Metrika keeps up rate of expansion

Metrika, a Russian DIY chain, reports sales of more than RUB 10.6 bn (€ 250 mio) in 2012, which represents an increase of 44 per cent. By the end of the year the company’s store network numbered 85 branches. The intention is to open between 30 and 40 more in 2013 as in recent years. One-third of the growth was down to the acquisition of smaller firms, which will also continue into the future. This information came from board member Alexander Jovlev at the DIY Forum within the framework of the Mosbuild trade fair in Moscow. The SBR Corporation of St Petersburg, which operates the Metrika chain, is a regional player that concentrates in the main on the northwest of the country. Now, according to Jovlev, his company’s goal is to make inroads into the region of central Russia, in particular the Moscow region, and cities with a minimum population of 50 000. Moscow is not an issue here, but rather the Volga region. The intention over and above this is to again open large-format DIY stores in the northwest in 2013, having concentrated on smaller formats over the past five years. Yet another goal is to develop a new format for cities with a population of around 200 000.