Having in mind market conditions and Strategy 2030+ goals in Serbia, we are focused on the transformation of our service stations into places that are more than petrol stations
Mr Milenko Janković, CEO of MOL Serbia, reveals in this interview how they cope with the actual energy crisis and how they plan to become the first choice of the customers in fuel and convenience retailing in Serbia and the region.
We are facing a major energy crisis. What are your predictions when it comes to winter? Is MOL ready, and what trends in terms of fuel prices in Serbia in the period to come do you expect?
Following the pandemic that affected many segments which also forced us to adjust our business activities, this year, our industry, under the geopolitical influence, is facing a completely unpredictable, very volatile, and uncertain business environment. Regulatory measures in local markets, including Serbia, make our business activities even more difficult. We in MOL are trying to preserve the stability of the oil derivatives market, especially when it comes to supplies. Along the way, we encounter many challenges: an overhaul of refineries in the region and low water levels on the Danube that have reduced barge loads and transport of fuel. We are constantly in touch with representatives of the Serbian Government, as well as the Association of Petroleum Companies of Serbia, and we have been given significant support by the Hungarian Embassy in Serbia in order to find sustainable and flexible solutions for stable supplies during the upcoming period. Thanks to our storage capacities in Serbia, as well as the commitment of our employees, our service stations in Serbia, have sufficient quantities of MOL EVO and EVO Plus fuel. In terms of fuel prices in Serbia, they will depend on the prices on the global market and regulatory measures. I don’t think anyone can predict the trend for the following months at this moment.
Which are the new stations of MOL in Serbia? What is the coverage of Serbia, and where can we expect new stations in the near future?
In the period behind us, we opened service stations in Užice and Zlatibor region – Bela Zemlja and Prijepolje. I am proud of our team that manages to open new stations and bring MOL closer to customers even in these challenging times. For MOL Serbia, those two locations are very important since we want to increase our presence in that part of Serbia and introduce our products and services. We are focused on main roads where there is a need for service stations. One of the goals in Serbia, in accordance with MOL Group Strategy 2030 + “Shape Tomorrow”, is to continuously expand our retail network and to work on the transformation of the existing stations in order to provide excellent service and high-quality products.
What are MOL’s financial results according to the latest financial statement published in June? How do you comment on them?
MOL Group published H1 results which show that despite all the challenges, we have recorded strong performance. Upstream and Downstream segments were able to mitigate the impact of fuel price regulation in some of the countries we have operations. Consumption and sales volumes in most of the markets are rising, including Serbian markets, but the price cap has a negative impact on our retail results.
Our industry, under the geopolitical influence, is facing a completely unpredictable, very volatile, and uncertain business environment
Having in mind market conditions and Strategy 2030+ goals in Serbia, we are focused on the transformation of our service stations into places that are more than petrol stations. Also, we go more deeply into food and convenience offers. At this moment, our main duty is to maintain the security of supply despite all challenges and obstacles.
What do service station transformations mean?
Our desire is to offer customers more than just a place to fill up with fuel – a place where they can finish basic shopping, drink good Fresh Corner coffee, and take a break from a long journey at one of MOL Serbia Fresh Corner restaurants taste delicious hot-dog, sandwiches and pastries. We are expanding our products portfolio range, and recently we have introduced in Serbia MOL brand products – JIM energy drink and Crunch&Go chips, developed to meet the needs of our customers, keeping up with market trends. Also, following comments and customers’ suggestions, we improve the MOL GO application and offer additional benefits to MOL Plus Klub loyalty program members. Our goal is to become the first choice of the customers in fuel and convenience retailing in Serbia and the region.