Why supermarket fuel is usually cheaper
Supermarkets consistently undercut branded forecourts by several pence per litre. Here's the commercial reason behind the gap — and when it disappears.
Supermarkets treat fuel as a footfall driver rather than a profit centre. Because customers who stop for fuel often shop in-store, the forecourt operates on thinner margins than a standalone branded site.
Branded stations (Shell, BP, Esso, Texaco) usually carry premium additive packages and franchise fees that raise the pump price. In motorway service areas the gap widens further — expect to pay 15-20p more per litre.
The gap narrows in rural areas where supermarket forecourts are scarce and the nearest branded independent may be your only option. FuelTankPal makes it easy to see the real spread near you in real time.
