Kum & Go decides to close fuel-free stores
The retailer will shut down most of its walk-up locations as this concept will no longer fit in its expansion strategy for the long-term.
Kum & Go has decided to close most of its walk-up urban convenience stores two years after opening its first location in downtown Des Moines, Iowa. The company will end operations in four of five of these fuel-free locations, with only the original remaining in operation.
According to a report by local news site Convenience Store News, two of these sites located in Denver have been closed last Monday and the remaining stores in Ames, Iowa; and Omaha, Nebraska; will close by December 19.
"We've learned a lot from operating these fuel-less concepts. However, they no longer fit into our long-term plans for expansion. We will focus on our traditional stores in the area that can accommodate all of our fresh food offerings, as well as a selection of fuels," said company representative Taylor Boland, according to the report.
The 3,000-square-foot store in Des Moines was opened back in May 2020 and features freshly prepared foods, a large assortment of beverages, healthy snacks, as well as health products, phone accessories, and craft beers and wines. In less than two months, the retailer announced the expansion of the store concept with new locations in sight.
Despite closing these stores, Kum & Go will continue to expand into Michigan with a set of Detroit area stores to open in 2024 and future plans for over 50+ total stores in the market over several years.
