Claude Sarrailh, CEO of Ahold Delhaize for Europe and Indonesia, a business worth over 35 billion euros
♦ The Dutch-Belgian group Ahold Delhaize owns the Profi and Mega Image networks in Romania, which bring together about 2,700 stores and businesses worth 4.8 billion euros annually.
The food trade group Ahold Delhaize, which owns the Profi and Mega Image chains in Romania, continues to see growth potential for the local economy and the retail market, which is why it will open more than 100 stores under the two brands every year.
"I am optimistic when it comes to Romania. I am convinced that there is a very large potential here. Why do I say this? Because it is a large country, with a large population. At the same time, the potential is very good in two key areas - energy and agriculture. Last but not least, people are very well prepared and educated, I am thinking here of the IT and engineering areas, but not only," says Claude Sarrailh, CEO of Ahold Delhaize for Europe and Indonesia, a business of over 35 billion euros annually.
The executive acknowledges that the last six to eight months have been more difficult for the local market, but the future still looks good. That is why the group will continue to invest. He does not provide figures on the budgets, but says they will not be lower than before.
From the data communicated in previous years by Profi and Mega Image – the two networks owned by Ahold Delhaize –, it would be about total investments of 150 million euros.
More precisely, Profi previously announced budgets of around 100 million euros, while Mega Image was talking about 50 million euros, money that went primarily towards expansion, but also towards logistics, portfolio, etc.
"We continue to develop rapidly. We are targeting over 100 new stores annually under the Profi and Mega Image brands. It is a sign of confidence in the local economy and at the same time a statement that shows the potential of the market," he explains.
Ahold Delhaize has owned the Mega Image supermarket and convenience store chain for more than 20 years, with a total of about 1,000 units with a turnover of 10.5 billion lei (2 billion euros). In 2023, the group also took over Profi from the MidEuropa Partners investment fund. The chain has over 1,700 supermarkets and convenience stores with a turnover of over 14 billion lei (2.8 billion euros) last year.
"What I can say is that we didn't buy Profi to stop there. We want to expand Profi to rural areas, and Mega Image to big cities."
Source: https://www.zf.ro/
