At the pumps, big boxes trump gas stations
Low profit margins mean gas stations are getting beat by retailers like Costco
Big box retailer gas stations have been growing, while traditional gas stations across Canada are disappearing, according to a new study.
While there were 12,285 gas pumps across Canada at the end of last year,down from 12,710 in 2010, said a study by MJ Ervin & Associates by petroleum consultancy.
The company estimates that 77% of Canada’s gas stations were operated by "non-refiner marketers", which includes big-box retailers, a growing segment in 2012. This figure was up from 74% in 2010.
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