Analysis finds that, on average, retailer fuel margins were broadly unchanged in March
    Local variation in prices remains high – drivers encouraged to shop around to save up to £9 a tank
    Lack of effective competitive pressure in fuel market remains a concern, with fuel margins still above historic levels
  




The rapid increase in fuel prices caused by the Middle East crisis has been driven by wider cost pressures, in particular higher oil prices, rather than a general increase in fuel margins by fuel retailers, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found in its monitoring report.



Analysis of the difference between the price retailers pay for fuel and the price they sell it at – known as fuel margins – since the start of the conflict shows that on average they were broadly unchanged between February and March, and were similar to the average margins throughout 2025.



For a minority of retailers, the CMA observed some increases in fuel margins during March. The CMA is not yet in a position to determine the precise drivers of these increased margins because it received the financial information from retailers at the end of April. It will now investigate this further for the May report along with margin data for April.

Key findings


  Prices for petrol and diesel rapidly increased by 26 and 50 pence per litre (ppl) respectively between February and the 20th April.
  On average, retail fuel margins across the whole market were broadly unchanged between February and March at 10.3ppl and 10.7ppl respectively and were close or equal to the average margin in 2025 of 10.7ppl.  However, the CMA has observed some instances of individual retailer margins having increased between February and March. The CMA is investigating the reasons for these increases and will include an update in the May report.
  There was also a period of higher margins prior to the conflict in December 2025 and January 2026 at 12.7ppl compared to 10.0ppl in November 2025. The CMA is investigating further what has driven this increase.
  Significant local price variations mean there are potential savings of up to £9 to be made on a tank of petrol or diesel if drivers shop around, including by using new apps or websites drawing from Fuel Finder data.
  Fuel margins remain at historically high levels reflecting ongoing concern about a lack of competitive pressure in the fuel retail market.




Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive at the CMA, said:


  

The conflict in the Middle East has driven sharp increases in road fuel prices, putting real pressure on households and businesses across the UK. The CMA’s job is to ensure these rises reflect genuine cost pressures — especially given our previous work showing competition among fuel retailers isn’t as strong as it should be.

  

That’s why we’ve stepped up our monitoring. This scrutiny is working: on average, retailer fuel margins did not increase. We will remain vigilant to ensure any fall in costs is passed on quickly to motorists.

  

Some individual retailers’ margins did rise in March. We are investigating why and will report further in May.

  

Today’s report also shows the value of shopping around, with drivers able to save up to £9 per tank by doing so. This is why the CMA recommended a Fuel Finder scheme which the Government has now introduced. For it to deliver for motorists, all retailers must register and provide accurate data — and we will take enforcement action where they do not.


Fuel Finder



The introduction of the Fuel Finder scheme, as recommended by the CMA, will significantly enhance drivers’ ability to shop around, strengthening competition in the retail fuel market. While Fuel Finder has only recently been introduced, it is already being used by a range of third parties. Once Fuel Finder is established and more widely used by third party apps, it will make it easier for drivers to shop around for the cheapest fuel and, as result, the CMA would expect competitive pressure on retail prices and margins to increase.



Retailers have been put on notice that the CMA will commence enforcement activities from today and firms that fail to register with Fuel Finder or to submit accurate and up-to-date pricing information risk fines. As a first step, the CMA has this week sent warning letters to hundreds of forecourts that have yet to sign up to the scheme.  

Notes to editors


  The CMA’s margin analysis is based on fuel revenue, costs, and volumes data for some of the largest firms - representing approximately 40% of petrol stations across the country.
  Unlike other research about fuel prices, the CMA has access to confidential information from fuel retailers, enabling it to conduct this analysis. It expects these findings to reflect wider trends in the market.





      
        

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CMA Reports on Fuel Market Monitoring Amid Rising Prices

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published its latest monitoring report on the road fuel market, revealing that retailer fuel margins remained largely unchanged in March despite rising fuel prices due to the Middle East crisis.

The report indicates that while average retail fuel margins were stable, some individual retailers experienced increases. The CMA is currently investigating these anomalies and will provide further updates in its May report.

