This article is brought to you by Titan Cloud.

Shifting consumer behaviors, fluctuating gas prices and growing operational complexities are impacting fuel retailers across the spectrum. In fact, the NACS State of the Industry Report® of 2024 data revealed that fuel dollar sales were down 5.7% from 2023 to a total of $501.9 billion.

“Managing a changing industry with traditional systems and smaller headcounts, mid-sized fuel retailers are particularly vulnerable to challenges facing the industry today,” said Brent Puzak, senior solutions consultant at Titan Cloud.

Puzak also noted that survey data from Titan Cloud’s Downstream Fuel Industry Report revealed a telling trend: 53% of mid-size fuel businesses have no technology in place to automate deliveries or manage inventory, despite growing pressure to reduce costs and operate with leaner teams.

“More than half of mid-sized fuel businesses still don’t have modern tools in place to manage deliveries or inventory,” said Puzak. “The gap between mid-market operators and enterprise players isn’t about size. It’s about who has the tools to operate more efficiently and scale with confidence.”

Titan Cloud data showed that most of the mid-market businesses surveyed also see the growth potential of embracing innovation going forward. “Specifically, 50.6% said they aim to combat rising costs by optimizing fuel inventory management,” Puzak noted.

One company, Capital Petroleum Group (CPG), wanted to take a proactive approach to growing its operations and capabilities. The Mid-Atlantic fuel retailer worked with Titan Cloud to “streamline delivery planning, improve inventory accuracy, reduce variance and ensure that fuel carriers operate efficiently. Titan Cloud also provided CPG with on-demand reporting for advanced data filtering and easy export of critical insights,” said Puzak.

“Having real-time visibility into our fuel network helps us stay ahead, optimizing deliveries and making smarter decisions,” said Chris DeCarlo, director of fuel pricing and transportation at CPG. “Titan Cloud’s platform plays a critical role in our effort to run more efficiently and grow revenue as we scale.”

This is part one of a two-part series brought to you by Titan Cloud. Look for part two on Thursday.