Convenience stores back on Morrisons’ list as they sign forecourt deal

MORRISONS is piloting a convenience food offering in petrol filling station shops in a deal with Motor Fuel Group.

David Potts signed on the dotted line to try the new offering, after selling the convenience store legacy of his predecessor, Dalton Philips, to Mike Greene for £25m.

Morrisons offloaded 130 M Local stores, which have been rebranded My Local by the retail entrepreneur, who yesterday said the retailer had made “basic errors” that led to them selling off the loss-making sites.

In the new deal with Motor Fuel Group, headed by Terry Leahy, Morrisons will supply branded and own-brand food to five of the forecourt stores owned by the group.

Every store is more than 1,200 sq.ft and will be branded as a Morrisons, with deliveries of fresh and ambient food through Morrisons own logistics network.

David Potts, chief executive of Morrisons, said: “As we said at our recent interim results, we want to consider new opportunities to Serve Customers Better in the convenience market where the capital commitment is low and the Morrisons resourcing is light-touch.

“This pilot in Motor Fuel Group filling stations will allow us to trial one opportunity in this growing channel.”

MFG is the second largest independent operator in the UK with 373 stations operating under the BP, Shell, Texaco and JET fuel brands.