German discount chain "Lidl" will invest in the future about 5 million euros in Serbia, according to well informed sources of "Blic". The first step has already been done - purchase of land in Zrenjanin, and the company is hastily choosing locations in other cities. For the time being, the choices are being made for Valjevo, Novi Sad, Belgrade and Nis.

Total cash capital of "Lidl" in Serbia amounted to one million euros until recently, and then at the end of January this year, another four million were paid in.

- For now they researched sites in twenty cities in which they consider opening supermarkets. Since the cash capital has been increased, it means that some decisions have already been taken and purchase will soon follow up. Firstly, it is likely to open the facilities outside the capital, because the most expensive land is in Belgrade, and in other cities in Serbia it would operate as one retail chain - said interlocutor of "Blic".

The land in Zrenjanin has already been purchased, it was confirmed for "Blic" in the "Serbian Lidl supermarkets." However, they did not want to say anything concrete about the next step of the investment.

- The objective of our business is to provide multiple locations, and then to simultaneously open multiple facilities.

- Given that we are in Serbia at the beginning of development, we are not yet able to answer all questions - say representatives of the "Serbian Lidl supermarkets" which registered their business with us as yet as on 22nd of December, 2010.
'Blic' source indicates that the investment in Zrenjanin should amount to around EUR 1.5 million.

- The remaining 3.5 million will be invested in three other buildings, although the plans for Serbia involve more than 20 supermarkets - says our source.

In Zrenjanin, the first supermarket on approximately 2,000 square meters will be opened at the main bus station, and will hire about 25 workers. "Lidl" is active in more than 20 European countries and has more than 9,000 stores.