‘We do believe Auchan is going to entice away a number of customers, both retail and wholesale ones (probably in equal proportions), currently loyal to local stores. The introduction of this French chain store is an advantage for the consumers and an extra impetus for the local players to grow more client-friendly,’ the spokesperson for Kupets Ltd. (a popular local chain) Nadezhda Buriko said to UrBC representative.

Ms Buriko thinks the market will have to go through re-distribution because of the competition created by the arrival of Auchan.