The company’s turnover amounted to RON 1.05 billion (€300.4 mln) in 2006, 70 percent higher year-on-year. Romania Hypermarche closed 2005 with RON 640 million (€177 million), up by 56 percent, and net profits amounting RON 8.7 million (€2.15 million). The first local Cora hypermarket opened in 2003, in Bucharest’s Pantelimon neighborhood, following a €50 mln investment. It has a 16,000 square meters sales area. The second hypermaket became operational in September last year, in the eastern Lujerului area, following an investment worth €40 million. A further €20 mln were invested in a store in the northern city of Cluj.
On the long term, Romania Hypermarche plans to invest some €500 mln in further 14 stores. Thus, Cora targets expansion within city limits and opening a third store in Bucharest in 2008.
Cora is part of French-Belgian group Louis Delhaize’s portfolio. Discount shops Profi also represent the group. Worldwide, Louis Delhaize owns the Match and Smatch supermarket networks, Truffaut gardening stores, Animalis pet shops, and Houra.fr cyber markets.
Cora’s main competitors on the domestic market are Carrefour Romania (eight stores), Real Hypermarket (nine stores), and Auchan (one store, opened last year).
