Metro head: Small store concept is working, there will be no large units for the time being

Autor: Laurentiu Cotu 07.04.2011

Metro Cash&Carry, the biggest player in Romanian trade, with over 5,700 employees and 1.1bn-euro turnover, this year counts on adding Metro Punct stores to its network, after in 2010 the company opened the first such stores in Satu Mare, Piatra Neamţ, Buzău and Târgovişte.

"The Metro Punct concept worked in Satu Mare, we will open more such stores this year. Referring to classic Metro stores (the ones with large sales areas), we're currently analysing the market, but I do not believe we will open such stores during this period," said Duşan Wilms, Metro Cash&Carry Romania head.

Metro Punct is a concept that was launched on the market by Duşan Wilms himself and entails the opening of stores with smaller sales areas (1,500-3,000 square metres) than classic ones and with around 3,000 food and non-food products.

Wilms did not specify how many Metro Punct stores might be opened this year, saying that "in line with our development strategy I cannot disclose the number of stores or future locations".