Russian grocery chain Lenta plans to double the number of stores it runs by 2014.
According to chairman Dmitry Kostygin, Lenta plans to open 34 hypermarkets over the next four years.
Most of the hypermarkets will be opened in the south-western region of Russia, Siberia and in the south of the country.
According to a source at Lenta, the company will open up to 10 hypermarkets in 2011. The average investment in one store will be up to US$20-25m with each store 12,500 thousand sq m in size. The total level of investments in 2011 is estimated at $250m.
According to Russian analysts, Lenta might be able to implement such ambitious plans, taking into account its good financial results in recent months, which allowed it to almost reach pre-crisis figures.

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataMost of the funds are expected to come from Lenta’s existing resources but there is also the possibility of taking out loans from the banks.