This is the second store under this brand the retailer has opened in the last two months after the inauguration in Focsani in October.
Carrefour stepped up expansion of this brand in 2017, opening four such stores and doubling the network. Supeco is only present in small and medium-sized cities in Romania – Ramnicu Valcea, Targoviste, Slatina, Giurgiu, Galati, Craiova, Focsani and now Bals.
The brand arrived in Romania in the fall of 2014, when the first store opened in Ramnicu Valcea. Three more followed – Targoviste, Giurgiu and Slatina.
Carrefour Romania officials did not reveal too much about the brand, previously saying it was operated by a separate company with a separate management. Carrefour’s other companies in the country are Carrefour Romania (hypermarkets, online and convenience stores) and Artima and Columbus Investment (supermarkets).
Supeco concept is a cash&carry and discount store hybrid and its operator, Supeco Investment is held by Carrefour Romania – 90% and Artima – 10%.
Prior to launching in Romania, the Supeco format was introduced in Spain. Being a cash&carry and discount store hybrid it competes with both Lidl and Penny Market and with the small format stores of Metro and Selgros. Its fast-paced expansion comes at a time when discount stores are gaining ground because of their focus on low prices.
Supeco Investment posted 66 million lei (EUR14 million) revenue and RON3.4 million loss in 2016 and had 100 employees, according to the Finance Ministry website. Revenue was up 35% on 2015. (EUR1=RON4.6495)
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)