Billa, the biggest supermarket chain on the Romanian market,with 46 operating stores, plans to make 20 inaugurations this yearand does not rule out store acquisitions. Last year the retaileropened nine stores.
The company will invest over 20 million euros and create around1,000 jobs in towns such as Carei and Resita through theseprojects, according to ZF estimates.
This is the biggest expansion budget for 2010 for the supermarketsegment, put at several billion euros, which has been on a downwardtrend in the past year because of dwindling consumption, accordingto market data.
"Our target is to open at least 20 new Billa stores in 2010, withBucharest being a major target of interest for us and we are intalks for potential locations at present," said members of thecompany. Billa's biggest rivals are Mega Image, Carrefour Express,and Interex.
The company recorded 324 million euros in sales in 2008, accordingto the latest reports, and is held by German group Rewe, thesecond-largest player in the trade sector, with around 1.5 billioneuros in sales on the Romanian market. The group also includesSelgros and Penny Market.
Pentru alte știri, analize, articole și informații din business în timp real urmărește Ziarul Financiar pe WhatsApp Channels
