Petrol station chain opts for stand-alone stores

EFL OIL UK is planning to strike back against supermarkets that sell petrol, by setting up its own stand-alone stores.

Elf, like all traditional petrol station operators, has seen profits fall because of competition from supermarket chain forecourts.

The company is researching the feasibility of setting up its Le Shop forecourt retail offer as a separate entity to petrol sites. Interiors for Le Shop’s image and shop format were created by Glasgow’s Ferguson Orr Associates (DW 4 August 1995).

The research into establishing “a few stand-alone sites under the Le Shop banner” is a bid to break away from the traditional forecourt retailing of petrol stations, says an Elf spokesman.

“Forecourt retailing is one of the fastest growing sectors,” the spokesman adds. Elf aims to “break away from the traditional view of limited offers at premium prices. This will offer good value services.” Own-branded products may be introduced once the concept has established itself.

Elf is currently trialing three Le Shop forecourt sites and will roll out the new retail design alongside petrol stations at 50 new sites.

Elf “wouldn’t rule out Ferguson Orr for work on stand-alone sites” says the spokesman.