If you want your petrol station to be successful, you’ve got to have a comprehensive business plan in place. With a business plan, you can set (and accomplish) long-term goals, define and implement your strategies, and make sure your business is always on track.
In this article, you’ll find some ideas that can lay the groundwork and help you get started with your own unique plan.
Service Station Business Plan
These are some of the areas we recommend you include in a business plan for an independent petrol station and convenience store:
You should spend some time thinking about these areas, if they area applicable to your site and how best to include them in your overall strategy.
- The sale of fuels including diesel, ULP, Premium Unleaded and E10
- Convenience store stocked with products that your customers need
- Auto repairs with an on-site mechanic
- Car wash service
- The filling and exchanging of gas bottles
- Hot food items
- Coffee
Putting together what services are available to your customers will make the act of planning your marketing strategies clearer. You’ll also be able to evaluate vendors more easily and continue with other business strategies.
Marketing Strategy
Your marketing strategies should always be included in your service stations business plan. Here’s an example marketing strategy:
Your example petrol stations marketing will be based on its location and the services you offer. This means utilising posters, banners, signage, and images on the outside of the physical building so customers know what is being offered inside.
The owner can take into account the petrol station’s surrounding landmarks, demographics, and public institutions in order to decide the best marketing strategies – for example, if your petrol station is located near a highway, you can expect more fuel sales and you can adjust your pricing strategy accordingly, or if it’s located in a secluded neighborhood, make note of the competitors in the area and how your products and services can differ.
Managing Inventory
It’s essential to have inventory tracking and POS systems in place to keep up with the convenience store aspect of your petrol station. With this technology, you can track inventory, make price changes, run promotions, and track sales. This will save time, maintain control, and increase profits.
Such technology will also handle the act of charting sales and product reports, which gives you more time to focus on your employees, customers, and other notable aspects of your petrol station.
Your Business Plan
Putting a business plan in place doesn’t have to be intimidating. As you take the first steps to create one, you’ll see how it can positively impact the future of your petrol station.
If you need help creating a business plan feel free to contact us.