Retail Decisions to Double From Here

srpactive - No intention of filtering you at all - I am trying to reach a fair conclusion over RTD and am open to all views.

I am quite capable of weighing views up and deciding for myself, and dismiss those I feel offer no substance - that is everyones perogative.

Re: your arguments - Yes I am convinced on the CNP side (although your left wing views on Blair and Bush is an ironic one to hold, especially by one holding shares with such a vested interest in the oil price !), but it is the fact that Fuelserve is in a slower groth sector that has led me to this bearish view.

Why go fo a company in a sector that is dominated by such majors ? All the oil giants seem to offer cards as well as Fleet management companies such as PHH. CC as you point out knows the market but I nontheless find this strange.

Heres a question for you.

If you were a prospective customer interested in sourcing fuel what factors would you look for.

I would suggest,

1. Price, inevitably. Fuelserve argues that it can compete here, and offers a competitive advantage. Maybe they can.
2. Number of outlets card can be used. Fuelserve can not compete here in the short-term, with Shell, texaco,All Star etc - Look at the stats.
3. Reports available for management info eg Spend by cost centre - Seems standard across the board.
4. Other offerings - again the majors offer these, eg discount tolls, breakdown recovery etc.

Any others ?

I have also in my posts questionned the major customers and their "attractiveness". DHL is a legacy and once the tie in finishes, theres no obvious reason (now) why they would stay. Additionally, the two other principle customers are shipping companies. How were these sourced. I personally suspect (but don't know) that these would have close relationships with DHL, as an international freight company and perhaps this is why they contracted in. Now that Fuelserve is free of DHL, will these companies remain ?

As a final point - I am a holder of RTD shares, who is taking up my o/o allocation, but with a strategy of bailing out around the 25p mark. I therefore have an interest in RTD's success. I don't feel that my views are responsible for RTD's fall !