Coles Express Response To Accc Fuel Report

Coles Express response to ACCC Report on the Australian petroleum industry


Coles Express General Manager, Peter Short, says the latest ACCC report on the Australian petroleum industry is a highly detailed evaluation of the industry, reflecting the reality of a competitive market.

"The report debunks many of the myths about petrol retailing continually perpetrated by consumer groups, motoring organisations and politicians seeking to generate cheap media headlines."

"The report confirms that fuel retailers are not ripping off customers, with net profit margins after the cost of doing business of only 0.5 cents per litre and this profit margin has been steady for the past four years."

"It confirms that Australian petrol prices remain amongst the lowest in the OECD and that price movements are driven by fluctuations in global oil prices with a lag for refining and stock movements."

"It confirms that weekly fuel price cycles are consistent throughout the year and that petrol retailers do not put up petrol prices ahead of long weekends or public holidays."

"It confirms that rural and regional petrol prices are higher than in metropolitan areas but that this occurs for simple and logical reasons such as distance from refineries and lower volumes which adds to the cost of doing business in these areas."

"The ACCC concludes that shopper dockets remain beneficial for consumers giving consumers access to cheaper petrol overall and that most consumers are price sensitive enough to buy their fuel on the cheapest day of the weekly fuel cycle."

"Coles Express remains committed to providing the best value, quality and service we can to our customers," said Mr Short.

For further information please contact:


Katy Hetherington,
Coles Express Corporate Affairs Advisor
P (03) 9829 3732
M 0427 358 689
E [email protected]

SOURCE: Coles Express