Russia's X5 Retail Group plans to step up store openings next year on the heels of consumer recovery. The retailer expects to open 250 to 300 discounters, 20 supermarkets and 10 hypermarkets.
The company, which stocks licensed product ranges, including for Ice Age, is currently negotiating the acquisition of smaller chain Kopeika, which could add more than 600 stores. Official data reports that Russian retail sales grew 2.9 percent in October compared with the previous month.