Couche-Tard Completes Buy of Shell's Denmark Network

LAVAL, Quebec — Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. closed on its acquisition of A/S Dansk Shell's downstream retail business in Denmark.

The European Commission gave Couche-Tard the green light to acquire the downstream retail business in Denmark, subject to divestment commitments, in March. The commission's approval came one year after Couche-Tard announced an agreement with A/S Dansk Shell to acquire its retail, commercial fuels and aviation businesses in Denmark, as CSNews Online previously reported.

Subsequent to this transaction and pending remedy divestments as previously announced, Couche-Tard's network in Denmark will include 286 company-operated-stores, 153 company-owned and dealer-operated stores, and 44 dealer-owned and dealer-operated stores. Also included are 211 automated sites.

"We are very excited to announce this new addition to the Couche-Tard family in Europe," said Brian Hannasch, president and CEO of Couche-Tard. "And it couldn't come at a better time as we are beginning the rebranding of our stations to our new global Circle K banner already this week."

As of Jan. 31, Laval-based Couche-Tard's network comprised 7,979 convenience stores throughout North America, including 6,560 stores offering road transportation fuel. Its North American network consists of 15 business units, including 11 in the United States covering 41 states and four in Canada covering all 10 provinces.

Also as of Jan. 31, its network in Europe comprised 2,218 stores, the majority of which offer road transportation fuel and convenience products, while the others are unmanned automated fuel stations. Couche-Tard also offers other products, including stationary energy, marine fuel and chemicals. Couche-Tard operates key fuel terminals and fuel depots in six European countries.

Since its acquisition of Topaz Energy Group Limited on Feb. 1, Couche-Tard also operates a convenience and fuel retailing network comprised of 444 service stations in Ireland as well as a significant commercial fuels operation, with 30-plus depots and two terminals.

In addition, around 1,500 stores are operated by independent operators under the Circle K banner in 13 other countries or regions worldwide.