In the third quarter, net sales in Romania and Indonesia increased 27 percent, to €53.8 million, with the rise due to the integration of the La Fourmi supermarket network in Romania. However, the inclusion of the La Fourmi chain in Delhaize’s calculations did impact negatively on the company’s profit, in the amount of €400,000.
The value of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) in Romania was €41 billion in 2007, and is expected to reach €43 billion and 48 billion in 2008 and 2009, respectively, according to data provided by the MEMRB market research company. Major retailers in Romania are Metro Grup, Carrefour, Cora, Auchan and Selgros. Main supermarket competitors are Mega Image, Billa, Ethos, G’Market and Primavara.
The Delhaize group came to Romania through the Mega Image supermarket chain. In March 2008, the Belgian company acquired the La Fourmi network for €18.6 million.
At the end of the year, Delhaize will have 40 stores in Romania, compared to 22 at the end of last year, of which 14 La Fourmi stores. Last week, the group turned the first La Fourmi store into a Mega Image supermarket, in an investment worth €260,000, and will do the same with the remaining La Fourmi stores by the end of February 2009, according to company data.
