After just a few months on the Slovak market, Russian discount chain Mere unexpectedly closed all three of its stores in the country on July 30.
Announcements citing “technical reasons” were posted on the social media pages of the stores in Banska Bystrica, Prievidza and Nove Zamky, as well as on notices displayed at the stores themselves. The chain did not specify when it might reopen, nor did it explain what the “technical reasons” actually were.
It remains unclear whether the closures are the result of a short-term operational issue or a broader problem related to the chain’s Russian owners. Mere is part of a group linked to the Russian discount retailer Svetofor, based in Krasnoyarsk.
The move comes shortly after all Mere stores in Latvia also closed. Latvian broadcaster LSM reported that one of the company’s owners, Russian businessman Sergey Shnayder, was added to the European Union’s sanctions list on July 23.
It is therefore possible that the closure of the Slovak stores is connected to the sanctions imposed on Shnayder. However, the chain has not announced that it is leaving the Slovak market.
Mere opened its first Slovak store in Banska Bystrica in the final quarter of 2025. It later expanded with branches in Prievidza and Nove Zamky.
Retail analyst Lubomir Drahovsky had previously warned that Mere could face several challenges on the Slovak market.
“If the assortment is not significantly better than the standard in Russia, Slovak customers will think twice before shopping there,” he said, noting that consumers in Slovakia had become accustomed to the standards offered by retailers such as Lidl, Tesco and Kaufland.
“Retailers offering lower-quality food, poorer service and less care for customers in the discount segment will ultimately pay the price,” Drahovsky concluded.
The sudden closures come at a time when the retailer had been planning further expansion. The company was recruiting staff to identify new premises, negotiate lease agreements and coordinate the opening of additional stores. Job advertisements covered positions in the Zilina, Trencin, Nitra and Presov regions, with knowledge of Russian listed among the requirements for some roles.
The Slovak stores are operated by ChainStores SK. Last year, the company reported revenues of EUR 893,531 but posted a loss of EUR 393,121.
Mere operates a markedly different business model from conventional supermarkets. Its stores have a no-frills layout, with much of the merchandise sold directly from pallets or cardboard boxes. The chain cuts costs by minimising spending on store design, marketing, equipment and additional services. Its stores also lack self-service checkouts and many of the customer conveniences common in major retail chains.
The stores did not sell Russian products. Instead, their assortment consisted mainly of goods from Poland, Estonia, Hungary and Serbia, alongside a limited selection of Slovak products. (The Slovak Spectator)