Tracking retail fuel trends: April 2025

Warmer weather powered substantial increases in demand, but changes in the crude oil market brought the unexpected.

Tracking retail fuel trends: March 2025

Retail fuel metrics often follow specific seasonal patterns, but March’s data bucked industry trends in a few different ways.

Tracking retail fuel trends: February 2025

Demand picked up as warmer weather thawed much of America, but a refinery fire marred an otherwise encouraging month.

Tracking retail fuel trends: January 2025

Sanctions on Russia led to a rise in crude prices, while a cold snap suppressed fuel demand. Get your full trend update here.

Tracking retail fuel trends: December 2024

Cold weather and the holiday season brought expected declines in demand. Plus, we take a closer look at c-store metrics.

Tracking retail fuel trends: November 2024

Despite a rise in holiday travel, fuel demand still fell month-over-month in November. Get a full look at the numbers here.

Fuel Trends by Upside: Methodology and FAQs

Take a closer look at how we built our Fuel Trends data series.

Tracking retail fuel trends: October 2024

Sign and rack prices are expected to fall this time of year, but disruptions brought about by inclement weather have changed the story.

Variable pricing strategies and consumer perceptions

A number of variable pricing strategies are making their way into public consciousness. Here’s what you need to know.

Customer loyalty programs and their impacts on buying behavior

Loyalty programming remains a critical investment, but data shows it’s not changing customer behavior.

Our takeaways from NACS 2024

Following four days in Vegas with the top talent in fuel and c-store retail, these topics are at the top of our minds.

Q&A with GetGo: How this retailer turns uncommitted customers into loyal customers

Of the new and non-loyalty customers Upside brought to GetGo, over 60% joined myPerks.

Inflation-adjusted sales: What your revenue numbers aren’t telling you

Due to an increase in cross-shopping, topline revenue gains can be misleading. Factoring for inflation shows a different picture.

Consumer price sensitivity: Why cross-shopping is more prevalent than ever

Consumers aren’t spending less — they’re just spreading trips around to buy less at each store. Our Consumer Spend Report has more. 

Consumer c-store demand: Even as top-line revenue rises, other metrics tell a different story

Transaction data from more than 1,700 c-stores shows demand is actually in decline. We contextualized the numbers and interviewed consumers to find out what’s behind the shift in shopping behavior.

Price predictions for Memorial Day Weekend 2024

We looked at the last three years and factored in today's market conditions to estimate fuel and grocery prices for Memorial Day 2024.

Busting Memorial Day gas myths: What you need to know for a budget-friendly road trip

Learn about gas prices, station traffic trends, and money-earning tips to enjoy a holiday weekend that doesn’t break the bank.

What to do with Upside in low-margin fuel environments

Today, thousands of retailers use Upside to win more visits and higher customer spend at a positive, fully-attributable ROI.

Navigating thin margins in fuel and avoiding the 'vicious cycle' of cost-cutting

When fuel margins are low, retailers make less profit. But industry executives say cutting costs can make pre-existing pressures worse.

C-store revenue is up, but what about demand?

Upside reviewed transaction data from 1,700+ convenience retail locations and surveyed 1,500+ consumers. Here’s what we found.

Bridging the gap between loyalty membership and loyal behavior

There's a gap between loyalty membership and behavior; retailers have an opportunity to turn their average members into super-users.

How mobile apps can turn gas station visitors into c-store shoppers

Using mobile apps is second nature for today’s shoppers. C-stores can leverage that behavior to reach more customers and increase pump-to-store conversion.

Fuel promotions that change customer behavior at the pump

Upside surveyed consumers on effective fuel offers. Then, we reviewed transaction data from 30K fuel sites to learn what really changes buying behavior.

Leveraging consumer psychology with effective promotions

How promotions drive behavioral change in consumers

Consumer behavior at the pump this summer

A guide to what retailers can expect from consumers this summer as prices at the pump change

Thriving in a declining market: Strategies for growing your fuel business

Upside's insights report for fuel retailers to stay competitive in changing markets

Boosting c-store sales at your station through gas promotions

To achieve fuel profitability, it is crucial to maximize capacity utilization, increasing sales at the pump and driving sales at your convenience store.

Segmentation is now. Personalization is the future.

Retailers need to stop using personalized and segmented approaches interchangeably — only the former generates true incremental profit every time. Learn how these strategies differ and how to leverage the data you already have for long-term growth.

How can high gas station prices help restaurants and grocers increase sales?

High prices at the pump are driving consumers to new gas stations. Here’s how grocers and restaurants can benefit.

Think like a fuel customer: How each decision affects your profitability

Understanding how your customers think will help you go beyond tweaking fuel sign prices to maximize profit. Here’s what you need to know.

How to calculate capacity utilization, according to Upside experts

How many gallons are you currently selling every day, and how could you be selling? Calculate your capacity utilization to find out.

Why fuel retailers need a customer reach strategy for digital-first consumers

As consumers make more purchasing decisions online, fuel retailers must look beyond sign price and traditional marketing. Here’s how to adjust your customer reach strategy.

Beyond customer loyalty programs: Digital marketplaces and new revenue

Customer loyalty programs can help drive sales among existing customers but fall flat in growing your base and driving new profit. Here’s how digital marketplaces can fill the gap.

Why measuring capacity utilization is essential for fuel retailers

Despite the outsized costs for these assets, few station owners track or measure how effectively they’re utilized on a daily basis.

How Upside helps fuel retailers as inflation rises

How Upside empowers fuel retailers to attract more customers and increase transaction volume amid inflation and rising gas prices, providing relief to consumers while boosting profits for businesses

Everyone hurts at the pump, even gas stations

Are your programs performing? Seeing past expected fuel volume fluctuations

This Upside study explores what it takes to determine the impact of your current loyalty program.

Prices are rising, but retailers aren’t the bad guys

Navigating inflation and supporting local businesses with Upside

Gas prices are skyrocketing: Here’s everything you need to know

Understanding the surge in prices, economic influences, and how Upside continues to provide cash back amidst the fluctuations

Building the fuel retail business of the future

Read about the developing trends in fuel retail and how to attract today’s (and tomorrow’s) customers.

Strategies to help fuel retailers get ready for the EV age

Preparing for the rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) in the fuel and convenience retail market

How to evaluate in-house loyalty programs

A comprehensive framework for assessing the effectiveness and profitability of in-house loyalty programs in the fuel and convenience retail industry

Outmatch your competition: Fuel industry report

We surveyed 1,300 customers, spoke with dozens of retailers, and analyzed billions of transactions to learn how competitive retailers outmatch their competition