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CMA Says Fuel Margins Stay Elevated as UK Pump Prices Edge Higher

The watchdog will publish a year-end operating-costs review to assess whether retailers’ profits are justified.

Overview

  • Average petrol rose 1.9p to 133.9p per litre and diesel 3.5p to 141.9p between the end of May and the end of August, the CMA reported.
  • Supermarket fuel margins were 8.0–9.1% in April–June and other retailers’ margins 9.9–10.6%, compared with about 4% and 6.4% respectively in 2017.
  • The CMA said margins far above historic norms are “deeply concerning” and it will probe cost drivers in its first annual road fuel operating report due at year-end.
  • The government-backed Fuel Finder is slated to launch by the end of the year, requiring forecourts to report price and fuel availability changes within 30 minutes.
  • AA and RAC criticised a postcode lottery in pump prices and argued that stronger transparency and enforcement are needed to deliver fairer forecourt competition.