Depanneurs Are Important During Emergencies

The floodings that are currently taking place in Houston and Texas following Hurricane Harvey again illustrate the important role that depanneurs play during a crisis to help the affected populations.

For example, during the days leading up to the hurricane, convenience stores were assaulted by residents to obtain basic necessities.

To hold several days without water, food and electricity, the most wanted items are:

  • bottled water;
  • food (canned food, bread and peanut butter in particular);
  • batteries and flashlights;
  • gasoline for vehicles and generators;
  • baby diapers;
  • first aid kit;
  • charcoal;
  • candles.

Distributors increased their efforts to meet demand, but while many grocery stores and supermarkets began to run out of supplies, the convenience stores were able to take over.

Obviously in such cases, raising prices is out of question! When it comes fulfilling demand caused by a natural crisis, raising prices would be seen as taking advantage of people’s misery. As we saw during the Saguenay floods here in Quebec, the businesses that have done so have been denounced by the media and the public, lost their reputation for good and bitterly regretted it afterwards.

Impact for Couche-Tard

The Houston disaster comes less than two months after Couche-Tard’s acquisition of CST Brands, which has about 400 Corner Store stores in Texas, according to our estimates. Couche-Tard also operates Circle K stores and former Kangaroo Express converts to Circle K, which are the result of the 2015 acquisition of Pantry. As for the Corner Store depanneurs, there are quite a few in Houston, as can be seen on the following map.

As shown on this map, Couche-Tard has more than 100 Corner Store stores in Houston itself, an area severely affected by floodings.

Curiously, while the crisis is in full swing, these banners carry no message, thought, advice or encouragement to employees, disaster victims and communities on their Facebook page, Twitter account or corporate sites. How can this be?

In conclusion, we leave you on this video of the independent Hi Ho Convenience Store at 3957 Baldwin Boulevard in Corpus Christi, taken just before the hurricane arrived … you will learn what is the most demanded item before storm!

 

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