Superquinn has abandoned plans to set up a chain of forecourt stores with Texaco after a trial proved the company's distribution system was not really geared towards c-store retailing.
Superquinn announced plans to set up a chain of 20-30 SuperQ branded forecourt sites with Texaco in and around Dublin last March. Under the deal, Texaco would find and manage the sites while Superquinn would supply groceries, fresh produce and hot food to go.
However, it soon became clear that c-stores presented too many logistical challenges for Superquinn, said deputy chairman Eamonn Quinn. "We realised we didn't want to get any more involved. Instead we want to focus on our own brand fresh food, soup, meat and sausages to sell to other retailers. It's early days, but we'd like to open discussions with other operators as well as Texaco about supplying our brands for their outlets."
The three SuperQ sites developed with Texaco will be rebadged to a new format, he added.
Separately, Superquinn is looking at a further two sites for larger stores in the Dublin area next year to take its store portfolio up to 21.

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