Retailer Auchan could launch new hypermarket format for small towns in Romania

Retailer Auchan could launch on the Romanian market a compact hypermarket format, for small towns, a concept currently expanding in Russia under the brand Nasha Raduga, and which was successful in China. “We expect Auchan to continue to strengthen its leading position on the market in Russia. As it was in the case of Auchan City concept, Auchan might introduce Nasha Raduga stores to other markets in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Romania,” according to research firm IGD Retail Analysis, reports local Mediafax. In the new stores, Auchan is to sell a limited range of products, mainly under its own brand, and at smaller prices. Auchan has a network of 31 hypermarkets in Romania and total sales of more than EUR 1 billion per year. Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com