The economic crisis has affected Bulgaria in several ways, yet Carrefour has opened its first store in the country just last week. This will be followed by the construction of a new vast logistics centre on the outskirts of Sofia, which started last week as well.

The new spacious facility will be on 78 000 sq m of land, with gross built-up area of 23 000 sq m. The logistics complex, belonging to Penny Market Bulgaria, will be near Stolnik village, Elin Pelin municipality.

Vassil Fechko, the manager of the complex and Stoilnik village mayor Mariana Gesheva turned the first sod on April 12.

"We are exceptionally happy that we have undertaken this step in expanding our chain in Bulgaria. We aim to provide high quality produce at very reasonable prices and we perceive the Bulgarian market as one of great potential for the future," Fechko said, as quoted by Stroitelstvo Gradut.

Mix Construction will be the firm tasked with erecting the vast facility. The complex will be compartmentalised in several different sectors, with large storage hangars, processing units, hydraulic cranes, refrigerator facilities, a business and administrative centre, recycling station, a water supply and water treatment station, solar panel park for energy generation and others.

The cost of the entire facility is likely to exceed 30 million leva and it will create more than 500 permanent jobs in the local community.

Penny Market Bulgaria is part of the REWE concern, based in Cologne, Germany. In Bulgaria, REWE already represents the Billa supermarket chain. Moreover, Penny Market is set to open altogether 10 stores nationwide, with shops under construction in Omurtag, Vratsa, Veliko Turnovo, Nova Zagora, Berkovitsa, Lovech and others.