Gasoline consumption declines

Monday, June 16, 2008

From an article by Brian Reisinger in the Wausau Daily Herald:

As soaring gas prices take their toll, consumers in central Wisconsin seem ready to do something about it.

Riiser Energy, which owns 26 convenience stores primarily in central Wisconsin, has seen overall fuel sales decline a "significant" amount in recent months compared to the previous year, president and chief executive officer Jim Kemerling said.

"I think people are cutting back," Kemerling said. "There's no doubt about it."

Sales in 2008 began slightly above the previous year's, but in March that trend reversed, with gallons of fuel sold declining by about 6 percent from the previous year, Kemerling said. Sales declined 4 percent in April from the previous year and 6 percent in May.

Consumption seemed to decline when gas per gallon topped the "$3.20 barrier," Kemerling said.