Fuel Retailing
This is where your local gas station comes in.
Overview
Over the past 30 years, the number of retail sites has declined, while average output has increased significantly. Today’s gas stations are larger and more efficient, and usually offer enhanced services such as a convenience store or a car wash. Because margins on the sale of gasoline are relatively low, many gas stations depend on the sale of these ancillary products and services.
Gas station facts
You might be surprised to know that only about 22 percent of gas stations are controlled by the five major refiner-marketers in Canada.
Here are some interesting facts about Canada’s gas stations, according to Kalibrate’s 2023 National Retail Petroleum Site Census:
- There are 11,713 retail gasoline stations in Canada, or 2.9 per 10,000 Canadians.
- There are 97 distinct brands of gasoline
- There are 66 distinct companies involved in the marketing of these retail petroleum brands
- 22 percent of all gas stations are price-controlled by Canada’s integrated refiner-marketers
- 78 percent of all gas stations are price-controlled by individual proprietors, or companies who are not involved in the refining process.
- 517 gas stations have electric charging vehicle stations available, a steady increase since 2019.
- “Big Box” retailers and regional distributors have a growing influence on the fuel retail market.
You can read more about the 2023 national retail petroleum site census here.
