There are about 1,400 gas stations across Georgia, half of which belong to medium-sized companies - according to Vano Mtvralashvili, the general director of the Global Trade Network. As of him, in the last 10 years, the competition in the market has increased significantly, which is proved by the sales figures.
According to Mtvralashvili, if 80% of fuel sales accounted for five large companies 10 years ago, today this figure has decreased to 60%.
The main reason for the sales increase in non-branded chains is the price, which often causes a difference of 10-25 tetri.
"The market is very diverse and there is great competition. Beyond the five big branded companies, up to 10 companies are engaged in the chain development. Overall, today there are about 1,400 operating stations throughout the country. In 2021, their number was 700, so their number has doubled in the last 10 years. This fact indicates that the industry is developing and there is a lot of competition. If you look at the prices, they completely differ. The price difference can be 12, 15, 20, or even 25 tetri. Roughly speaking, the sales of branded companies are up to 60%, while they have an equal number of petrol stations (50-50%).
Branded companies have an advantage in sales, these companies have been developing for years, and they offer various services to customers, including marketing activities, etc. However, in the last 2-3 years, small and medium-sized chains, which already have their own niche and trust, have significantly increased their sales", Mtvralashvili said.
