Rewe’s business in Romania in 2008 close to €1.5 bln

Rewe retains second place among trade groups active in Romania, after Metro, which is expected to exceed €2 billion in turnover in 2008.
Third place belongs to the French Carrefour group, whose turnover reported last year amounted to €1.19 billion. Of the networks operated by Rewe in Romania, the largest increase in sales was registered by its Penny Market discount stores, with the advance in net sales at 40 percent, to RON 1.15 billion (€312 mln). The growth is due to the expansion of the network by a further 22 stores, new market trends, a reorientation of consumers to this type of store with low-cost products, due to the current economic situation. The chain currently includes 74 commercial centers, of which 68 Penny Market and 6 Penny Market XXL.

The Billa supermarket network posted €320 million in turnover last year, up 10 percent (in lei) compared to 2007. The percentage in business growth is identical with that of the number of clients. „Last year, Billa’s clients crossed store thresholds 27 million times,“ said a network official. Billa is the Romanian supermarket leader, with 34 stores countrywide. Its employees rose last year by over 400, to some 2,800.