Petrol stations in Hungary, including OMV and MOL, are working on boosting their retail segments.
Following the compulsory Sunday closure of retailers that operate on more than 200 square metres, a Hungarian-owned group operating petrol stations, MOL, is changing its strategy. The law adopted in December 2014 provides for several exemptions, including retail units at airports, train stations and petrol stations, among others.
Since 15 March, approximately 100 new products, mostly basic foodstuffs, have been added to the shelves of MOL´s 170 petrol stations in Hungary, said Lars Höglund, senior vice president for retail, MOL Group. In one third of all stations fresh bakery products have appeared, too.
Part of MOL's strategy is to increase retail market presence and country-wide coverage in the region in order to better serve customer needs, the company says on its website.
MOL is also about to make another major step to attract more customers – the group has launched a new retail brand, Fresh Corner.
According to Lars Höglund, their objective is to give Hungarian customers a chance to do their everyday grocery shopping in these outlets. The upgraded MOL shops will be tested on 10 petrol stations. Once the concept proves successful, Fresh Corners will be launched throughout Hungary, Lars Höglund said.
The first such outlets selling FMCG in Hungary had been opened at OMV petrol stations by SPAR prior to the Sunday shopping ban. In January, the chain's head of communication told ESM that as part of a pilot, SPAR has been operating small shops at five petrol stations. Márk Maczelka added that there are further negotiations with OMV regarding an increase in the number of such units.
© 2014 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article written by László Juhász
