Spar to Partner Maxol on Forecourt in Northern Ireland

October 1, 2009

Spar is partnering Maxol on the forecourt in Northern Ireland in a five-year deal worth £200m.

Under the agreement, 29 Maxol convenience stores will be re-branded as Spar.

The move follows a trial of the Spar franchise at a number of Maxol sites in 2005 and means that all Maxol’s company-owned service stations in Northern Ireland will now operate under the Spar brand.

Maxol, meanwhile, will provide petroleum fuels to 13 service stations owned by the Henderson Group, which will be branded with the distinctive Maxol blue and yellow forecourt image.

Brian Donaldson and Patrick Doody: expansion opportunity for Spar and Maxol

Brian Donaldson, general manager, marketing and retail of the Maxol Group, said: “This deal will consolidate Maxol’s position as the undisputed market leader in the petrol retailing market in Northern Ireland and will lay down a strong platform for the future growth of our business. “Both Maxol and the Henderson Group are locally owned, family-run businesses which, despite the economic downturn, have continued to invest in their businesses, and both share a commitment to provide the highest standards of customer care.

“Spar has an established reputation for value and an extensive portfolio of convenience products which importantly, from our customers’ point of view, means we can expand the range of products we provide them.”

Patrick Doody, sales and marketing director, Henderson Wholesale, said: “This deal is excellent news for our business, allowing us to expand our portfolio of Spar stores throughout the Province alongside our fuel partner Maxol.

“The combination of two strong brands, Spar and Maxol, will result in a first-class convenience store and petrol forecourt solution for the consumer. We look forward to working together on this project and bringing all the benefits of the Spar brand to these sites.”