Russian discount chain Mere is leaving Czechia, stores to be rebranded

Russian discount chain Mere is ending its operations in Czechia, where it runs 12 stores. But the announcement may bring a change of name and operator rather than the disappearance of its shops.

According to reports published Friday by Page Not Found and Odkryto.cz, stores could continue under the name Zboží z palet, roughly translated as “Goods from Pallets.”

The prospective operator is Šetro Retail, a company owned by businessman Igor Cherednyk that has supplied goods to the chain. The reports come after EU sanctions against members of the family behind Mere and the freezing of ownership stakes in its Czech operating company.

Mere announced the end of its activities on individual stores’ social media profiles but did not provide a specific date.

There are already signs of the proposed new branding. Facebook pages for planned branches in Karviná and Hradec Králové, which had not yet opened, have been renamed Zboží z palet.

According to the two investigative outlets, Šetro Retail has signed agreements to operate 11 stores. They reported that much of the wording in those documents matched contracts used by Mere’s current Czech operator, Torgretail CZ.

That suggests substantial continuity could follow the chain’s departure, although the reports do not establish a confirmed timetable for the transition or the future of every existing branch.

One store manager told iDNES.cz that the changes should not significantly affect employees.

“I know about a change in management, but we will continue operating. The employees are fine. I cannot say anything more,” she said.

Her comments concern that store’s situation rather than a formal guarantee covering the entire chain.

Mere entered the Czech market in 2021. It is backed by the Russian Torgservis/Svetofor group associated with brothers Sergei and Andrei Schneider.

Both brothers are subject to EU sanctions. Czechia’s Financial Analytical Office subsequently froze ownership stakes held by Andrei and Anna Schneider in Torgretail CZ.

EU authorities say the Schneider family’s businesses significantly support Russia’s domestic economy. Mere has gradually withdrawn from other European countries amid sanctions.