Portuguese retail group Jerónimo Martins plans to open around 100 to 150 Biedronka supermarkets, each year, in Poland in the coming years.
The target was announced by Jerónimo Martins CEO Pedro Soares dos Santos in an interview with Business Insider Polska.
Sunday Trading Regulations
The move will enable the company to strengthen its presence in the country, despite the nationwide ban on Sunday trading that was introduced in November 2017.
According to Soares dos Santos, the decision has affected both consumers and retailers.
However, he pointed out that Biedronka has managed the situation effectively to recover around 70% of the sales lost due to Sunday closures.
The retailer also aims to add more fresh products and ready-made meals to Biedronka supermarkets.
According toJerónimo Martins, fresh products account for 40% of sales, and the company aims to achieve 70% of sales from this category.
Organic Growth
When asked whether the acquisition of five 'Piotr i Paweł' stores in September 2018 could eventually lead to a takeover, Soares do Santos replied that the company is focusing on organic growth.
Piotr i Paweł was forced to dispose of the assets due to financial difficulties.
Following the purchase of the five stores, Jerónimo Martins now operates 2,850 stores under the Biedronka banner in Poland.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
