The German Schwarz group, which owns Lidl and Kaufland, announces that it intends to take over the majority of the Romanian supermarket chain actions at Cocoș, the transaction being subject to the usual approvals of the authorities, including the Competition Council.
“The company at Cocoş has developed an impressive business model and has a significant growth potential. Through the exchange of knowledge and experience, we want to learn from each other and carry together the success story of the company”Explains Christian Groh, the president of the Board of Directors of the Schwarz Corporate Solutions.
According to the same announcement, the companies within the Schwarz group intend to expand the model together with the current leadership in Romania. The employees of the stores will continue to remain employees in the Com-Pania after the planned takeover.
“We have the chance to benefit from the expertise of a successful commercial group. We enjoy a close collaboration in order to develop our consecrated concept and maintain an attractive offer for our clients and in the future”, Said Iulian Nica, the general director of the company in Cocoş.
Founded in 2014 in Ploiești by the entrepreneur Iulian Nica, in Cocoș is known for the low -priced policy and for the fact that he has introduced the concept with three price levels, depending on the quantity purchased.
Until December 2024, the network functioned as a family business.
Since December 2024, the company has attracted a consortium formed from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and Morphosis Capital investment funds, which have taken a package of 56% of shares. Although the majority, the investors offered the entrepreneur Iulian Nica-remained with 44% of the shares-full management rights. The capital infusion brought by the investors aims to open 12 new stores and reach the threshold of 1 billion euros in sales in the next five years.
Currently, four stores operate in Cocoș: two in Ploiești, one in Bucharest and one in Brasov, according to Economy.
In Cocoș he recently announced that he will open a new store in the Supernova Pitești shopping center, after Carrefour announced that he would close this space, the second recent closure of the French group after the Sun Plaza supermarket in the south of the capital. The official opening of the store La Cocoș in Supernova Pitesti is expected at the end of summer, at the latest until September 15, 2025. The exact date and the special launch offers will be announced in the next period.
In Cocoş he ended the year 2024 with business of 1.18 billion lei, 20.7% higher than in the previous year and became the first Romanian retailer to exceed the threshold of lei.
