Serbia’s Minister of Trade, Rasim Ljajić, claims that "everything is ready" for the start of operations of German retailer Lidl in Serbia, which should happen by the end of the year.
In an interview for local daily Blic, he said that the discounter retailer has so far rented 12 locations in Serbia, but that business in the region is to start working when it secures 15 locations.
Ljajić added that the arrival of Lidl should have positive effects on prices as well as quality of sale, pointing out that the experience from other countries showed prices in Lidl stores are 30 per cent lower than those of the competition.
Among the cities where Lidl will have its stores are Belgrade, Čačak, Subotica, Leskovac, Novi Sad, Zrenjanin, Niš, Smederevo, Valjevo and Pančevo.
Lidl was initially due to launch operations in the country last year, but the start has been stalled over land and permit issues. Serbia’s new planning and construction law is expected to speed up the issuance of permits to Lidl and other investors, including Ikea.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic
