ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Aladdin Market in Lakeland, Florida, discounted its regular fuel to 99 cents for three hours earlier this week as part of the gas station’s unique business model, reports FOX 13 Tampa Bay.
Co-owner Sam Rabi says the market shares 70% of the profit it makes from inside the store with the community by lowering gas prices.
"We basically put people in control of what the gas prices will be the next day, so the more purchases on the inside, the lower the gas will be," Rabi told FOX 13.
While the business model doesn’t produce 99-cent gasoline, the three-hour promotion was a way to thank customers, encourage them to make a purchase inside the store and share how the model works, according to Rabi. He estimates he sold around 6,000 gallons of gas during the promotion, which is similar to what another Aladdin Market sold last summer when it offered the same deal.
"When I have the community behind me, and they make inside purchases, I'm getting compensated," Rabi said. "At the end of the day, everybody's happy."
Typically, the model allows Aladdin Market to have gas prices 30-40 cents below market price. Rabi aspires to grow his franchise and inspire other businesses to adopt similar business models.
"I put a smile on a lot of people's faces, and this is actually helping me sleep tight at night," Rabi told FOX 13.