Canadian convenience retailer Couche-Tard has declined to comment on reports that it plans to open convenience stores in United Arab Emirates.

Couche-Tard plans to open 100 convenience stores in the United Arab Emirates over the next four years under its Circle K banner, according to the UAE-based newspaper The National.

The reports stated that the retailer has also agreed a leasing deal in Saudi Arabia to “add up to 400 shops in petrol stations around the kingdom”. It added that managing director for Convenience Arabia, Circle K’s franchise partner, Fahmi Al Shawa said: “The convenience sector is seriously underdeveloped in the UAE”.

He added that most small stores in the country “do not have a standard offering, branding or unified pricing”.

When contacted by just-food today (30 November), the company said it has no comment on the reports.

Couche-Tard’s wholly-owned indirect subsidiary has more than 3,300 stores across the USA and over 4,000 international locations, which sell coffee, snacks, confectionery and general merchandise.

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