ExxonMobil Corp is quitting the retail fuel market in the US, and sticking to wholesale operations. The company said the exit from its direct served - dealer and company operated - business would "include the conversion of a majority of

markets to branded distributor to build on the strength of its current distributor network." The change will take place over a few years. An Esso spokesman in the UK said: "It’s important to note that this is not a market exit.

"The announcement does not signal any specific change in any of the global retail business markets other than the US."