Norwegian drivers need to brace for major changes when they’re out driving this year. The country’s three largest petrol station chains are all set to change their identities or product lines.
In addition to Statoil becoming “Circle K” by late spring, Esso stations in Norway will soon boast different inventory in their convenience stores. Newspaper Dagens Næringsliv (DN) reported recently that the Deli de Luca chain will take over for Esso’s “On the Run” stores that have been prevalent on Norwegian roads the past several years.
“We will set a new standard on the road,” Deli de Luca chief Tormod Lier told DN, which reported a “gigantic” wave of acquisitions and new operating agreements nationwide. More than half of Norway’s petrol stations have been in play over the past year, leading to new signage and services.
NorgesGruppen, the grocery store conglomerate that also owns Deli de Luca, will take over operation of 107 Esso stations through a 10-year “alliance” with the oil major. In addition to more than 300 Statoil stations become “Circle K” stations, Finnish company St1 Nordic Oy is taking over Shell’s 420 stations in Norway. Some will remain “Shell” while others will be converted to St1.
newsinenglish.no staff
