Wal-Mart To Pump Its Own Gasoline -- February 4, 2016

From WSJ, the lede:

For most of the past 20 years, Wal-Mart has let another company build and operate gas stations in the parking lots of its stores. But last week, Wal-Mart told Murphy USA that going forward it will run its own filling stations.

Retailer’s shift is effort to eke out more profit; decision is blow for Murphy USA.

More:

For most of the past 20 years, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has let another company build and operate gas stations in the parking lots of its stores. Now, the retailer has decided it wants to pump its own gasoline.

Last week, Wal-Mart executives told Murphy USA Inc. that going forward it will build and operate its own gas stations. Murphy will continue to run the more than 1,000 locations it has already built near Wal-Mart stores.

Although oil prices have tumbled in the past year, forcing companies like BP PLC to slash thousands of jobs and Exxon Mobil Corp. to halt stock buybacks, falling prices at the pump haven’t hurt gas-station owners. While revenue from fuel sales has fallen, so have fuel expenses. Plus, cheaper gasoline leaves more cash in drivers’ pockets to buy cigarettes, snacks and other high-margin merchandise.

Much, much more at the link.