Discount chain Netto has announced that it plans to appoint a new chief executive for its Polish operation, as the process of transforming the recently-acquired Tesco Poland operation gets underway.
In a statement, the group announced the departure of CEO Janusz Stroka, who has been leading the company since 2018, with Mark Nielsen, a member of Netto parent Salling Group's executive committee installed as a temporary replacement as the business searches for a new CEO.
Commenting on Stroka's departure, Netto International chief executive Michael Løve said that he did an "excellent job" for the discounter during his tenure, having "strengthened the organisational structure of the chain, significantly improved its image and implemented our new concept of Netto 3.0 stores".
Netto said that it plans to appoint a new chief executive to its Polish business later this year.
Store Transformation
Following the granting of competition and regulatory clearance, Netto Polska is currently in the process of transforming 300 former Tesco stores, which over the coming one and a half years will increase its total store portfolio to 700 outlets.
The takeover was valued at around PLN 900 million (€197 million), with the group expected to invest a further PLN 900 million in the transformation of its store estate, in line with the Netto 3.0 concept.
'A Serious Player'
"After doubling its size in the coming year and a half as a result of the transaction with Tesco, Netto Polska will become a serious player in one of the largest markets in Europe," said Løve.
"Transforming 300 stores and integrating many new employees with the current team is a very interesting, but also extremely demanding management task. A unique challenge awaits the future CEO of Netto Polska, as he or she will be responsible for bringing the company to a new level."
Netto Polska opened its first outlet in Szczecin in 1995 and currently has over 5,000 employees.
Commenting on its Polish exit last month, Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy said, "We were sorry to lose the Polish business, it really is a great business and it's gone to a great group, Salling Group.
"We're very grateful to our colleagues in Poland for all the work they have done over the past few years, they have been tremendous during this transition period."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. For more Retail news, click here. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
