This will be the retailer’s second storehouse. The first one is located in Popesti Leordeni (Ilfov county) near Bucharest.
Muller said one of the main challenges on the local market is the rapid expansion of rival food retailers and the capacity to expand outside Bucharest where the purchasing power is much lower.
Mega Image will also focus on speeding up the development of its own brands and improving its services.
Muller also said the Romanian economy had a good evolution in 2013 and Mega Image managed to boost its profitability.
In 2012, the retailer’s profit more than tripled to RON46.7 million (EUR10.5 million) and its sales increased 44%, to RON1.75 billion (EUR394 million), according to Finance Ministry data.
Delhaize’s revenues in Romania rose over 35% in the second quarter of 2013 and increased by nearly 30% in the third quarter.
Mega Image was the most dynamic retail network in Romania and at the level of Delhaize group, in terms of store openings both in 2013 and in 2012, when it expanded its local network by 104 and 88 new units, respectively.
Founded in 1995, Mega Image has become the largest supermarket chain in Romania with stores in Bucharest, Constanta, Ploiesti, Pitesti, Brasov, Targoviste and other cities, which operate under the brands Mega Image (170), Shop&Go (131), and AB Cool Food (1).