Circle K New Zealand is set to roll out more than 100 stores together with some of the first purpose-built EV service stations in the country.

The expansion plan will be carried out under a franchising partnership with Pamma Retail Group (PRG), which aims to see 2 per cent of NZ’s estimated 5000 c-stores converted to the Circle K brand and retail fit-out.

Site development director at Circle K NZ, Iqubal Basra, said by achieving the company’s store growth target, Circle K is expected to become one of the country’s largest grocery convenience and foodservice retail chains.

According to Basra, the company is looking for 200sqm sites that can open 24/7 but can also work with sites with smaller footprints or operate on reduced hours in rural or lower-traffic areas.

“The larger stores are a hybrid of a convenience store and prepared food outlet,” Basra said. “They will carry more than 2000 different SKUs.”

Meanwhile, the chain is also set to launch several EV charging and petrol stations as the company sees changes in the fuel outlets are designed. Basra said the next decade would see a seismic shift in convenience and oil retail as income from traditional revenue streams evolve through the introduction of new technology and a focus on a sustainable growth platform.

“We’re now actively searching for service station sites and operators throughout New Zealand that will be designed specifically to accommodate the local growth in the country’s EV fleet,” said Basra.