France's Auchan hypermarket chain plans to launch its first Auchan Drive outlet in Moscow next year, where customers can pick up goods ordered on-line, Auchan Russia General Director Jean-Pierre Germain said on Tuesday.
The retailer is searching for a site of about 3,000 square meters for the store, Germain told reporters at a news conference on the tenth anniversary of the company's activities in Russia.
Auchan also plans to open its first electronics store in Russia in September 2012. Customers will be also be able to order electronic goods on-line and pick them up in the Moscow-based outlet, which is likely to be named Electrodiscount.
Germain declined to specify any other details about the electronic goods store to Prime news agency.
The French retail giant, established in 1961, entered the Russian market in 2002. Auchan now manages 52 retail outlets in Russia and plans to increase the number of its stores to 150 to 2015-2017, Auchan Chairman Vianney Mulliez said.
The retailer has invested over 50 billion rubles ($1.6 billion) in its Russian business in the past ten years, Mulliez added.
