Following in the footsteps of other industries, the retailers in Romania have come to the conclusion that the best way to protect their interests would be to join forces and form the Association of Major Retail Chains in Romania (AMRCR). This association however, does not include the largest retailers in Romania, Metro and Carrefour, for the time being.
"We needed such a professional organisation to be able to cope with the problems on the Romanian market and promote a trade up to international standards," said Marius Ghenea, AMRCR deputy chairman and also general manager of electronics and home appliance retail chain Flanco.
He added the new organisation would lobby by the authorities to support certain law drafts and ensure an improved surveying of the retail market.
"The organisational chart of the institution was decided this spring, with the initiative committee comprised of 13 members," Ghenea added.
Besides Flanco, AMRCR comprises Artima, Bricostore, Cora, Diverta, Domo, La Fourmi, Mega Image, Mobexpert, Praktiker, Profi, Selgros and Univers'all. The thirteen companies sold more than 300 million euros' worth last year.
"We sent invitations to other companies in this industry, as well, and we are now negotiating with some of them," Ghenea added.
When contacted by Ziarul Financiar, the representatives of the top two companies in the Romanian retail sector, Metro (15 stores, 600 million euro sales in 2002) and Carrefour (100 million euro sales posted by its Chiajna-based hypermarket last year) did not care to comment, merely saying they were not AMRCR members. ionut.bonoiu@zf.ro
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