Forecourt retailer Applegreen said it is seeing a positive start to the 2018 financial year with trading results continuing to improve on the previous year.
In a trading update ahead of its AGM today, Applegreen said, however, that the severe weather in March affected business across all its markets but especially in Ireland.
Recent international fuel price increases have adversely impacted on its fuel margins, it added.
Applegreen said it has continued to invest in its portfolio with a total of 24 sites being added since December 2017.
Seven new sites were added in the Republic of Ireland, 14 new sites in the UK and three new sites in the US.
It also said it has agreed a deal to lease a network of 43 petrol filling station sites from CrossAmerica Partners (CAP) in Florida.
"We are delighted to build on our existing relationship with CAP given our continued focus on expanding our operations in the US market," commented Applegreen's chairman Daniel Kitchen.
"We believe this transaction provides us with the ability to leverage our operational expertise and enhance the retail offering at these locations. It also further increases our footprint in the south east following our successful acquisition of the Brandi Group in South Carolina last October," Mr Kitchen added.
