National gas station count growing again thanks to stronger profit margins
CALGARY — The number of gasoline stations in Canada grew for the second consecutive year in 2016 after a 10-year decline that resulted in the loss of one in five outlets.
The Kent Group’s annual census showed a net increase of 15 outlets in 2016, taking the total to almost 12,000 or about three stations for every 10,000 people. Just over 100 stations were added in 2015.
The survey by the retail fuel industry consulting firm comes as large refining companies sell their retailing divisions to buyers who continue to use the same brands.
Imperial Oil sold its last 500 Esso-branded retail gas stations to five fuel distributors for $2.8 billion last year. Chevron Canada recently agreed to sell 129 Vancouver-area stations and its B.C. refinery for $1.5 billion to Alberta’s Parkland Fuel.