Biedronka's growth plan anything but meek

Jerónimo Martins, Portuguese owner of the Biedronka discount store network, announced plans to construct distribution centers and further increase development of its network. "In the coming years we will be opening 90 to 100 shops of 600-1,000sqm, annually. We will also be constructing distribution centers. This investment will cost us zł.500-600 million annually," said Pedro Pereira da Silva, Biedronka's general director. He went on to say that he saw three ways of financing this undertaking. "We can spend our own funds, debut on the bourse, or sell our portfolio of real estate and then rent it from the investor," he added, but did not disclose any possible date for entering the Warsaw Stock Exchange. It was also revealed that, although the company failed to purchase its competitor, Leader Price, it has not given up on the possibility of continued growth through acquisitions. (Puls Biznesu, p.8) A.K.