Dan Muntean, Halewood: Big chains will reach 70-80% of the market

Dan Muntean, general manager of wine producer Halewood, or “Mr. five per cent”, as he calls himself in reference to his percentage in the company, believes wine sales via big retail chains will amount to 70-80% from around 30% at present, and that these channels will have more of a say in setting the price.
“I think over the next two or three years chains will have to be much more quality-minded than they are now. Without meaning to be critical, I can say that up to a certain level we have to deal with unfair competition (from producers such as those of still fermented beverages), which is tacitly accepted by the big chains. This view will change before long. Things would be different if consumers lodged complaints. I am very optimistic that this force that entered Romanian wine trade will have a positive influence in the medium and long term,” Muntean told Ziarul Financiar in an interview. He added that there have to be products costing 4-5 RON on the market, but they have to “follow the rules”.