Grocery store chains are investing hundreds of millions of crowns into expanding and modernizing their networks in the Czech Republic, but denik.cz reports that the discounters are leading the pack. Lidl opened its first store in a shopping center in Holešovice and now operates 37 stores in Prague alone. That’s just five more than Penny market. Both of the German discounters are also investing heavily in the regions, according to denik.cz, especially in the Central Bohemia which is having to absorb a large influx of new residents. It writes that Penny Market is currently rebuilding an old store in Řevnice to replace an old store, while Lidl is completing a similar renovation in Benešov and building a new one in Poděbrady. Lidl is also building a new logistics hub in Buštěhrad. In all, the Union for Trade and Tourism estimates that these discount retail chains have invested over CZK 300bn in building their networks over the past 20 years.
