Delhaize Group wants to take over Podgorica-based Voli

Belgium's Delhaize Group is interested in taking over Voli market chain in Montenegro, Portal Analitika learns. According to reliable information, the Belgian company is willing to buy all retail and distribution facilities of Voli on the territory of Montenegro. However, people at Voli are not willing to sell megamarkets in Bar, at the Old Airport, and in Radanovici, while other facilities may be sold to Delhaize Group under certain conditions.

Representatives of Voli pointed out that they had not been contacted by Delhaize Group to date. The owner of Voli, Dragan Bokan, said that some large market chains from Europe had also expressed interest in acquiring his megamarket chain.

- However, nobody from Delhaize Group has officially contacted us to date. At this moment I can say that Voli is not for sale. It is not surprising that Voli is the subject of interest of certain market chains from Europe since it is the best-formatted retail chain with the best and most extensive network of markets - said Bokan, adding that Montenegro needed a domestic retail chain.

Voli was formed in 1995. According to the company's website, its share in the market of Montenegro amounts to about 20%, and it employs 1,050 people. This year Voli became the authorized dealer for BMW and Mini. The company also opened a distribution-logistics center in the vicinity of KAP (Podgorica Aluminum Plant) and a market in Virpazar this year. Ten days ago Voli opened a megamarket in Bijelo Polje. The company owns over 25 retail facilities.

By taking over Voli, Delhaize Group would fulfill its strategic plan to become the leading retail network in the Balkans, Portal Analitika cites its Belgian source as saying.