P-Mart, the first convenience store of Petrolimex at a filling station in Hoài Đức District of Hà Nội. — Photo bnews.vn

HÀ NỘI — The Việt Nam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) is planning to open convenience stores at its gas stations, most of which have favourable locations across the country.

It has more than 5,000 gas stations, nearly half of which are directly run by the firm, while the remaining are franchised.

At a shareholders’ meeting in April, Petrolimex general director Phạm Đức Thắng said the plan needs thorough consideration because the group’s gas stations currently sell only its own products like insurance, lubricants and liquid detergents.

Petrolimex is working with Japan’s JX Nippon Oil to include services at gas stations, he said. In Japan, JX Nippon Oil provides auto repair and registration services at its gas stations.

In 2017, Petrolimex opened a convenience store named P-Mart at a filling station in Hà Nội's Hoài Đức District, selling lubricants, detergents, beverages and processed food, among other items. However, the model has not been expanded.

The model of combining convenience stores at gas stations is well-developed in the US, Australia and other Asian countries.

In Australia, the Caltex Group co-operated with Woolworth Supermarkets to set up 250 convenience stores selling food and essential goods at Caltex gas stations.

Woolworth is responsible for providing products to the convenience stores. — VNS