Fueland Stores Debut in Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, Pa.--Two former Pennsylvania Cogo's stores, which sold gasoline under the BP brand, will be the first of the newly created Fueland food store chain, reported PittsburghLive.com.

The stores are expected to be remodeled and opened by the first week of April and will offer Citgo gasoline at discount prices through a grocery loyalty points program at Foodland stores, according to the report.

"We're creating a convenience store company that can offer gasoline to loyalty customers of independent grocery retailers," said Milo Ritton, owner of Pittsburgh-based Superior Petroleum Co.

Ritton acquired the two Cogo's stores, along with a number of other convenience stores selling gasoline, including Buy'n Fly and Glassmart, with his recent purchase of Mon Valley Petroleum Inc.

The Foodland stores in Ford City, Pa. and West Kittanning, Pa. will award accumulated discounts off gasoline to customers who buy selected products in their stores, Ritton explained in the report. Gasoline discounts will also be added from some purchases made in the Fueland stores, he said. The discounts can then be redeemed for gasoline at Fueland gas station locations.

"Foodland won't have to be in the gasoline business," Ritton said in the report. "They'll be able to pass along savings to their customers in gas perks."

Ritton hopes to add more Fueland stores in other markets where there are Foodland stores, reported PittsburghLive.com.

The initial test of the program will begin with the opening of the Fueland stores in West Kittanning and Ford City, Pa. If those stores are successful, Ritton told PittsburghLive.com, all of his other stores will be converted to Fueland stores by the end of the year.