Casino expands in Poland - Groupe Casino - Brief Article

Eurofood, July 20, 2000

French supermarket giant Casino is planning to spend around PlZ2.5bn (615m [European Dollar]) on developing its network of stores in Poland. Over the next five years, Casino hopes to open 20 to 25 Geant hypermarkets as well as 200 Leader Price supermarkets. Furthermore, there are plans for a PlZ40m, 30 000[m.sup.2] enlargement to its distribution centre in Strykow, near Lodz. The investments will be financed by the parent company, Casino Guichard-Perrachon.

Last April, Geant Polska, a member of the Casino group, issued bonds for PlZ200m, which were purchased by banks and insurance companies. Currently there are eleven Geant hypermarkets in Poland, all of which have an accompanying shopping mall. Some have been extended to accommodate cinemas. Paul Nitschmann, general director of Casino Polska, claims there will be 20 to 25 hypermarkets built within the next five years. Leader Price supermarkets are aimed at smaller cities, with an average store size of 1 200[m.sup.2]. So far there are stores in Warsaw, Lodz, Torun and Wlockawek. A further 18 to 19 stores are planned for this year, and then 25 stores a year will be opened until the figure reaches 200.