Russian discounter Svetofor continues expanding in Greece. After entering the Greek market in 2021 under the brand Mere, currently run by Torg Hellas Ike, and the recent opening of three supermarkets in Thessaloniki, Kalamata, and Amaliada, the Russian company currently operates seven such shops in Greece. The remaining shops are located in Tripoli, Korinthos, Agrinio, and Larisa. A new one will open in Giannitsa by the end of February, while the company's administration is seeking more suitable premises for rent.
Mere in Agrinio.
Except for the shop in Thessaloniki, which is in a big city, the other shops are located in smaller towns with strong agricultural activity. "We don't do imports," says Mrs. Nazik Sahakyan, head buyer of fruits and vegetables at Mere. "We are interested in reaching new agreements with growers and packers from the areas where we are located in order to supply our shops with local and absolutely fresh products. We want to offer our clients a wider variety of products compared to the current selection, starting with an expanded vegetable selection. Once our customers get used to finding more products in our shops, we will take the next step and expand our fruit selection."
As Mrs. Sahakyan explains: "We don't have many products at the moment. So far, Mere offers only tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, and kiwifruit. We want to enhance our fruit and vegetable offer with seasonal products of long durability. We ask for large volumes of fast-selling products." She also adds: "Mere offers only packaged fruits and vegetables. Nothing is sold in bulk, and all our products bear the brands of their respective suppliers. We don't have private labels."
Mere in Tripoli.
As a discounter, Mere aims to provide competitive prices. "We aim to offer our products at 20% lower prices compared to other supermarkets, so we ask our suppliers for the lowest price possible. However, we allow our suppliers to set their own conditions regarding product returns and the circumstances under which returns can take place. We are flexible and want to give this opportunity to our suppliers as well," the f&v head buyer of Mere concludes.
For more information:
Nazik Sahakyan
Mere
Tel: +30 210 959 7559
Email: [email protected]