Assessing Competitive Gaps Affecting Competition in Petrol Station Business During a Price Wars Situation by Chris Mogbogu
In today’s increasingly volatile downstream oil sector, price wars among petrol stations have become the new battleground for customer acquisition and market dominance. Yet, beneath the visible skirmish of slashed pump prices lies a deeper crisis: unhealthy competition fueled by a lack of strategic differentiation, poor service innovation, and the erosion of long-term profitability. This article unpacks the structural and operational gaps that weaken petrol stations during price wars, particularly in emerging markets like Nigeria, where visibility, trust, and value-added services can make or break a brand. More than just a race to the bottom, this piece advocates for a smarter, more sustainable approach—where brand perception, service quality, and digital visibility define the new frontier of competition in the fuel retailing business.
