A supermarket chain dubbed the “Russian Lidl” is opening its first stores in the UK this summer - and claims to be cheaper than any other store.
Svetofor, which was founded in Siberia but trades under Mere in Europe, says it costs up to 30 per cent less than other budget shops like Aldi.
As the Mirror reports, the Russian chain has 3,200 stores internationally and opened its first European Mere store in 2018.
It now trades in Germany - where rival Aldi started - and Poland, Romania, Lithuania, Latvia and Ukraine.
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But reports say its first UK store will open next month in Preston in a former Nisa branch.
A further three shops are also planned - including two in Wales, in Mold and Caldicot, and another in Castleford in the north of England.
Speaking to trade magazine The Grocer, Pavels Antonovs said Mere 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.”
Mere stores are expected to double up as warehouses, with images from other sites across Europe showing items displayed on palettes.
Suppliers are also expected to deliver straight to the shops, which will each be about 10,000 sq ft.
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 and just eight staff.
Of course, we don't know yet how its prices will compare to the likes of Aldi and Lidl - but the former was just named cheapest supermarket named for a basket of 20 essential items by Which? magazine.
The report found a trolley of 20 essential items would have cost shoppers £22.64 at Aldi compared to £30.89 at Waitrose.
Although Lidl wasn't far behind Aldi in terms of cheapest, coming in at just 12p cheaper for the same goods.
