By January 2026, independent gas stations (gas stations) had lost up to 50–70% of their customers, Izvestia reports, citing Pavel Bazhenov, president of the Independent Fuel Union (NTU), and market participants. The main reason is a sharp increase in prices against the backdrop of local fuel shortages and delays in shipments between August and December 2025.
Independent gas stations were unable to keep prices at the level of large vertically integrated oil companies (VINCs), which can temporarily operate with minimal margins or even at zero. In some regions, the difference in the price per liter of gasoline reached 9.5 rubles. As a result, consumers massively switched to chain gas stations, which has already led to the closure of some small stations and creates the risk of further reductions.
From January to July 2025, small players traded gasoline at a discount to VINCs, but the situation changed from August: in October, independent gas stations sold gasoline for 4–5 rubles more on average across the country. In some regions, the discrepancy reached 6 rubles per liter and higher, which led to a significant outflow of customers. Even New Year's promotions at chain gas stations did not help to return lost consumers.