Dutch-based oil group Shell is still aiming to become the leading operator of petrol stations in Germany, overtaking the current market leader, Aral/BP. Shell says that it now has a market share of 21.5 per cent in Germany, compared with 22.5 per cent for German group Aral, and that it was the only major operator to extend its network in Germany last year, where the market is declining.
Shell also plans to open new petrol stations in Germany this year. In order to become the market leader, the company intends to introduce a petrol pump attendant service at around a third of its 2,243 stations. In particular, this service will be aimed at older drivers, female drivers and those on business trips. Customers will be expected to make a voluntary payment of 1 euro for these services.
Abstracted from Financial Times Deutschland