From yesterday to today: the gas station revolution. Old challenges and new challenges, in figures
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Today, a recharge point still without opening coexists in front of a parcel collection mailbox and another clothing used in the enclosure of a large gasoline, diesel, ADBLUE and LPG service station.
In fact, as they told us recently, at the end of the assider, some small and medium entrepreneurs in the sector, without specific agreements with large energy, the investment of installing recharge posts (which some encrypted in almost 60,000 euros) madea medium or long -term amortization.
Not to mention those stations with scarce or zero soil ('track', in the slang), such as those that subsist the cities ... and that today, for today, base their continuity on the diminishing sale of fuel,to the old way.This is not the case of M.M., the owner of a gas station of a town-bedroom of 12,000 inhabitants, one hour from Madrid capital.
It has decades of experience, a fairly faithful audience, more than enough space to install fast -charged points and store where the driver of an electric could have coffee at that time.For better or worse, the final decision will be taken by the great oil company ('flag') with which it has its 100%franchise regime business.
In the photos of the gallery below you can see how a single supplier was enough in the 30s for a 'gasolinero' to help you repost;Also, the way in which self -service reduced everyone's costs, as well as the counterattack of many entrepreneurs, "with girls" ...
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6 images
The gas stations.
(6 images)
Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid) Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid) Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid)Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid) Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid) Santos Yubero (Archivo Regional de Madrid)The first self -service gas stations date back to the 70s, although they always had assistance and collection personnel for drivers.The so -called 'unattended' gas stations would not arrive in Spain until a few decades later
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There are other formulas of lower involvement to which you have to render less accounts in terms of your protocols, quality standards and exclusivity when buying the products that are supplied.But in times of crisis, a station like yours has seven employees in template with a base salary of 1,000 euros each for 40 hours per week for nightlife or holidays.
It should dispatch a minimum of 4 million liters annually "to live a bit calm, in benefits", the support of a strong brand helps a lot.For example?In everything related to reviews, advice, repairs, negotiation of insurance policies, training courses, market studies, advertising ...
And of course, by exploring new business lines and establishing the prices of all its offer in an environment where there is more and more competition.In fact, many of the most veteran entrepreneurs with whom we have contacted agree that, more than electrification or gas (LPG or CNG), one of the main short -term threats, the result of liberalization, are LowCost gas stations.
His savings is based on not having a store, being the so-called "unattended" (totally self-service) or supplying "supposedly worse" quality products (for this report, only some anonymous workshops have dared to certify this)-."The margins are so tight that many could not compete with a white brand that reduced prices just 10%," says another businessman.
And as long as the real electrification of mobility arrives or not, what other business lines are starting the gas stations, beyond the traditional car, the ice or the return of the employees who dispense fuel and charge abroad?In addition to fuel and lubricants, establishments have also suffered their own transformation.
As you see in the photo, the service stations are firewood or butane points (although the latter implies signing agreements with competition).Autolavados can continue to be accountable if space is available.Both on the road and in the city, many gas stations work years ago as small supermarkets, with cafeteria, their own offers, loyalty cards, discounts ...
If they are officially declared a convenience store, they also have the right to sell minimum percentages (and the duty to pay local taxes) of bread, press - which is also disappearing from their shelves -, books, tobacco (star product of many gas stations), alcohol...
After establishing firewood and butane gas (fruit of agreements signed even between competing companies), the latest trends pass through the packet collection mailboxes or laundry services.Soon it is planned that, exterior luminous are placed with comparative information between different energy sources - including electricity - its price and autonomy.
Many gas stations worked years ago as supermarkets, with cafeteria, their own offers, loyalty cards ... Many gas stations operated years ago as supermarkets supermarkets, with cafeteria, their own offers, loyalty cards, discounts ...
Today anything is sold in these places.Open a low-cost without store or employees (such as this) is usually faster and more cheap than in the case of traditional ones.Interestingly, after contributing to lowering the prices of the area, some end up being acquired (and even dismantled) by the large ones.
On the other hand, some gas stations have protection due to their architectural value, but in return, they have less space and flexibility to modernize.And in this line, there are even apps to control your fuel expense, compare prices and even opt for discounts and 'surprise bags' with more lowered products.
But what will the future hold us?We will probably not recognize a world yesterday or today in terms of service stations.What is clear is that the revolution has arrived in the sector and that both alternative mobility and the different technologies that mount cars have made gas stations have to put the batteries.Literally.And this will only be the beginning ...