Discounter Lidl prepares to enter four Balkan markets

[ad_1]

Discounter Lidl is entering the markets of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Kosovo, following the successful rollout of operations in Croatia, Slovenia and Serbia.

Bosnia Herzegovina

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, Lidl has started construction of a large distribution center in Lepenica, near Sarajevo – a key step before starting operations in this market.

The 60,000 square meter center is located near a highway connecting the cities of Sarajevo and Mostar.

Over the past two years, the supermarket chain has been hiring staff and scouting locations across the country.

There are plans to open stores in cities and municipalities in Bosnia and Herzegovina with populations over 30,000, with the first locations already secured in cities like Sarajevo and Bijeljina.

Montenegro

Although Lidl’s original plan was to start operations in Montenegro by the end of 2023, this is now unlikely to happen, due to difficulties in finding the right locations for stores.

According to local media, the discounter has so far managed to secure three locations in Montenegro: one in Nikšić and two in Podgorica.

North Macedonia

Lidl registered a local subsidiary in North Macedonia two years ago and has since been scouring the country for potential store locations.

The discounter recently announced the start of construction of its first store in Bitola, on one of the two plots of land purchased, while another agreement was recently signed for the purchase of the Mr. Bricolage center – which will be the first Lidl store in North Macedonia – from Skopski Pazar.

The discounter recently paid 5.3 million euros for a 17-hectare plot of land in Gornji Konjar, near Kumanovo, where it plans to build a logistics center.

A provisional date of 2026 has been unofficially mentioned for the opening of the first stores in North Macedonia.

Kosovo

In Kosovo, Lidl has started recruiting staff for its future stores, says report post on LinkedIn profile from the Kosovo-based unit of HR services provider, the HeadHunter Group.

Positions advertised include Real Estate Portfolio Specialist, Administrative Assistant, Civil Engineer, Real Estate Specialist and Human Resources Administration Specialist.

Last year, the president of the Kosovo Chamber of Commerce, Berat Rukiqi, confirmed that Lidl was considering opening stores in Kosovo, adding that it was “good news” for the economy and local producers, because this would allow the export of local products. to other Lidl markets.

[ad_2]

Source link

Related posts

EqualiTECH 2019 Human Rights Hackathon Launches in Kosovo

Being LGBTI in the Western Balkans is easier, but far from easy

New Zealand attack reveals right-wing extremists’ fascination with Balkans