What a wonderful day

The German grocery retailer Metro Cash & Carry is launching a new format of cash and carry that are smaller in size under the brand of Metro Punkt. The first outlet of the kind opened on 2,100 m2 in Vologda on 17 May 2012. The trading space covers 1,600 m2, the assortment consists of 4,100 SKUs with a relatively low share of fresh food products and non-food. Investments in one opening are estimated at €1m ($1.3m).
Metro had already had plans to develop the Metro Punkt brand in Russia in 2010. At that time, the first store was to open in Belgorod. Recently, the company announced another new brand to be developed in Russia under its umbrella – Fasol small convenience stores – whose first pilot stores were expected to open in late spring this year.

Source: Russia Retail

Germany-based drugstore operator dm has opened its first two stores in Macedonia. Both are located in the city centre of the capital Skopje. By the end of the year, dm plans to open another outlet in the region.

Source: Planet Retail

Metro Group-owned Real is in talks with French retailer Auchan over the sale of its Central & Eastern European (CEE) business.

Source: Manager Magazin

Sandwich chain Subway plans to open up to 150 restaurants in Central & Eastern Europe (CEE) this year, bring its total number of stores in the region to around 500.

Source: Planet Retail