Corner Store Adds Esso Brand to Fuel Portfolio

SAN ANTONIO and MONTREAL -- CST Brands Inc., one of the largest retailers of convenience merchandise and motor fuels in North America, signed an agreement with Imperial Oil Ltd. that will enable it to sell Esso-branded gasoline in Canada.

CST will add the Esso brand to the portfolio of gasoline brands in its Corner Store network, and also intends to offer Esso to its gasoline retailers. Over the next few months, both companies will identify various sales locations in Canada in order to finalize the new relationship.

"CST's agreement with Imperial is part of our strategic development plan in Canada. By signing agreements with oil companies to market branded fuel, the presence of the Corner Store banners will have a greater presence in the Canadian marketplace," said Christian Houle, senior vice president, Canadian Retail, for CST Brands. "Adding a recognized brand like Esso will be an asset for CST, which intends to accelerate its development in Toronto and in western Ontario."

This year, CST Brands is continuing to execute on its strategic initiatives, which includes building 38 new stores in North America and "playing an active role in the consolidation that characterizes the industry in order to boost sales and lower costs," according to Houle.

Based in San Antonio, CST Brands has nearly 1,900 convenience stores throughout the southwestern United States and eastern Canada, operating under the Corner Store and Dépanneur du Coin banners.