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The Russian discount chain MERE is set to expand into Hungary. According to haszon.hu, the chain plans to open 200 stores within three years, with an expected revenue of EUR 700M.
MERE, known as Svetofor in Russia, belongs to the hard-discount category, offering products at prices similar to Aldi and Lidl supermarkets. The product range will consist of around 1,500 items, including groceries, chemicals, beverages, and household industrial goods. It is likely that the Russian discount chain will primarily offer private label products. According to available information,
the stores will target families with average to below-average incomes, who shop one to two times per week in a planned manner.
Inside a MERE supermarket. Photo: mere.ws
The chain has a presence in several European countries outside of Russia, including Serbia, the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania, as well as stores in Belgium (currently called MyPrice). Their expansion in Western Europe has been stalled by the Russian-Ukrainian war, thus they are focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, where the retail scene is more fragmented, and supply chains are less constrained.
Despite the sanctions, MERE is performing well domestically: according to press reports, last year its turnover increased by 40 percent to EUR 5B.
Via haszon.hu; Featured Image: mere.ws