BP backs out of Woolworths petrol deal

Woolworths says the sale of its 527 petrol stations and convenience stores and 16 development sites to BP for $1.8 billion will no longer go ahead.

BP petrol station signage

Woolworths' sale of its petrol stations and convenience stores to BP will not proceed. (AAP)

BP Australia has backed out of a deal with Woolworths to buy its petrol business more than six months after the consumer watchdog rejected the deal.

The supermarket giant struck a deal in December, 2016, to sell its 527 petrol stations and convenience stores and 16 development sites to BP for $1.8 billion.

But the consumer watchdog rejected the deal late last year, arguing BP's acquisition would substantially lessen competition in fuel prices.

Woolworths previously announced it was considering challenging the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's rejection, but on Thursday said the sale agreements with BP would no longer be continued.

"Woolworths Group Limited today announces that it has been notified by BP Australia that BP will not continue with the proposed purchase of the petrol business as announced on 28 December 2016," the company said in a statement.

The supermarket giant said it will continue "to actively engage with alternative options for its petrol business".


Share
1 min read

Published

Source: AAP

Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world
BP backs out of Woolworths petrol deal | SBS News