Key findings from the report show that petrol and diesel prices surged by 26 and 50 pence per litre respectively between February and April. The average retail fuel margins were reported at 10.3ppl for petrol and 10.7ppl for diesel, consistent with the average margins observed in 2025.

Local price variations present opportunities for consumers to save up to £9 per tank by shopping around. The CMA emphasizes the importance of competition in the fuel retail market and has introduced the Fuel Finder scheme to enhance consumer choice and pressure on prices.

Sarah Cardell, Chief Executive of the CMA, stated that the authority is committed to ensuring that any cost reductions are passed on to consumers and will take enforcement actions against retailers that fail to comply with the Fuel Finder scheme.



CMA publishes latest monitoring report on road fuel market

ACM closes investigation into an international software company
                  

                
                                  






  







  



  
    
              
        
        
      
      
                        
          

Summary

ACM closes its investigation into a large, internationally operating software company in the business market.
ACM investigated whether the company abused its dominant position, and, as such, harmed buyers.
The investigation has yielded insufficient evidence to establish a violation.


  

  

    
      
          

      

  


                

  
    
            

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) closes its investigation into a large, internationally operating software company in the business market. ACM investigated whether the company abused its dominant position, and, as such, harmed buyers. However, the investigation has yielded insufficient evidence to establish a violation. ACM therefore closes the investigation.


The investigation into this company focused on the prices and conditions of software services. ACM had serious indications and reports suggesting that these prices and conditions were unreasonable for commercial buyers in the Netherlands. However, ACM’s investigation has yielded insufficient evidence.
Businesses with dominant positions cannot charge unreasonable prices and set unfair conditions


ACM emphasizes that businesses with dominant positions have a special responsibility. A business has a dominant position if it is able to act independently from buyers and competitors, for example, because the business makes it difficult for buyers to switch to competitors. This can be the case, for example, for software suppliers because of certain technical integrations, contractual limitations, or high switching costs.


Businesses are allowed to have a dominant position, but they cannot abuse such a position. Abuse may entail, for example, charging unreasonable prices or setting unfair conditions, because this leads to higher costs for their buyers and, ultimately, to higher prices and less innovation for consumers.
The digital economy


ACM ensures that markets remain fair and open, so that businesses are able to compete with each other on price, quality, and innovation. When receiving reports that a business abuses its dominant position, ACM can conduct an investigation and take action. The digital economy is one of ACM’s key priorities, since individuals and businesses are more and more dependent on digital services.

      

    
          
                                          
                                  
                                      See also
                      
    

30-09-2025  ACM launches investigation into abuse of dominance by an international software companyAbuse of a dominant position (in Dutch)
            
                                  
                                
                  

                
          
          
          Publication characteristics
          
                                    
                Publication date
                01-05-2026
              
                      
                                    
                Publication type
                  News

              
                      

                                          
              Press office 
              
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                Keywords
                  Digital economy,
  Abuse of dominant position

              
                      
                                    
                Subjects
                  Competition

ACM Concludes Investigation into Software Company for Abuse of Dominance

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has officially closed its investigation into a large, internationally operating software company in the business market. The focus of the investigation was to determine whether the company had abused its dominant position, potentially harming buyers in the process.

ACM had received serious indications and reports suggesting that the prices and conditions set by the software company were unreasonable for commercial buyers in the Netherlands. However, after thorough investigation, ACM concluded that there was insufficient evidence to establish a violation of competition law.

ACM highlighted that businesses with dominant positions have a special responsibility to avoid abusive practices. A dominant position allows a business to act independently from buyers and competitors, which can create barriers to switching to alternative suppliers. This is particularly relevant in the software industry, where technical integrations and contractual limitations can impose high switching costs on buyers.

While having a dominant position is not illegal, abusing that position—such as by charging unreasonable prices or imposing unfair conditions—can lead to higher costs for buyers and ultimately harm consumers through increased prices and reduced innovation. ACM remains committed to ensuring fair competition in the digital economy, which is a key priority as reliance on digital services continues to grow.

