Rising gas prices squeeze 1Q margins

摘要

The year has gotten off to a disappointing start for retailers around the nation, as first-quarter fuel profits lagged more than 40% behind the same period a year earlier due to low rack-to-retail margins and depressed gasoline demand. The sting was felt strongest by retailers in the Rockies, with average fuel profits limping 57.8% behind Q1 2020 levels, according to OPIS MarginPro data. The smallest bite was seen by retailers in the Midcontinent region, where fuel profits were still off 36.7% from levels seen during the first three months of last year, OPIS data show.