German discounter Lidl has moved to acquire a number of eastern European Plus stores from fellow retailer Tengelmann Group, according to local media.
A total of 23 Plus outlets in Bulgaria and 96 Plus stores in Romania will be sold to Lidl by Tengelmann, with nearly 3,000 staff to be taken over and managed by the discounter, Bulgarian publication Dnevnik Daily reported.
The move represents Lidl's first foray into Bulgaria, where it does not currently have any operations.
In November 2009, fellow German diversified discount retailer Penny Market opened its first batch of stores in Bulgaria, launching 14 new outlets.
