ROMANIA: Modern retail openings in February | Progresiv
February marked a much faster pace of expansion for the international retail chains, 12 new commercial units being opened. Thus, compared to February last year, the large retail chains have opened seven more stores. The first position among the most expansive retailers is occupied by Profi, who opened eight new stores, two thirds of February’s openings. Carrefour, Mega Image 1 Minute and Lidl are next, each with a new location opened. 
Of the eight units inaugurated by Profi, three are in Standard format, respectively City, while the Loco format, dedicated to the rural area, has increased its portfolio with only two units. With these openings, Profi reaches a chain of 379 business units operated in 179 cities.
French retailer Carrefour opened in February one unit, under the Market banner, in Bucharest. This is the 19th supermarket the retailer operated in the Capital and the 107th nationwide.
Belgian retailer Mega Image opened a new unit in Ilfov county, this being the first opening of 2016. With this, the supermarket retailer chain reached 217 stores.
German retailer Lidl, part of Schwarz group, has marked a new opening, reaching 193 operating stores nationwide. This year Lidl announced plans to open 10 units, the expansion rate being higher compared to 2015 when only eight stores were opened.
Lagardère Travel Retail opened its ninth 1 Minute store in the Capital, the unit being located inside the Bucharest Green Gate business center. Overall, Lagardère Travel Retail operates 12 1 Minute stores nationwide.
For more detailed analysis on the expansion of international retailers locally you can access Ika Romania interactive application: www.ika.magazinulprogresiv.ro.
