Italian large-scale regional retailer Maiora Despar Centro Sud is planning over 70 store openings and the renovation of existing stores over the course of 2023, reports daily Il Sole 24 Ore.
The company is investing more than €20 million this year, out of the €100 million earmarked in its 2021 to 2025 business plan.
The plan anticipates the opening of 40 new stores, including both directly and indirectly managed outlets, and the renovation of 32 stores.
The growth plan also includes the cash-and-carry channel, which, in the coming month, will see the number of Altasfera stores in southern Italy rise to eight with an opening in Reggio Calabria, thus strengthening its presence in the region.
The development plan also envisions the setting up of a new distribution centre between Naples and Caserta by the second half of 2023.
As a result of the new openings, the group will hire an additional 100 employees, adding to its current 2,500 employees.
Turnover Growth
"This year we expect to increase turnover again, by 10% over 2022, reaching €1.1 billion," commented Pippo Cannillo, president and CEO of Maiora.
In the eight regions in which it is present, Maiora is also establishing the Ard Discount store, a joint venture with Ergon, which started last January.
By the end of the year, the number of stores will increase from the current 10 to 20, with an estimated turnover of €30 million at the checkout counters.
Maiora Despar Centro Sud recorded 7.2% revenue growth in 2022, to €987 million, despite significant energy price increases and shrinking consumption.
The group, which is based in Corato, in the province of Bari, is active with more than 500 stores and seven cash-and-carry outlets, in Puglia, Basilicata, Molise, Calabria, Campania, Abruzzo and Lazio.
© 2023 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
