Ard Services Limited (Circle K)/Certain companies from the Griffin Retail Group

• Notification date:19 September 2021
• Publication date:19 September 2021
• Economic sector:Wholesale & retail trade - G
• Economic sub-sector:Retail trade - G.47
• Outcome:Cleared

Ard Services Limited

Ard Services Limited is a subsidiary of Circle K Ireland Holding Limited. Ard Services Limited operates Circle K’s Company Owned Company Operated (“COCO”) stores in Ireland and belongs to the group of companies comprising Alimentation Couche-Tard (“ACT”). ACT entered the Irish market in 2016 with the purchase of Topaz Energy Group Limited. All ACT Irish stores are forecourt convenience stores and are branded Circle K.

Griffin Retail Group

The Griffin Retail Group ("Griffin Group") are active in the convenience retailing of grocery goods as part of a symbol group of retail stores. Griffin Group operate Londis stores in the State (including an Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store). The stores also operate some franchises including Subway, Chopped, Insomnia and ‘Boomerang Donuts’. Nine of the convenience stores operated by the Griffin Group and the Insomnia coffee outlet adjoining the Sandyford Londis store, are being sold as part of the proposed transaction.