Okey-Dokey Supermarkets is scheduled to open its first of a planned chain of retail grocery stores this coming September 1 in Miami, Florida, according to Supermarket News (SN). This store would mark the U.S. debut of the Russian retailer behind Europe’s X-5 Retail Group.
A spokesman for Agro-Trade International told SN that the group planned to open between eight and 12 small discount food stores this year, followed by 50 stores a year beginning in 2013. Agro-Trade is headed by Andrey Rogachyov, the Russian billionaire behind X-5’s Pyaterochka discount chain and the Karusel chain of hypermarkets. Both X-5 and Agro-Trade are supported by a Netherlands-based private equity concern. Agro-Trade said the U.S. rollout represents a $500 million investment.
Roy Sartin, director of people development for Agro-Trade, said the company would reveal specific locations later this summer but said the first stores would open in metro Miami, Opa-Locka, and North Miami Beach. “In addition, we will also operate multiple stores in Broward County in areas such as Tamarac, Plantation, and Lauderhill,” Sartin added.
Okey-Dokey stores will be no larger than 7,500 square feet and offer approximately 3,500 SKUs. Stores will be driven by an “every day low price” strategy. The product mix will include fresh produce; prepackage fish, meats and poultry, and dry groceries including beer, wine, and liquor. Stores will stock a mix of national and private brands, with plans to eventually sell 50 percent private labels.
“The Greater Miami-Ft. Lauderdale metropolis with the thrifty shopper, the population of 18 million and almost non-existent discounter competition provides for a large scale and profitable testing ground for the the nationwide rollout,” the company said.
