Oil giant looks to establish niche self-service stations around city malls

They would be opened in locations with large traffic volumes, in the proximity of malls and in other locations where traditional gas stations cannot be opened. For new investments in gas stations and refurbishment of existing ones, Orlen will set aside zł.480 million in 2005. Over the coming years the firm is planning to increase its share in the domestic market to a minimum of 30% and boost average sales on gas stations to roughly 2.5 million liters annually. Orlen is now also negotiating the purchase of more gas stations on the German market under the Q1 brand, which is owned by Beckmann Mineraloelhandel. Currently PKN owns 485 gas stations in Germany operating under the Orlen Deutschland brand, which posted zł.52 million loss in 2004 mainly due to low margins on sold fuels. (Parkiet, p. 5) M.M.