GRAPHICS X-ray in trade: In Romania, over three times more supermarkets are being built than agri-food markets
In Romania, more than three times more supermarkets are being built than modern agri-food markets, shows an analysis based on data from the Victa platform of the consulting company IBC Focus, which monitors construction sites nationwide. Within a year, 71 supermarket projects were monitored in Romania and, also in the last 12 months, 20 agri-food market projects were identified. According to a RisCo analysis, the supermarket sector in our country ended 2024 with a total turnover of 149 billion lei, up by 4.35% compared to the previous year, and the cumulative net profit was 4.1 billion lei.
We present you some relevant data from the retail sector, in the context in which the local market is preparing for changes: the French supermarket chain Carrefour is preparing to sell its stores in Romania and mandated the BNP Paribas bank to look for a buyer.
"It is a statistic that speaks for itself about how the country's commercial infrastructure is transforming. While large chains continue to invest massively in expansion, agri-food markets and small local traders seem to be lagging behind, at least in terms of construction. However, beyond the numbers, traditional Romanian trade seems more alive than ever, reinventing itself in surprising ways," notes the analysis, IBC Focus's analysis platform.
According to data provided by the Victa.ro platform, 71 supermarket projects were monitored nationally between October 2024 and October 2025. Of these, 69 are new constructions and 2 represent modernizations.
As for the implementation stage, 32 are in pre-construction phases, 14 are under construction, and 25 are already completed.
The geographical distribution confirms a clear trend of urban concentration: most projects are found in Bucharest (7 projects), Iași (7), Maramureș (6) and Brașov (6).
Agri-food markets, an infrastructure that is slowly modernizing, but not disappearing
Also in the last 12 months, 20 agri-food market projects were identified, of which 13 new constructions, 2 renovations, 4 modernizations, and 1 expansion.
Regarding the status of the works, 9 projects are in the pre-construction phase, six are under construction, one is under development and only 4 are completed.
The biggest players in the supermarket industry
The supermarket sector in Romania ended 2024 with a total turnover of 149 billion lei, up 4.351% compared to the previous year, and the cumulative net profit was 4.1 billion lei, according to the financial analysis platform RisCo.ro.
What is the top of the largest supermarkets in Romania, according to financial data reported for 2024:
1. Lidl
Lidl ranks first in the ranking of supermarkets in Romania, reporting a turnover of 23.97 billion lei and a net profit of 1.22 billion lei in 2024. The company had 12,735 employees, and sales per employee were 1.88 billion lei. Lidl is 100% owned by the German company WE International GMBH.
2. Kaufland
Kaufland ranks second, with a turnover of 19.58 billion lei and a net profit of 1.15 billion lei. The number of employees was 14,592, and sales per employee reached 1.34 million lei. Kaufland's main shareholder is the German company Kaufland International Erste GMBH, with a stake of 99.9%.
3. Professional
Profi ranks third in the top, recording a turnover of 14.12 billion lei and a net loss of 210 million lei in 2024. The company had 6,072 employees, with an average of 2.32 million lei in sales per employee. Profi's main shareholder is Delhaize The Lion Nederland BV from the Netherlands with a percentage of 100%.
4. Carrefour
In fourth place is Carrefour, with a turnover of 12.54 billion lei and a net profit of 52.4 million lei. The total number of employees was 10,141, and sales per employee were 1.23 million lei. Carrefour is owned by Hyparlo Sas, a company from France, with a percentage of 94.36%.
5. Mega Image
Mega Image occupies the fifth position, reporting a turnover of 10.58 billion lei and a net profit of 116.9 million lei. The company had 10,317 employees, with sales per employee of 1.02 million lei. Mega Image's main shareholder is Delhaize The Lion Nederland BV from the Netherlands with a percentage of 100%.
6. Penny
Penny ranks 6th, with a turnover of 9.44 billion and a profit of 224.9 million lei. The number of employees was 7,283, and sales per employee reached 1.29 million lei. The Penny chain is owned 100% by the German company Rewe Beteilingungs Holding International GMBH.
7. Auchan
Auchan ranks last in the top, reporting a turnover of 7.74 billion lei and a net loss of 8.6 million lei in 2024. The company had 6,663 employees, and sales per employee were 1.16 million lei. Auchan belongs to the French Mulliez group, being owned by the Dutch company Monicole Exploitatiemaatschappij BV in proportion to 75% and by the French company Auchan Retail International SA in proportion to 25%.
All of the top companies are controlled by foreign groups – mainly from Germany, France and Belgium. Lidl and Kaufland, both with German shareholders, together generate over a third of all food retail sales in Romania.
Market evolution in the last three years
The supermarket market has registered moderate and constant growth over the last three years. According to RisCo.ro data, the total market value was:
• in 2022: 127.5 billion lei (+17.51% YoY);
• in 2023: 143.4 billion lei (+12.6%);
• in 2024: 149.7 billion lei (+4.35%).
The industry's net profit ranged between 4.1 and 4.5 billion lei, and the average profit margin ranged between 2.7% and 3.4%. The profit margin recorded is very low, considering the field of activity.
The total number of employees remained above 170,000, and sales per employee gradually increased, from 685,000 lei in 2022 to 875,000 lei in 2024.
The supermarket market in Romania is maintaining a moderate upward trend, dominated by Lidl and Kaufland, which account for over a third of the sector's total turnover.
source: https://economedia.ro/
