Konzum eyes expansion to Macedonia

Croatian supermarket chain Konzum, part of Agrokor Group, is analysing the retail market in Macedonia with a view to launching operations in the country

The news was confirmed to local portal Skopje Info by sources from a company tasked with examining market development and conditions in Macedonia.

According to the same sources, the Croatian company is 'almost ready' to make a decision on whether to commence investment activities in Macedonia.

If everything goes according to plan, the first Konzum supermarket should be opened in Macedonia’s capital Skopje at the beginning of 2019.

Konzum is the largest Croatian supermarket chain with more than 12,000 employees and 700 supermarkets. As well as its home market, it is also present in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as in Serbia and Montenegro, where it operates under the Idea banner.

In the recent period, the company underwent a reorganisation process, which led to the closure of a number of stores and loss of jobs.

Should it decide to enter Macedonia, Konzum will be faced with competition from both local (Tinex, Kam Market, Zito Market) and foreign (Greece’s Vero and Turkey’s Ramstore) grocery retailers. (www.esmmagazine.com)