A supermarket chain dubbed the “Russian Lidl” is planning on opening more than 300 stores in the UK over the next eight to ten years, it has been reported.
Russian discounter Mere has already confirmed plans to open four UK stores this year, with the first expected to open this summer.
But it’s now emerged that the supermarket chain, which trades as Svetofor in Russia, is ramping up its expansion plans and wants to open hundreds more stores in the UK over the next few years.
According to trade magazine The Grocer, Mere wants to open more than 300 stores over the next eight to ten years.
Mere has 3,200 stores internationally and opened its first European Mere store in 2018.
It had originally planned to open its first ever store in the UK in Preston in June - but this has now reportedly been pushed back until mid-July.
A further three shops are also planned - including two in Wales, in Mold and Caldicot, and another in Castleford in the north of England.
The Mirror has also reported on all the other locations where Mere would like to open up shops - although none of the locations have yet been set in stone.
Mere stores in Europe effectively double up as warehouses, with images from existing sites showing items displayed on palettes.
Suppliers are expected to deliver straight to the shops, cutting down costs on having to store items elsewhere.
As well as fresh food, Mere shops across Europe also have chilled and frozen ranges.
Each store in the UK will have around 1,200 items, just eight staff, and be around 10,000 sq ft.
Speaking to The Grocer last month, Mere UK head of buying Pavels Antonovs said the supermarket's prices will undercut even the cheapest supermarkets.
Mr Antonovs said: “We are the gap in the market. We don’t have any competitors.
“Our model is no service and no marketing.”
