“Mega Image expansion is a very carefully calculated process. We have very clear rules when it comes to openings,” says Adrian Nicolaescu, Mega Image marketing manager.
He does not provide further details, but states there are several stores opened under Mega Image or Shop&Go brands on Ion Mihalache boulevard and each serves different clients. Part of stores are located less than half a km away from one another.
At present, the Belgian group owns 413 stores under several brands, three more than in late 2014. However, most openings will be registered in the second half of this year. The Belgian-held group had a similar strategy in 2014.
“We’re keeping up the expansion pace this year as well, but the focus will be on Shop&Go as there are not very many large spaces left in Bucharest,” says Nicolaescu.
Around 80% of the group’s stores are in Bucharest. Shop&Go stores have smaller areas than Mega Image supermarkets and are opened only in partnership with local entrepreneurs.
The company has recently launched the first store under Gusturi Romanesti brand, a unit dedicated to “made in Romania” products.
“We will not launch many products under this brand. We can hardly find local suppliers,” says Catalina Aldea, private label commercial director at Mega Image.
The store’s sales beat expectations, says Nicolaescu, without providing any figures. As a matter of fact, the company’s officials did not provide any figures about last year’s sales, either, only saying 2014 was a good year.
“We will open another two Gusturi Romanesti stores, one in Piata Amzei and one in Piata Domenii,” says Nicolaescu.
Beside these stores and the classical ones, the company will also open two new concept stores, namely stores of several thousand square meters, with a wider product range. Three such stores have been opened so far, two in Bucharest and one in Constanta. The next two will be in Bucharest.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)