Active sector in Russia

The DIY retailers in Russia are pursuing what are at times very far-reaching growth plans. Metrika, for instance, intends to expand its network of branches to approximately 100 outlets. These are to include some smaller stores around 2 000 m² in size. Growth is also planned for the franchise system that has now been set up. In geographical terms the company no longer intends to limit itself to north-west Russia as has so far been the case, but is also setting its sights on the more southerly Black Earth region. Petrovitch, a building materials supplier with the Uroven format that is aimed at the end consumer, also intends to use a franchise system to expand its chain by around 20 stores. Five outlets are to be added on the trade side by 2013. Stroidepot intends to grow by four outlets altogether, with two new openings scheduled for June. The Start chain is planning to double its network from the present total of eight stores. Moreover, five stores of 3 000 m² each are to be added to the Vimos portfolio. The market-leading international companies are also planning further openings. Following two openings in Samara and Krasnojarsk, Leroy Merlin intends to bring four more DIY stores into operation this year in Moscow, Tver, Volgograd and Yekaterinburg. After that the schedule envisages six to eight new openings per year. Obi plans to open three or four DIY stores annually over the next three to four years. You can read a detailed report on the Russian market in the issue of DIY International that has just come out. Additional information can be found here at DIYglobal in the DIYglobal Plus section (see below: Other articles on this topic).