Spar to open on Total forecourts

Spar: extending forecourt presence

Total UK has announced a new partnership with Spar to supply 22 of its large format forecourt stores.

The sites are some of the largest in Total's portfolio. The conversions will start next month with a completion date in January 2007. The stores will be supplied by four of Spar's regional wholesalers: AF Blakemore, James Hall, Capper and Appleby Westward.

The announcement follows a successful trial at Total sites in Bishop Stortford, Ickenham and Ruislip. These stores were selected for trial on the basis that they represented Total UK's three main store formats: a large convenience store, a neighbourhood store and a transient site.

Paul Crane, shop, food and services manager at Total said: ?Total is constantly striving to provide customers with the ultimate shopping experience and in today's 24/7 society; convenience is certainly a top priority for us. Teaming up with a brand like Spar was an obvious choice. Spar is the largest international food retail chain in the world and a brand that in the UK is synonymous with convenience. Spar also has a proven track record in segmentation and delivering specific retail solutions to meet individual locations and customer bases.?

Spar retail director, Richard Bennett said: ?We are delighted the trial with Total has proved such a success and is now being rolled out on a wider basis. This partnership follows the announcement last month that Pace Petroleum has also chosen to change 22 of its sites to Spar.?

Crane added: ?The stores already converted illustrate how the Spar formula can successfully be adapted to Total's requirements. We are really looking forward to a successful collaboration and ongoing partnership.?

The conversion will bring the number of Spar forecourt sites to 485 and on target to meet the symbol group's aim of servicing 500 UK forecourt stores.