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RETAIL STRATEGY
Puma Energy opening another forecourt supermarket in Rep. of Congo
By our News Team | 2023
Third joint-venture forecourt outlet in the country as the energy company seeks to enhance its retail offering in various parts of Africa.
Fuel and energy company Puma Energy is soon to open its third joint-venture forecourt supermarket in the Republic of Congo with La Pointe, a local Lebanese-owned supermarket chain.
According to a report published by Trendtype, a consultancy specialising in emerging market business intelligence, La Pointe already has other collaborations with Puma in the cities of Pointe-Noire and Brazzaville.
Puma Energy service station in the Republic of Congo. Photo by Nicolas Rouzé
La Pointe opened its first supermarket in the commercial heart of Pointe-Noire in 2020. The chain sells Carrefour private label products and is also the local distributor for ABC detergents and Glory energy drink, as well as being a major distributor of Colruyt’s Boni and Everyday private label brands.
Puma Energy has 36 service stations in the Republic of Congo, of which 16 are in Pointe-Noire, 12 are located in Brazzaville and two are in Dolisie. Across Africa, Puma Energy operates in 15 countries overall and has a retail network of almost 700 outlets.
Enhancing South African retail offering
In November last year, the company agreed a forecourt deal with Millat Convenience, a subsidiary of the Johannesburg-based Millat Group, to explore giving Millat Convenience access to over a hundred Puma Energy retail sites across South Africa to roll out the popular Circle K convenience stores.
The first store has already opened at a Puma Energy service station in Moreleta Park, Pretoria.
“This partnership aligns with our plans to create high-quality fuel and convenience outlets where customers can access all their fuel and daily shopping needs at clean, friendly and convenient retail sites. Footfall at the Moreleta Park facility has already exceeded initial expectations,” said Janet Sithole, Puma Energy’s Non-Fuels Retail Manager for Africa.
Through the agreement with Millat Convenience, Puma Energy says it aims to draw customers to their service stations and to keep them as frequent visitors. The Circle K stores will offer customers a variety of freshly made on-site food, as well as several new imported candy and confectionary brands.
Puma Energy has a network of 112 retail sites across South Africa, with a variety of convenience retail offerings, car washes and quick-service food outlets.
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