French international retail group Auchan has denied various media reports that they are planning an entry into the Belarussian market next year.
Last week, Kantar Retail issued a brief stating that management figures in Auchan are currently looking at a shopping centre called "Dana Mall", which is still in its construction phase, as well as other shopping areas in Belarus ranging from 5,000 to 7,000 square meters as potential investment opportunities.
Russian trade website retailstdio.org, were the first on report on Auchan's "Dana Mall" venture, which is part of the "Minsk Lighthouse" complex.
The website quoted Gary Berrous, Deputy Director of Minsk Lighthouse's developer Zomex Investment, as noting that Auchan are not present in the Minsk region.
Speaking to just-food.com, an Auchan spokesperson said that Belarus was a country the company "was looking at 'like many others' but added "no project has been finalised yet".
The opening of the "Dana Mall" is scheduled for April 2015.
© 2014 - European Supermarket Magazine by Enda Dowling
