Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc

Description

Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc is a Canada-based multinational convenience store company. Founder Alain Bouchard opened the first of its kind in Laval, Quebec, in 1980 and expanded its business in other countries across the globe over the years.

Headquartered in Quebec, the company deals in goods for immediate consumption, mobility services and other products through stores and franchise operations.

The company operates under different brands, including:
• Couche-Tard: It is a flagship brand of the company, with a history of more than 40 years. It operates in nearly 650 locations.
• Circle K: Alimentation Couche-Tard acquired the brand Circle K in 2003. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company, operating nearly 2,754 stores across Europe. The brand has a presence in over 26 countries and territories.
• Ingo: The company’s third brand, Ingo, has 450 automated fuel stations.

The entire group is said to be one of the largest independent convenience stores with over 9,257 stores in the United States, Canada and European countries. It provides an extensive network of convenience stores and road transportation fuel retail in Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

In Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Ireland and Poland, the company majorly has gas stations and provides aviation fuel. It has nearly 341 convenience stores in Hong Kong.

The convenience stores offer a wide range of goods, including grocery, snacks, burgers, cakes, ice creams, beverages, juices, fresh fruits etc.

The Canadian convenience store is said to be the leader in the industry, with over 1,625 stores, and ninth largest convenience retailer in North America.

In 2008, Couche-Tard partnered with GR Vietnam International Limited to strengthen Circle K brand’s presence in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The company and its Circle K brand has partnered with IONITY, a joint venture of major automakers, to develop high power charging (HPC) stations for electric vehicles across Europe. A network of 400 HPCs stations is likely to be developed through the partnership. IONITY is a joint venture of Ford Motor Company, Volkswagen Group, BMW Group, Audi and others.