Although the number of store openings was close to record highs, the expansion pace, however, slowed down as compared to 2021, the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic when a total 443 units were inaugurated, according to an analysis by Ziarul Financiar (ZF) based on market data.
Only retailers Metro and Selgros did not expand their cash&carry store chains, while retailers Auchan, Kaufland, Carrefour, Penny and Cora opened more stores in 2022 versus 2021. Instead, Profi, Mega Image and Lidl more or less put a brake on expansion plans.
In 2022, Romania’s rampant annual inflation rate, of about 17% – one of the highest in Europe – strongly impacted consumers’ purchasing power.