Canadian retailer, Alimentation Couche-Tard, acquires Irish fuels marketer, Topaz Energy Group 

Alimentation Couche-Tard, the Canadian retailer is continuing its strong global growth trajectory with the acquisition of the Irish fuels marketer Topaz Energy Group. The deal, which is expected to complete in Spring 2016, follows the company's purchase of Shell's Danish marketing businesses earlier in 2015 and represents the first European expansion beyond its current footprint in Scandinavia and the Baltic States. Topaz is Ireland largest fuel marketer having grown initially through the acquisition of the Shell and Statoil downstream businesses and most recently its purchase of Esso's marketing business in the country. As a pure play marketer with a strong convenience retailing pedigree, Alimentation Couche-Tard is signalling that it sees Europe as a key area for further expansion.