Maxi Foods in new discount fuel push
18.08.2009, 23:47
MAXI Foods is muscling in on Ballarat's discount petrol market.
The supermarket chain has closed its on-site petrol station in Creswick Rd to enter a partnership with fuel giant BP.
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Under the deal, Maxi Foods shoppers can save four cents per litre on fuel at three Ballarat BP service stations when they spend $30 on groceries.
The offer comes as the retailer moves to step up competition against Coles Myer and Woolworths.
Woolworths has been offering discount fuel to shoppers for about seven years under the Caltex Safeway Plus Petrol banner, while Coles Myer entered the petrol voucher scheme two years ago with Shell Coles Express.
Maxi Foods proprietor Brendan Blake said the supermarket started the scheme with BP about four weeks ago and was now able to offer customers diesel and LPG fuels which were unavailable at the on-site supermarket service station.
He said the Maxi Foods service station was built 16 years ago on the former Jewel store site and was the first in Australia to be linked to a supermarket.
"We were the pioneers and Coles and Safeway have actually tagged along," Mr Blake said.
"It's (petrol) been part of the business for a long time so when it comes to competition it's no issue for us because it's always been part of the business."
Coles Myer and Woolworths were unconcerned about the extra competition.
Coles Express spokeswoman Debbie O'Brien said the company believed it offered the best deal for customers.
"Petrol retailing, like grocery retailing, has always been intensely competitive ... that's good news for customers," Ms O'Brien said.
"We believe our offer is the best in the market in Ballarat."
Woolworths spokeswoman Natalie Faber-Castell said the chain was confident customers would continue to support Safeway's fuel offer.
"... we are happy with our petrol discount scheme and are confident in the convenience it brings to not only locals but to shoppers from all around the country."