Italian supermarket chain Conad, has started signing agreements with religious orders, for the use of their premises to open new stores.
According to a report in local daily, “Italia Oggi”, the first such contract has been signed with the Salesians in Genoa, with one of the areas and premises of the institute, becoming a Conad supermarket.
The second contract is for the purchase (or lease) of the Champagnat sports centre, in Genoa, owned by a religious congregation.
Part of the huge structure would maintain its sports vocation, (to be managed by Virgin Active), while the other part, would be used for the sale of foodstuffs by Conad, which edged out competition from Simply Market.
The proceeds of the transactions would be used by both religious orders for charitable purposes.The new stores in Genoa are part of Conad’s plans for the opening of 88 supermarkets this year.
The retailer currently has 3,055 sales points throughout Italy and a market share of 11.9%.
Besides growth in the traditional grocery sector, Conad is also developing the PetStore Conad concept, with 15 active sales points by the end of 2016, selling both private label and specialised brand products.
The retailer also operates 35 petrol stations, 101 pharmacies and 20 optic stores.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
