The 2016 budget of the retailer that posted EUR2 billion sales in 2015 is the same as in the past few years, EUR80 million to EUR100 million allocated to store openings alone, according to ZF data, and the any additional amount used for renovation and remodeling. A Kaufland store requires EUR7 million to EUR9 million investment, including the land.
The retailer will continue expansion in Romania by at least six stores in 2016. Expansion also means increasing the number of employees. Kaufland plans to hire 1,000 people for a total of 17,000 by the end of 2016. It had 16,000 at the end of last year, which made it one of the biggest private sector employers.
Marco Hossl, chief executive officer of Kaufland Romania, has recently said during his first interview with the local media, that there is still room for expansion in this country, so if the economy continues to develop at the same pace as in the last few years, if the minimum wage continues to rise and if the retailer finds suitable land, it will continue development.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)