Mars focus on medium sized towns pays off

Gorzów-based Mars, one of the leaders in the white-goods and radio and television retailing sector, plans to open 30 stores by the end of the year. "We commenced our development from Western Poland and now we are focusing on the East of the country. We have already opened 50 stores over the last six months," said Zdzisław Kałamaga, CEO and owner of Mars. The firm is locating its outlets in small and medium sized towns, the network of which currently exceeds 300 stores and should reach 500 by the end of 2006. Mars owns all of its shops and it contracts out virtually nothing. "A good solution would be to enter the bourse, but this would be no earlier than in two years time," declared Kałamaga. This announcement is similar to plans of other similar chains, which have also declared their willingness to float their shares. (Puls Biznesu, pp. 1, 5) M.M.