Kaufland posted RON10.1 billion sales in 2017, 4% higher than in 2016. It doubled the growth pace in the first half of 2018, according to publicly available data.
The growth was largely fueled by the spending appetite of Romanian consumers, from their shift to more expensive products to be precise. The improvement in purchasing power over the last few years is making consumers prefer organic, fresh and even niche lactose or gluten-free products. Kaufland upgraded 10% of the products carried, by replacing existing ones with more expensive versions.
The German-held retailer is the leader of the local grocery retail market, and has 120 stores, 4 of which opened this year. (EUR1=RON4.6590)
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)