German retailer Kaufland prepares to enter Serbian market - media

Kaufland, owned by Germany's third-richest person, Dieter Schwarz, is in the process of setting up a regional subsidiary in Serbia as a step towards its expansion to the country, industry newsletter Lebensmittel Zeitung reported last week, without disclosing its sources.

Kaufland officials declined comment when contacted by Lebensmittel Zeitung.

 Elsewhere in Southeast Europe, Kaufland has operations in Romania, Bulgaria, and Croatia. 

Last month Serbian trade minister Rasim Ljajic said Lidl, another discounter owned by Schwarz, is expected to start the construction of its first supermarkets in Serbia in the second half of 2014. Lidl should secure locations by June in at least 15 towns which is a prerequisite for the launch of its operations in the country, Ljajic added.