Overview

• The TIV, representing nearly 700 leaseholders across 1,000 stations, argues that oil majors exploit their market power with frequent pump price swings that disconnect station prices from stable global oil rates.
• Data from benzinpreis.de show over 11,000 German stations posted price validity under 15 minutes between May 12 and 18, with some rates changing every five minutes.
• The association lodged a group complaint accusing Shell of obliging franchisees to buy 90 percent of shop products from its Carissa arm at markups of 70 to 110 percent above market rates.
• Leaseholders face what the TIV calls 'double competitive distortion' as they are barred from sourcing shop goods on the open market and must absorb inflated costs imposed by oil companies.
• The Federal Cartel Office is reviewing potential competition breaches in the fuel wholesale sector under pressure from the association for regulatory action.