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Grocer launches live tracker for fuel prices

Grocer launches live tracker for fuel prices

The Grocer has introduced a digital tool designed to track real-time fuel prices across major supermarket chains and national canopy brands. This system, built in collaboration with Fuel Finder UK, pulls data from information submitted to the government’s official fuel monitoring service to provide updated cost metrics throughout the day.

The interface displays average costs for various retail groups, highlighting both the highest and lowest prices currently available. It also maps out daily and weekly shifts to offer a granular view of market movement. At the time of the release, Shell recorded the highest averages, with diesel averaging 187.4ppl and petrol 165.3ppl. Among supermarkets, Morrisons is the cheapest for petrol at 158.7ppl, while Tesco is cheapest for diesel and averages 178.8p.

According to the developer Scott Benson, the tool aims to address significant price variations between locations, even those under the same brand. Providing this level of visibility allows motorists to compare local costs more effectively. Simplifying this information is useful because fuel prices can vary significantly, so greater transparency gives motorists a real opportunity to shop around and save.

Regulatory Oversight of Retail Margins

This launch arrives as the Competition & Markets Authority moves to increase scrutiny of retail pricing strategies. The regulator is currently investigating whether drops in wholesale costs are being transferred to drivers in a timely fashion. A recent report indicated that while supermarket margins dipped earlier this summer, certain non-supermarket retailers maintained or increased their margins despite falling wholesale costs.

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The authority noted concerns regarding weak competition and the speed at which price changes reach the consumer. The new dashboard shows that as of 25 August 2026, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, and Morrisons have reduced petrol prices compared to one week ago. Conversely, the major oil brands have seen their prices rise during the same period.

Fuel prices can vary by several pence per litre even within the same town. The tool’s daily refresh cycle means users are less likely to encounter stale information when planning a fill-up.

The tracker can be viewed here.

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