LAVAL, QC, March 2, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Following events that occurred over the last few hours, Couche-Tard has decided to voluntarily pull the alcoholic beverage "FCKD UP" from its shelves. A directive was issued to all stores to immediately pull the products.

Although sale of the beverage is 100% legal, acting responsibly is a daily practice at Couche-Tard and this is why the decision was made today.

At Couche-Tard, we are stringent in the sale of all regulated products, whether they consist of alcohol, tobacco or lottery products. We make sure at all times that the buyer is of the legal age to purchase such products. Our policies in this respect are very strict.

About Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

Couche-Tard is the leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the United States,  it is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of the number of company-operated stores. In Europe, Couche-Tard is a leader in convenience store and road transportation fuel retail in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), and in Ireland, in addition to having a major presence in Poland.

At April 24, 2016, Couche-Tard's network comprised 7,888 convenience stores across North America, including 6,490 stores selling road transportation fuel. Its North American network consists of 15 business units, including 11 in the United States covering 41 states and 4 in Canada covering all 10 provinces. Approximately 80,000 people are employed throughout its network and at its service offices in North America.

In Europe, Couche-Tard operates an extensive retail network in Scandinavia (Norway, Sweden and Denmark), Ireland, Poland, the Baltics (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) and Russia. At April 24, 2016, Couche-Tard comprised 2,659 stores, most of which provide road transportation fuel and convenience products, while the others are unmanned automated fuel stations. Couche‑Tard also sells other products, including stationary energy, marine fuel, aviation fuel, lubricants and chemicals. Including employees at branded franchise stores, approximately 25,000 people work in its retail network, terminals and service offices across Europe.

In addition, under licensing agreements, more than 1,500 stores are operated under the Circle K banner in 13 other countries and territories (China, Costa Rica, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Guam, Honduras, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines and Vietnam), which brings the worldwide total network to more than 12,000 stores.

SOURCE Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.

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