LOTOS Paliwa greeted the New Year at 401 service stations, located throughout Poland. In 2012, the LOTOS retail network was developing both in the premium and economy segments. However, it was the expansion of the LOTOS Optima network that remained a priority.

At the end of 2012, the LOTOS Optima network comprised 101 sites, which meant that the number of LOTOS Paliwa’s economy stations doubled relative to 2011.

The one hundredth LOTOS Optima station was opened in Białogard, in the Province of Szczecin. The site is located at the route linking the city with national road No. 6. The LOTOS Optima COCO station sells diesel oil, 95 and 98 unleaded gasoline, as well as segment-specific range of non-fuel products and services.

Nearly two years ago, after LOTOS Paliwa had announced its plan to launch the first 50 LOTOS Optima-branded economy stations by the end of 2011, sceptical voices were heard that the network’s rapid development was rather unlikely. However, the company delivered on its promise, while breaking the Polish record in terms of the number of new additions to a service station network in a single year. In 2012, that record was repeated. LOTOS Optima stations, offering prime quality fuel at optimum prices, were enthusiastically received by customers, while the attractive cooperation terms have kept on drawing new franchisees.

- The year 2012 confirmed the assumption that the development of economy service stations has been the right decision - says Paweł Lisowski, CEO of LOTOS Paliwa.

Despite falling fuel consumption in Poland throughout 2012, LOTOS has been expanding its foothold on the retail market, having reached an over 8% share in total sales, and is well on track to meeting its development target to increase the market share to 10% by 2015.

- Our success is not only the growing number of service stations, but also the quality of our product and service offering and professional customer service. Those three key parameters were at the top of our agenda in 2012 and will remain a priority in 2013. Because there is always room for improvement. The market is changing rapidly, and our objectives include sustainable growth, continuous business enhancement and meeting the expectations of our customers - concludes Mr Lisowski.

LOTOS Paliwa is responsible for the development and management of the country-wide LOTOS retail network. The network comprises 401 stations, located conveniently in urban areas and near thoroughfares. The latter, thanks to spacious parking lots, can serve as great resting places for travellers.
The company also carries out projects related to development of service stations at motorways and expressways (as part of so-called Motorway Service Areas), while developing an economy retail network branded as LOTOS Optima. LOTOS Paliwa has in place a quality management system certified by PCBC S.A. with respect to wholesale and supply to service stations of gasolines and diesel oils for motor vehicles, as well as wholesale of light fuel oils.

Communication Office, Grupa LOTOS S.A., ul. Elbląska 135, 80-718 Gdańsk, Poland, tel. (+48) 58 308 87 31, (+48) 58 308 83 88, e-mail: media@grupalotos.pl