Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 27, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 27, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleAsda is facing temporary fuel shortages at some forecourts due to surging demand prompted by the US‑Israeli war on Iran, with motorists fuelling frequently amid fears of price hikes and supply disruptions.
LONDON, March 27 (Reuters) - British supermarket Asda is experiencing temporary fuel shortages at some of its forecourts after a surge in demand driven by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, its boss said on Friday.
Motorists are filling up more frequently amid fears of rising prices and potential supply disruption from the conflict. Asda is Britain’s second largest motor fuel retailer after Tesco.
Allan Leighton, Asda’s executive chairman, said fuel sales had increased significantly since the war started at the end of last month.
"We're not getting any more than our allocation from the suppliers. If your allocation is the same and your (sales) volumes are up, then your stocks are going to go down, it's as simple as that," he told reporters after Asda published annual results.
Leighton said the "spikiness" of demand meant it was a difficult situation to manage.
"Those spikes can lead to temporary shortages. That can be a pump, a product, unleaded petrol or diesel, a site. But they're temporary and they tend to get redressed very quickly," he said.
"You can expect to see that while this (war) continues."
Earlier this month, Britain's finance ministry met petrol retailers following claims they were profiteering from rising fuel prices.
"It's very clear that that is not the case," said Leighton, noting Asda's margin "will be down".
"The government are getting a lot of money off the back of this," he said. "Instead of pointing the finger at everyone else, which it does on a consistent basis, it ought to point the finger at itself."
Leighton said Asda's food and general merchandise supply chain was generally holding up during the crisis. However, he said an impact on inflation was inevitable.
(Reporting by James Davey; editing by Sarah Young)
Asda is facing fuel shortages due to a surge in demand driven by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, causing motorists to fill up more frequently.
No, the shortages are temporary and usually resolved quickly, according to Asda's executive chairman Allan Leighton.
Asda denies profiteering, stating that their fuel margin will be down and the government benefits more from the situation.
The Iran conflict has led to increased fears of price hikes and supply disruptions, prompting higher-than-normal fuel sales at retailers like Asda.
Asda reports that its food and general merchandise supply chain is generally holding up during the crisis, though an impact on inflation is likely.
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