The Select brand is a corporate convenience store banner operated by Sobeys Québec and associated exclusively with Shell. In 2011, Shell announced the sale of its Select service station network to Sobeys for an undisclosed amount (Source: La Presse), following the closure of its Montreal refinery. The transaction included a portfolio of 250 gas stations including Select (corporate) and other Shell (franchised).

Since then, there has been no visible synergy or convergence of the Select network with Sobeys‘. It still relies heavily on the strength, notoriety and attractiveness of the Shell brand, with little emphasis put on Select (ditto for Petro-Canada and its Super Relais convenience store brand… a name just for the sake of it). Moreover, the consumer must go through the Shell website – not the Sobeys site – to find gas stations locations and get more information.

Type of Franchise

Like most Couche-Tard or Dépanneur du Coin stores, Select service stations are partly operated in the corporate mode and partly franchised by Sobeys Québec. The latter, however, owns most of the buildings, land and equipment (source: Les Affaires).

Banner Profile

Name:	Select
Ranking (banners):	14th of 63
Number of stores:	95
Description:	Network of Shell gas stations
Franchisor:	Sobeys Québec
Business Model:	Type A) Company-operated store / employee-operated Type C) Store franchisee
Foundation date:	Années 1980
Website:	Shell Canada