Rewe expands its operations and consolidates Billa

"For us, Poland is the most attractive Eastern European market apart from Russia," said Alain Caparros, president of Grupa Rewe. The company will expand its supermarket network which operates under the brand name of Billa so that the final number reaches 70 outlets within four years. "Apart from organic growth we also plan acquisitions. Different models of cooperation with potential partners of our network are possible," said Janusz Kulik, president of Minimal Polska, a supermarket chain of Rewe, which will soon be operating under the name of Billa. The company is considering franchises, joint venture or even entering into some kind of deal so that Rewe could help the consolidation of Spolem supermarkets. Rewe will also increase the number of Selgros hypermarkets to 18. (Puls Biznesu, p. 10) M.M.