According to ZF estimates, the time before the Easter (April 16 this year) contributes about 5% of the yearly sales of modern grocery retailers. In the two weeks of April, sales of modern retailers reach EUR500 million to EUR550 million, ZF has estimated based on market data. In comparison, December generates 10% to 15%, depending on store format. Annual sales of modern retail, which includes supermarkets, hypermarkets, cash & carry, discount and convenience stores, amount to EUR10 billion to EUR11 billion, according to the latest data available.
There are about 2,000 modern retail stores and the international chains on the market open 250 to 300 new stores every year. Most of them are supermarket and convenience stores, which require less investment and are easier to find space for.
Four of the ten retailers have already announced openings in April – Lidl (discount store), Profi (supermarket), Kaufland (hypermarket) and Mega Image (supermarket). Expansion champion is Lidl, which announced four new openings in Focsani on April 6 and in Calarasi, Piatra Neamt and Pitesti on April 13. Lidl usually opens ten stores in one year, so its rush to open before Easter is obvious.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)