Retail News: E. Leclerc; Harper Hygienics looks for investor; Decathlon

The French retailer E. Leclerc is to reinvest zl. 160 million of its profits this year. The chain has plans to open two new hypermarkets and commence work on three more. At present Leclerc has nine stores and its revenues for 2002 totalled zl 1.5 billion ... French firm Harper Hygienics, manufacturer of the Cleanic brand of cotton beauty care products, is rumoured to be on the lookout for a financial investor. Unofficial sources say that the company is hoping to raise zl. 230 million for the takeover of sector rivals ... The French manufacturer and distributor of sports equipment Decathlon hopes to have five stores opened by the end of 2005. In the long-term it intends to open 50 outlets. At present it has one shop, with a second scheduled to open in May. (Retail News is C/O Polish Market Review Retail Update No. 7, www.polishmarket.com)