BP to offload American stores

Oil major BP is to offload all of its wholly-owned American forecourts and supermarkets in a move that will affect nearly 10,000 US staff.

The group said it will sell the bulk of its chain of more than 700 convenience stores to franchisees as part of new boss Tony Hayward’s restructuring plans aimed at shoring up profits and production.

The changes will impact BP’s 9,500 convenience store staff, 350 business support employees and 100 pipelines and logistics workers.