French retail group Les Mousquetaires is planning to boost its presence in Portugal by opening eight to ten Intermarché hypermarkets in 2016.
In an interview for Diario Economico, the CEO of Intermarché, Vasco Simões, revealed that the retailer expects around 60 stores to be opened in Portugal by 2020.
Last year, Intermarché completed the purchase of nine stores from rival Alisuper, six of which are already in operation under the French retailer's banner. The remaining locations will be opened over the course of 2016.
Simões added that the company is "always attentive to new market opportunities that may arise", and would be open to the acquisition of more Alisuper units if they became available.
Intermarché is also seeking to expand the presence of Portuguese products in its international network of over 3,500 stores.
After a positive experience with selling ambient Portuguese products abroad, the retailer is now aiming for success with the export of fresh produce, including cod, custard tarts and pears, to its international stores.
This year, Intermarché is celebrating 25 years in Portugal, where it has 241 stores.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
