Shell stations face some closures in overcrowded marketplace
9th October 1997, Page 13
9th October 1997
Page 13
Page 13, 9th October 1997
— Shell stations face some closures in overcrowded marketplace
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• Hundreds of UK Shell forecourts face closure as part of a sweeping reorganisation of the company's European network. Admitting for the first time that its UK chain is unprofitable, Shell last week issued an ultimatum that garages which failed to break even after two years will be closed. It predicts that the UK market will contract, with a maximum of three oil giants surviving to take on the supermarket chains. 'We've got an overcrowded marketplace and weak margins," says Shell's director of European oil products, Phil Turberville. Nevertheless, in the short-term, fuel prices look set to fall as Shell brings its figures in line with its major competitors, which include Esso with its Price Watch campaign.