keep up with that demand by keeping up with innovation and technology-driven ideas. Some of these trends include:

Convenience Store Incorporation

Service stations are not only about stopping for fuel anymore, especially if you’re located on a highway. So, a lot of service stations are convenience stores as well so people can stop by and shop for supplies, food, or even groceries.

Many service station owners are shifting towards the c-store trend because it’s a great alternative source of income as the profits are dwindling on fuel. Furthermore, more service station owners are collaborating with delivery services as a location for parcel pick-ups. This is a unique way for someone to visit their store and make impulsive purchases.

Improved Sustainability

There has been huge progress in making business processes sustainable and eco-friendly. There greater emphasis on sustainable operations in the oil and gas industry as there are more strict regulations on the supply chain of the industry.

Furthermore, the concerns regarding carbon emission are also high which has put the industry under a spotlight. A growing trend among fuel station owners is to use alternative fuel options at their stations such as EV, CNG, or even LPG. Meanwhile, they’re trying to improve their sustainability by focusing on other business activities like switching to a paperless business.

Self-Checkout POS

Another growing trend in the gas station industry is the addition of a self-checkout Point of Sale (POS) system. An automated POS system is fixed at individual gas pumps and when a customer fills up their tank, they can pay them there and carry on with their journey.

One of the many benefits of a POS system is that you can cater to more customers at the same time and attract new customers. Quick checkout services prevent long queues. Another advantage of the POS also includes the accessibility of using different types of payment options.

You can get these advanced POS systems from us. We are a gas station equipment supplier that aims to help the gas station retail industry. We’ve worked with some of the best equipment manufacturers in the industry for more than 90 years to try and provide you with the most premium quality equipment.

That’s also why we take pride in being known as the best petroleum equipment supplier in the country. All you have to do is contact us and we’re here to help.

Here’s how gas stations can expand their customer base.

Here’s how the right POS system will improve your convenience store:

Gas stations mostly attract consumers due to convenience or cost-effective offerings. The most important factor of convenience for a vehicle owner is to find a gas station nearby. The majority of gas stations in any area only receive business from locals who live or work nearby. However, a gas station cannot earn significant profits when relying solely on the business from the locals. Certain strategies can help a gas station increase its reach, and here are a few of them. 

1. Reward and Encourage Referrals

Word of mouth plays an important role when it comes to the expansion of any type of business. Any gas station with a loyal client base can earn more business by offering incentives for referrals. Most gas stations already reward their loyal customers via various customized services, but when these rewards are tied to referrals, they can increase your monthly revenue as well as client satisfaction. Once you choose a trustworthy gas station supplies provider, you can offer your customers the best products for the most affordable prices.

2. Improve Service Quality

Your customers are likely to recommend your business to others only if the services you provide meet their expectations. Keep a check on your regular customers and make sure you are always well-stocked with the products they visit your gas station for. When a customer feels recognized and appreciated, they are likely to give you repeat business and pass your name on to other friends and family members as well. Visit John W. Kennedy Company’s website and shop for all the service station supplies that your valuable customers are looking for.

3. Request Google Reviews

If customers are satisfied with your service quality, they won’t hesitate to give you positive reviews online. Businesses can grow exponentially with a good online reputation and increase their profit in no time. Discounts and coupons can be offered for leaving a five-star review, which will help you attract customers from areas all around.John W. Kennedy Company is a petroleum equipment company that has been supplying hundreds of gas stations around the US with quality products and services since 1930. The company understands the needs of not only the gas stations but also its customer base and helps a business keep ahead of its competition. 

Here are a few things you need to seriously avoid at gas stations.

Data and technology are transforming the way we operate our businesses. It is deeply rooted in our daily lives and has made it better and more efficient. If you own a retail, gas, or convenience store, you’ll most likely have POS software. These systems are integral to the smooth functioning of any retail store.