South African private equity firm Millat Group and global energy business Puma Energy have concluded an agreement to roll out internationally-recognised retail store brand ‘Circle K’, at Puma Energy’s forecourts across the country. The move is anticipated to improve South Africa’s convenience store landscape. According to a statement, the partnership grants Millat an exclusive licence to develop Circle K stores around the country.
Image: Supplied Five more stores are set to open in Gauteng and in the North West province in the coming months, including a standalone operation at the University of Johannesburg, which will open at the end of January 2023. The roll-out is expected to continue throughout Puma Energy’s current network of 112 retail sites in South Africa. The agreement is expected to see the employment and training of around 2 000 people, further boosting the retail industry’s supply chain in the country.