HEMA GROWS IN BELGIUM

[BIZ: Amsterdam, April 16]
The Dutch-owned chain of department stores HEMA keeps growing on the Flemish market. In 2008, the group opened a total of 6 new stores in Belgium, and it plans to do the same in 2009.

At the moment, HEMA owns 53 department stores in Flanders and, according to the group, there is still a lot of growth potential in the region. Although 2009 is expected to be a tough year for all businesses, HEMA plans to continue its pace of investment and – depending on the availability of commercially attractive locations – expects to be opening another six shops in Belgium this year.
2008 was another successful year for HEMA: the total international turnover of the group increased by 4 percent. There are no specific results given for the Flemish market, but the HEMA spokesperson said that growth in Flanders was higher than the group’s average. In total, HEMA owns 381 stores in the Netherlands, 65 in Belgium, 3 in Luxembourg and 1 in France. In 2009, they will continue their expansion strategy.

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