A supermarket chain described as the "Russian Lidl" has unveiled plans to open 300 stores in Scotland and across the UK within the next decade.
Mere is hoping to compete with the likes of Aldi and Lidl with its supermarkets offering affordable food and drink options.
The brand was first established in Siberia in 2009 and has since opened branches in countries such as Germany, Poland and Romania, the Daily Record reports.
Now, the first UK branch is set to open its doors in July of this year in Preston.
Mere claims that it will undercut the existing discounters by 20-30% - thanks to a no-frills model that see suppliers deliver directly to stores, with just eight employees per branch.
The firm is looking for sites of around 10,000 square feet, with parking spaces for 30-40 cars and a local population of 60,000 or more.
A notice on its website reads: “We are looking for suitable locations across UK to expand our retail chain.
“At the moment, despite coronavirus, we are actively involved with landlords, their representatives and agents with the aim to open our Mere retail stores ASAP.”
The firm describes itself as a “major operator in the low-price segment” that acts in a “simple and customer-centred manner”.
They also sell a “diverse range of high quality products” and supplies “fresh products”.
It has around 3,200 stores across the globe and has been opening in Europe since 2018.
The supermarket chain’s head of buying, Pavels Antonovs, said: “We are a gap in the market. We don’t have any competitors. Our model is no service and no marketing.”
