Market Research and Consulting...
Lubricants, Base Oils, Additives, Waxes, and More
Petroleum Trends International, Inc. is an independent strategic planning and market research consulting firm.Since 1999, Petroleum Trends International has specialized in custom market research and business consulting services in the lubricant, petroleum wax and fuel space.
JobbersWorld
Retail Lubricant Price Tracker*
Since 2001, through its JobbersWorld publication, Petroleum Trends
International (PTI) has been tracking and reporting on the price of
motor oils and transmission fluids sold at retail outlets. The
Retail Lubricant Price Tracker includes pricing by brand name and
tiers, including conventional, synthetic, and mid-tier lubricant
brands sold at big box retailers and auto parts stores.
OverviewAs of November 1, most lubricant manufacturers in the US announced three finished lubricant price increases in 2018. The first round took place with announcements going out late December 2017 and January 2018. The announcements spoke to increases taking effect in February and early March. A second round followed in April/May and a third in June/July, 2018. On average, each increase moved the producer price of motor oils up by 7%. The realized increases were lower, however, due to pushback, particularly on the third round. In addition, the intensity of competition is sighted as factor, especially in the installed class of trade.
 Consistent with the three lubricant price increases announced in 2018, the price of motor oils also moved up at retail stores. They did not, however, increase at the combined rate of 21% coming from the three announced increases by manufacturers. This is not unusual since companies included in the retail class of trade surveyed are large buyers with notable buying power and very competitive retail pricing.
Another continuing trend is the increased presence of jugs on retail shelves. This is best illustrated by the population of jugs observed at several Walmarts. While jugs account for 120 linear feet of shelf space with 180 facings, quart bottles are displayed on 40 feet with 100 facings. In addition, there were two end cap and one pallet displays observed. |
Retail PCMO Prices at the Leading Big Box Store, 2001 to Q4 2018
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The retail price of passenger car motor oil (PCMO) at the leading big
box store has moved through an interesting period of evolution over the
years. The most noticeable and expected change is that prices have gone
up. The sharpest increases were seen in the period from 2006 to 2011. Over this time the average price of motor oils at the leading big box store increased by 63%. Although prices in the conventional and mid-tier categories flatten from 2011 to 2017, the price of synthetics continued to ramp up until 2017 when it started to flatten. This pricing dynamic is reportedly the result of increased competition for the consumers wallet as demand continue to migrate from the conventional and high mileage motor oils to synthetics. Where synthetics were once boutique products favored by car enthusiast and hobbyist, today they have become mainstream motor oils. This is due in part to an increased number of car manufacturers either directly recommending synthetics or viscosity grades that can only be achieved with the use of synthetic base oils. |
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Leading Big Box Retailer Average PCMO Prices By Type
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The average price for motor oil at the leading big box retailer in the
US in Q4 2018 ranges from $4.24 to $7.52 a quart for conventional and synthetic motor oils, respectively. The average price for conventional went up approximately
15% since Q4 2017, and the average price for synthetic went up close to
1.5% over Q4 2017.
At a price of $9.78 a quart, Royal Purple High Performance is the highest price average synthetic observed at the leading big box store. Mobil 1 Extended Performance is the second highest priced synthetic at $9.16 a quart. The lowest average priced passenger car motor oil conventional seen is the store branded private label product. The price observed for these motor oils in Q4 2018 is $2.78 a quart, up close to 15% from 2017. |
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Leading Auto Parts Average PCMO Prices By Type
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The average price for motor oil at five of the leading auto parts
stores in the US in Q42018 ranges from $6.43 to $9.98 a quart for conventional and synthetic motor oils, respectively. The average price for conventional
increased approximately
19% since Q4 2017, and the price for synthetic is up approximately 11%.
At a price of $11.34 a quart, Mobil 1 Annual Protection is the highest averaged price synthetic observed at auto parts stores. Pennzoil Platinum High Mileage is a close second at $10.75 a quart. The lowest average price passenger car motor oil seen is the store brand's conventional private label product. The price observed for these motor oils in Q4 averages $4.51 a quart, which is approximately 5% higher than seen in Q4 2017. |
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Leading Big Box and Auto Parts Average PCMO Prices By Type
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The average price of motor oil at the leading big box store in the US is 25 to 38% lower than the average price at auto parts stores. The greatest difference is seen in the high mileage motor oil category where the average price at
the big box store is 38% lower than the price at auto parts stores in Q4 2018.
The least difference in price is seen in the synthetic PCMO category. The average price of synthetic at the leading big box store is $7.52 a quart as compared to an average of $9.98 a quart at auto parts stores. This represents a difference of 25%. |
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Leading Big Box Retailer Conventional PCMO Prices
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The price of conventional PCMO at the leading Big Box retailer in the US ranges from $2.78 to $4.97 a quart in
Q4
2018. The average price is $4.24 a quart.
Castrol is the highest price conventional PCMO at the leading box store at $4.97 a quart.
Mobil Super is the lowest price major brands at $3.89.
Private label remains the lowest price conventional PCMO at the leading Big Box store at $2.78 a quart in
Q4 2018. This price is 44% lower than the highest price conventional on the shelves. |
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Leading Auto Parts Stores Conventional PCMO Prices
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The price of conventional PCMO at the leading auto parts stores in the US ranges from $4.51 to $7.53 a quart in
Q4
2018. The average price for the conventional brand category at all auto parts stores surveyed is $6.43 a quart.
On average, Castrol
is the highest price conventional PCMO at the leading auto parts stores at $7.53 a quart.
Mobil Super is the lowest price major brand at $5.53 a quart.
Private label remains the lowest price conventional PCMO at the leading auto parts stores at $4.51 a quart in
Q4
2018. |
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Leading Big Box Retailer High Mileage PCMO Prices
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Leading Auto Parts Stores High Mileage PCMO Prices
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Leading Big Box Retailer Synthetic Blend PCMO Prices
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Leading Auto Parts Stores Synthetic Blend PCMO Prices
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Leading Big Box Retailer Full Synthetic PCMO Prices
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Leading Auto Parts Stores Full Synthetic PCMO Prices
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* Note: The prices shown are based on a sampling and as such may not necessarily reflect prices at any given store during the survey period or instore and/or online discounts offered at the time of the survey. Petroleum Trends International, Inc. (PTI) accepts no liability for any inaccuracies or omissions in this website pricing data and any decisions based on information contained in the PTI’s website are the sole responsibility of the visitor.