Russian retailer Dixy is to accelerate its expansion in the north west of the country.

Dixy told just-food it plans to open 80 stores in Russia’s north-west federal region, which has St Petersburg has its administrative centre.

The company, which focuses on convenience outlets, already has 339 stores in the region – including 161 in St Petersburg – but it wants to expand further.

“Dixy Group sees great potential in expanding of the neighborhood stores network in the north-west region and intends to increase its share,” president and CEO Ilya Yakubson said.

A spokesperson for Dixy said the retailer’s logistics network in the region allows the company to cover territory 1,500 km from St Petersburg.

At the end of April, Dixy had 1,568 stores in Russia. In 2012, its sales were RUB147bn.