A RUSSIAN low-cost supermarket chain is set to land in Spain this year and is expected to have a mainstream high-street presence nationwide by the year 2025.
Owned by the Svetofor Group, Mere supermarkets are based upon the format of Aldi and Lidl as they were when they first arrived in the country, and prices are said to be between 10% and 20% cheaper than in Spain's existing network of stores.
Managing director of Mere Spain, Andrey Murzov, describes the chain as 'spartan' and 'no-frills', with no shelves, display units or even staff.
“Everything is stocked on pallets or in boxes, in order to reduce overheads as much as possible and be able to offer very cheap products,” Murzov explains.
“This model of store is similar to what Lidl and Aldi used to use years ago.
“Our aim is to offer the best prices every day, thanks to a business concept that involves saving costs – rent, decoration, and personnel.”
The first branches will open in May this year, between 10 and 15 are planned by the end of 2021, and around 100 are expected to be trading in the country by the year 2025.
Regions targeted for Mere's expansion are likely to be Madrid, Murcia, the Comunidad Valenciana, Catalunya, and Andalucía.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com