Mega Image embarks on expansion

The Mega Image supermarkets will reach the province this year, after 12 stores have been opened over the past seven years in Bucharest only.
“This move is part of the more aggressive policy enforced this year by Mega Image. Expansion across the country will begin in Ploiesti and Constanta, where we will open stores spreading on 1,500 sq. metres each,” Adelina Badea, the company’s marketing representative said.
Mega Image last week opened its twelfth store, located in Iancului area. “This store entailed an investment of half a million dollars and is the second supermarket we have opened this year,” company officials said. According to the management, expansion will continue next year, when at least another four stores will be opened both in Bucharest and in the country.
Mega Image was established by Greek investors in 1994, with retail in specialised stores (supermarkets) as its core activity. The first store was opened in 1995. By 2000, the number of supermarkets had gone up to nine and the business caught the eye of Belgian group Delhaize, which bought a 51% stake in Mega Image from the Greek investors, in March 2000.
“Mega Image is a local brand, with a strong presence on the Romanian market. Delhaize brings enhanced consulting, given our experience in this field,” says Bert van der Velde, VP of the Belgian company.
Mega Image last year posted turnover worth 40 million dollars, up 25% from the 32 million euros recorded in 2000.
Mega Image holds the biggest supermarket network in Romania, outnumbering the Billa network by one. However, the Rewe-owned Billa holds the leading position in terms of sales. Turkish group Fiba, which operates two Gima supermarkets, is another competitor of Mega Image on this market segment, together with the la Fourmi supermarket network, which runs seven stores in Bucharest.
Delhaize operates in 11 countries and has 155,000 employees. Last year, the Belgian group recorded sales worth 18.2 billion euros. Delhaize also holds the Profi supermarket network on the Romanian market and is planning to open Bucharest’s second hypermarket – Cora next year.