Vietnam’s Petrolimex plans Countrywide Convenience Stores

1 min readUpdated May 24, 2025May 23, 201911:11 PM

In this article (5)

Vietnamese petroleum retailer Petrolimex is planning to build a convenience-store chain.

After five years of research, the group plans to open stores across its network of 5200 gas locations across the country.

“Petrolimex will expand into this sector, each store will host 1500 to 2000 products,” a Petrolimex representative said during a conference.

“Our strategy partner JX Nippon Oil will support us to set up the chain in the most optimal way.”

Petrolimex has tested the industry with its P-Mart in Hanoi’s Hoai Duc district. The store only sells Petrolimex-branded products such as oils and a limited range of snacks and beverages.

There is no official information if Petrolimex will base its chain on this concept or build a different one.

Stepping into the convenience-retailing sector, Petrolimex will compete with experienced players such as Circle K, 7-Eleven, VinMart + and FamilyMart, but none of those brands are affiliated with service stations.

AdvertisementAdvertise with usMobile 320×100

What this means

Petrolimex's strategic pivot into convenience retailing is a high-stakes play using its unparalleled real estate network, directly pressuring urban-focused rivals like VinMart+ and FamilyMart. While its P-Mart test store was limited, the partnership with JX Nippon Oil suggests a more sophisticated rollout, potentially mirroring successful petrol station-based convenience models seen elsewhere in Asia. This move is likely to succeed due to captive customer traffic and scale, though the challenge will be competing on product range and service against seasoned operators. Unlike Dairy Queen's targeted Hong Kong expansions or Skechers' large format stores, this is a country-wide, fundamental business transformation. The key will be the first 50 store openings' product assortment and pricing.

Sarah Chen · Retail News Asia newsroom

Questions & Answers

What kind of products will be sold in the new convenience stores?

Each store is planned to host 1500 to 2000 products. The article does not specify the exact product range beyond what was tested in the P-Mart concept, which included Petrolimex-branded items, snacks, and beverages.

Will Petrolimex's new convenience stores follow the same model as their P-Mart test store?

There is no official information yet on whether Petrolimex will base its countrywide chain on the P-Mart concept. The P-Mart store only sold Petrolimex-branded products, oils, snacks, and beverages.

Who is supporting Petrolimex in setting up this new convenience store chain?

Petrolimex's strategy partner, JX Nippon Oil, will support the company in establishing the new convenience store chain. They aim to help set up the chain in the most optimal way.

How many gas locations does Petrolimex currently have across Vietnam?

Petrolimex has a network of 5200 gas locations throughout the country. The new convenience stores are planned to open across this existing network.

Reader pulse

Is Petrolimex's convenience store expansion a smart move?

16,778 votes so far