Their price changes are determined as much by local competition considerations as by international crude prices. If one of the companies makes a move, the others are likely to follow. Crude oil is only one factor influencing the retail price of petrol. Esso claims that a retailer makes only about 5p for each litre of unleaded sold for 84p, with 61p going straight to the government in taxes. The retailer's 5p has to cover other expenses including transportation, storage and processing as well as credit card charges, which alone work out at more than 1p a litre, according to Esso.
Competition can also be fierce.
Shell claims not to have made a profit selling petrol in the UK for three years. On the face of it, yes. Wholesale petrol prices have dropped to early 2000 levels but pump prices are about 4p a litre higher on average than a year ago. Accusations of profiteering are again being made. However, retail prices can take some time to follow wholesale price movements.