14 December 2009

Auchan has opened its first Raduga-format hypermarket, located in Penza, 388 miles south-east of Moscow. Jean-Pierre Zhermen, Head of Auchan Russia, said this was the start of a new retail chain that was being launched in Russia catering for cities with populations of 250,000-500,000 people. He said that total investment in the Penza outlet came to around EUR3 million (USD4.4 million) and a similar store would be opened in Kaluga, western Russia, by year's end. He also said that if the new store is a success, mass construction of Raduga outlets would start at the end of 2010, with a further 100 stores a possibility.