Retailers invest 150m euros in domestic networks

The German, French and Belgian groups operating on the 7-8bn euro modern food retail market have raised their subscribed share capital by 150m euros in the first six months of the year, twice the value of capital injections operated in H1, 2008, Trade Registry data shows. The biggest capital increases were operated by German companies real Hypermarket, Kaufland and Selgros Cash & Carry, with the first two filling the top positions in the ranking of the biggest investors in modern retail last year, as well. “In my opinion, there can be two explanations for the capital raises the German networks operated this year: they are becoming feasible due to the falling land prices or there could be a conversion of loans from shareholders into shares of network operators,” says Radu Merica, chairman of the Romanian-German Trade Chamber.