Small fuel distributors in Italy should take alternative action to raise profits.

Small fuel distributors in Italy should look at non-fuel options to raise their profits, mirroring the success of this strategy in other markets and mitigating against the negative impact on profits from the high cost of absorbing fuel discounts.

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TOTAL and ERG: joint venture creates Italy's third-largest fuel retailer

TOTAL and ERG are to merge their fuel retail and refining operations in Italy, to form a joint venture known as TotalERG. The deal will enable both companies to cut production costs and minimize distribution expenses, two areas that are both vital for survival in a service station market characterized by a high density of sites and low fuel throughputs.

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Carrefour: consolidating its Italian fascias

As part of its strategy to unite its brands across its entire European network and boost flagging sales in Italy, Carrefour plans to reformat all GS and DiperDi stores in Italy to Carrefour Market and Carrefour Express outlets, respectively. The retailer hopes that the outperformance of the convenience sector and its strong brand will help to lead Carrefour Express to success.

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Lukoil: breaking into Italy

Lukoil has set its sights on acquiring a 5% share in the Italian fuel retailing market following a joint venture with ERG in the ISAB oil refinery in Sicily. The move will allow Lukoil to consolidate its position in Europe, as well as boosting competition in a market that has historically been difficult to enter.

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European fuel retail: Italy faces court over anti-competitive practices

Italy is to be prosecuted in the European Court of Justice due to its failure to implement competition law in the service station sector. The country's continuing delays over implementation of laws agreed in June 2007 appear to be a result of its unwillingness to displease national incumbents.

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Alpha Airports: takeover heralds further consolidation

Alpha Airports has approved a GBP193.6 million takeover by Italy's Autogrill. Autogrill's proposed purchase of Alpha Airports follows a week of activity, which has seen fast-food operator Autogrill building up its stake in the UK-based airline services firm. The move will provide Alpha with necessary scale on a global level to compete in the fast-growing and consolidating airport services market.

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Italian supermarkets may be allowed to sell petrol

In a bid to promote price competition in its fuel retail sector, the Italian government has proposed to make it easier for retailers to open petrol stations and to allow supermarkets to enter the market. Italy already has a high number of petrol stations and network expansion is undesirable. However, assuming only supermarkets exploit this legislative change, lower prices should be achieved.

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Italian fuel retail: independents fear the hypermarket invasion

The liberalization of fuel retailing in Italy in November will herald the entrance of hypermarkets on the forecourt. Independent fuel retailers who fear being ousted on the basis of price are to protest by striking. However, despite their forebodings, their strikes will in all likelihood fail and this spells good news for the consumer.

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Commercial fuel retail: fuel cards lead the way in Europe

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