One of Russia's largest chains of hard-discount stores enters Romanian market

Svetofor, one of the largest chains of hard-discount stores in Russia, will open this Friday, October 26, its first store in Romania, in Snagov. The new supermarket will operate under the Mere brand. The company also eyes a fast local expansion, targeting the opening of five units nationwide by the end of the year, Daniel Vasile, director of food purchases, told local Economica.net. The next store is to be opened in the mountain resort of Brasov, with others to be opened later in Piatra Neamt, Suceava and Tecuci. The retailer hopes to reach a network of 50 stores in Romania in 4-5 years. The Mere concept involves stores of between 800 and 1,200 sqm in leased spaces located on the outskirts of small and medium-sized cities where the population has a low financial potential. This is why the retailer promises prices 20% lower than those on the market. At the opening, the store in Snagov will have 700-750 products on its shelves, mostly food. Svetofor runs more than 800 discount stores in Russia and is also present on the markets of Kazakhstan, Belarus and China. In Romania, its main competitors are Lidl and Penny Market. Irina Marica, irina.marica@romania-insider.com (photo source: Pixabay.com)