Auchan to open 400 proximity shops in Petrom fuel stations in Romania in the next five years

OMV Petrom, the largest energy company in Southeastern Europe, controlled by Austrian group OMV, and Auchan Retail Romania, the local subsidiary of French food retailer Auchan, will extend their partnership for opening MyAuchan proximity stores in Petrom filling stations.

Some 400 MyAuchan proximity shops will open in the Petrom network over the next five years.

The existing shop area in the Petrom filling stations will be refurbished to host the MyAuchan proximity shops. Depending on each station’s area, up to 2,500 products of a wide variety will be available on-shelf, from food products, including fresh produce, fruit and vegetables, to non-food products such as cosmetics, detergents, baby products and car accessories.

Petrom’s filling stations will enter a far-reaching modernization process which will include, besides the setting up of MyAuchan stores, the replacement of brand identity elements, as well as works in the outdoor area of the pumps and related services (car wash, LPG fueling).

“Extending the partnership with Auchan Retail România to the entire Petrom filling stations network is an important step, but also a milestone in our strategy to improve our customers’ experience. With only one stop, our customers will be able to shop for their groceries while fueling their cars, thus saving time. This is a unique and innovative approach on the Romanian market and meets the expectations of the modern consumers and of the young generation, whose daily schedules are dynamic and alert,” said Radu Căprău, member of OMV Petrom’s Executive Board, responsible for Downstream Oil.

“After the tests made in the last three years since the start of the pilot-project, we managed to set up a MyAuchan store model to meet in the best way the needs of motorized customers, but also of those living in the vicinity because our concept is that of a proximity store, with food and non-food products and a unique shopping experience,” added Ionuț Ardeleanu, general manager Auchan Retail Romania.

The cooperation between OMV Petrom and Auchan started in 2017 with a pilot phase when MyAuchan proximity stores were opened in Petrom filling stations, in both urban and rural areas in Romania. In February 2019, OMV Petrom and Auchan signed a memorandum of understanding to analyze the extension of the collaboration into a long-term partnership. The Competition Council approved the memorandum in July last year.

At the end of 2019, OMV Petrom and Auchan Retail Romania had 17 MyAuchan proximity stores opened in Petrom filling stations.

(Photo source: Cristi Croitoru/Dreamstime.com)