Spar has signed up 18 forecourt stores formerly supplied by Somerfield as it launches a five-year partnership with Total UK, its second major forecourt deal in the past two months.

Speaking to The Grocer about the move, Richard Bennett, Spar retail director, said the 18 stores, which are owned by Total, could add more than £41m to the symbol group's annual retail sales figures.

The deal follows a separate contract revealed by The Grocer in June to roll out Spar branding and supply to 22 Pace Petroleum and Malthurst forecourt sites, which were formerly Budgens outlets.

"Including this latest deal, we have added 40 forecourts to our estate within two months, giving Spar 485 forecourt sites currently," said Bennett.

The 18 stores have been added to a handful of trial Spar/Total sites running for 18 months, allowing Spar to supply 22 Total forecourts.

Total's vision is to roll out the supply partnership to a further 28 stores next year, which gives a target of 50 sites by the end of 2007.

Bennett said most of the Spar/Total stores were in urban locations and were used for top-up shopping, adding: "These will be neighbourhood value stores that just happen to sell petrol." He said they would be converted accordingly, follow the full range of Spar promotions and replace Somerfield branding with the Spar fascia.

The Total deal covers forecourts stretching from Lancashire to Southampton, including several within the M25. They fall into territory covered by four Spar wholesalers, AF Blakemore, James Hall, Capper & Co and Appleby Westward.

Paul Crane, shop, food and services manager for Total, said trials had focused on ranging, display and local marketing.

He added: "Spar has adopted a very personalised approach to the stores themselves. We are working with them to ensure promotions are spot on for forecourt customers."

Spar has now appointed a dedicated account manager to supervise the Total sites.

Total also revealed that out of its sites in the UK, it aimed to roll out its Bonjour retail brand to 175 more by 2008. It also plans to secure a further 25 smaller Bonjour Rapide outlets in the same timescale.

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