Lidl postpones entry on the market

The network of Lidl discount stores, a part of the German group Schwartz, postponed indefinitely its plan to enter the markets of Romania and Bulgaria, stated sources from the retail market. The land price, which was considered to be too high, was one of the reasons behind the decision. Lidl”s communication director Thomas Oberle confirmed the information for the Bulgarian agency Dnevnik. The German company had researched the Bulgarian market for 18 months until the feasibility studies convinced the company officials to rethink their strategy and put off the project indefinitely. As for its plans in Romania, Lidl announced at the beginning of this year that it was preparing to launch on the market, setting up regional centres in Bucharest, Brasov and Iasi. Representatives of the network of stores in Romania did not wish to make any comment on the company”s plans. The Kaufland hypermarket chain, on the other hand, also a member of the Schwartz group, did not have this type of problems in the two EU candidate countries. Kaufland opened its first store in Romania last year, and in March 2006 it entered the Bulgarian market, as well. ZF