Plus stores step into the black in the fourth year in business

Plus discount store network, owned by Germany's Tengelmann group, in 2008 generated profit for the first time since it entered the Romanian market, in 2005, according to the group's financial report. The retailer last year generated gross sales worth 227m-euros with 71 operating stores, 18 more than in late 2007. By comparison, for 2007 the company reported turnover worth 644m RON (193m euros) to the Finance ministry. "The higher awareness of Plus brand on the Romanian market allowed the domestic network to register a 9% sales advance per store during 2008, above expectations," Tengelmann's report also reads. The company's plans for Romania include the opening of around 23 stores this year through 36m-euro total investments, with cities of above 15,000 inhabitants being targeted.