Bashas' to Open First Store With Fuel

WENDY TOTH

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Bashas' Markets here will open its first store with a gas station on Saturday.

Located in Gilbert, Ariz., the store is a remodeled Albertsons unit, which closed last year. The fuel center was part of the existing location when it was acquired by Bashas', said spokeswoman Kristy Nied.

Ten fuel pumps will be branded with the Bashas' name and will be open 24 hours a day for customers using credit and debit, she said. The site will be staffed 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for cash purchases.

“Assuming that there was some success with that gas station there is no reason not to continue to run it,” said Neil Stern, a partner with McMillan-Doolittle, a Chicago-based retail consulting firm. “It gives them an opportunity to learn and to understand what it does or doesn't do for the business.”

On the topic of expanding its fuel offering to other stores, Nied said, “We are always looking for ways to better serve Arizona residents and visitors. Operating a fuel center is one of those ways we can offer convenience to our customers.”

The fuel will be supplied by an independent fuel distributor, which Nied declined to name.