400 new stores to be opened in Romania this year

by   CIJ News iDesk V
2021-01-19   14:56
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Modern retail players are preparing to open about 400 new stores in 2021 and invest about €700-800 million in expansion, modernisation and logistics. Thus, Romania will approach the threshold of 4,000 hypermarkets, supermarkets, discount stores, modern proximity and cash & carry.

"The investment budget for this year is higher than in 2020, approaching the threshold of €100 million," says Daniel Gross, CEO of the German discounter Penny - REWE Romania. In 2021 Penny will reach the threshold of 300 stores in Romania, which means 24-25 new units, in addition to the construction of a new warehouse.

Accelerated development during the pandemic is not a surprise as seven of the ten local modern retail trade networks opened new stores in 2020, a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 421 new units were opened, the second best year for expansion after 2019. While other areas were blocked or idling, modern retailers continued its investment and development. The largest allocated budgets last year came from Kaufland ( €300 million) and Lidl (over €200 million).