French hypermarket chain Leclerc could enter the Romanian market as early as next year, via a first store on the former Chimopar industrial platform in capital Bucharest, according to Mediafax newswire. Cyprus based Meveco Holdings bought a 35-hectare land plot in Bucharest from Chimopar Bucharest for some EUR 18 million. The Cyprus based company is currently negotiating with Leclerc and a further retailer seeking to enter the Romanian market, as Meveco is planning to lease the plot for the construction of two stores –  a do-it-yourself (DIY) store and for French food retailer Leclerc. Construction work should start in spring next year, according to Mediafax newswire, quoting sources in the retail market.

Another bidder for the land plot, Interprime Properties, the real estate fund in the Ikea group, offered EUR 22 million for the piece of land. Interprime Properties’s offer however included the condition that Avrig 35 and Cascade Group also sold the 31-hectare plot adjoining Chimopar’s land. Cascade group and Avrig 35 showed no interest in selling the adjoining plot, so Chimopar chose the other bidder, Meveco holdings, according to the company.

Leclerc has 627 hypermarkets, supermarkets and other store formats in France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain and Slovenia.

Corina Saceanu, corina@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Wikipedia)