Rewe adds 13 Moscow supermarkets to its basket

German food group retailer Rewe has continued its expansion in Russia with the acquisition of 13 supermarkets from grocery chain Njam Njam in Moscow. The transaction was carried out by Rewe's Austrian subsidiary Eurobilla which oversees the group's supermarket business in Central and Eastern Europe.

Rewe did not disclose the transaction volume but said it will now have a network of 59 stores in the Moscow area.

'As a result of the acquisition of the Njam Njam supermarkets, we are continuing to expand our position in the group of the leading grocers in Moscow and are generating new momentum for our future organic growth,' said board member Lionel Souque. 'At the same time, we are underscoring the major role that Russia plays in our internationalization strategy.'

Rewe said it is extending its expansion effort in the supermarket business beyond the Russian capital to the cities of Tula, Kursk and Voronezh.

The group recently strengthened its position in Germany. In November, Rewe announced it is to acquire 328 Plus discount stores from its peer Tengelmann. The transaction volume for this deal was not disclosed either.