PORT HOPE, Ontario -- In Port Hope, Ontario, CST Brands Inc. inaugurated its first gas station under the Esso banner in Canada. In July 2014, CST and the Imperial Oil Co. forged an agreement allowing it to resell Esso-brand fuel to Canadian motorists.
Located 60 miles east of Toronto in a strategic traffic corridor, the Port Hope Esso gas station operated by includes a Corner Store convenience store.
"This is a major step in our Canadian development strategy. By reaching agreements with well-known oil companies such as Imperial to commercialize brands of fuel, we hope to strengthen our presence in the various Canadian markets, particularly in Ontario" said Christian Houle, senior vice president of Canadian retail at CST Brands. "Esso is a major brand, and we are proud to now offer it not only to consumers, but also to independent retailers who wish to associate themselves with this banner."
He added, "Other sites are currently being considered and will be the subject of forthcoming announcements. In fact, CST plans to open between 40 and 50 new stores in North America in 2015, all banners combined. … In 2014, CST continued to implement its strategic initiatives, with the construction of 38 new stores in North America, and [it] actively took part in consolidating the industry in order to stimulate sales and reduce costs."
CST Brands is one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America. Based in San Antonio, it has nearly 1,900 locations throughout the southwestern United States, New York and eastern Canada.
In the United States, CST's Corner Stores sell Valero-branded fuel and products such as Fresh Choices baked and packaged goods, U Force energy and sport drinks, Cibolo Mountain coffee, FC Soda and Flavors2Go fountain drinks.
In Canada, CST is the exclusive provider of Ultramar fuel and its Dépanneur du Coin and Corner Stores sell signature Transit Café coffee and pastries.
It also has a partnership with CrossAmerica Partners, Allentown, Pa., a leading wholesale distributor of motor fuels and owner and lessee of real estate used in the retail distribution of motor fuels. Its general partner, CrossAmerica GP LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of CST Brands. Formed in 2012, CrossAmerica Partners distributes fuel to more than 1,100 locations and owns or leases more than 625 sites in 16 states: Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, Florida, New York, Massachusetts, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Maine, Tennessee, Maryland, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia and Virginia.
The companies together have acquired the Canastota, N.Y.-based Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes Inc., a 77-unit chain of convenience stores in New York; Hudson, Wis.-based Erickson Oil Products Inc., which operates 64 convenience stores located in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and South Dakota; and 22 Timewise convenience stores in Texas from Houston-based Landmark Industries.
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