IGA and the Mercury Group Join Forces to Bring the IGA Banner to Russia
Chicago, IL - IGA today announced that it will continue to advance its global presence by expanding into Russia in the fourth quarter of this year. Megapolis Trading Company, the largestFast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) distribution company in Russia and one of the largest in the world, has been approved as an IGA licensed distribution company. Megapolis Trading Company is a division of the Mercury Group of Companies, a Moscow-based holding with businesses concentrated in four main divisions, including distribution and logistics; retail; heavy industry, manufacturing and mining; and property development. Mercury Group President Igor Kesaev and IGA Global Chairman Dr. Thomas Haggai participated in an official signing ceremony on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at The Coca-Cola Company’s headquarters in Atlanta, Ga. USA.
Megapolis Trading Company will be given the right to license independent Russian retailers under the IGA banner, as well as exclusive distribution rights to those retailers. As an IGA licensed distribution partner Megapolis Trading Company will obtain, among other benefits:
* Exclusive distribution rights for IGA Private Brand products
* Access to the IGA Coca-Cola Institute’s state-of-the-art online training resources and certification programs
* The opportunity to build business relations with IGA’s Global Partners, a group of leading manufacturers who devote expertise and resources that enable IGA retailers to differentiate themselves in the market and accelerate store growth
* IGA brand distinction through use of the IGA Red Oval logo
* Guidance through the Five Star Assessment program in the areas of operations, service, branding, marketing and community involvement
Under the terms of the agreement, Megapolis Trading Company is engaging in a five year strategic plan to open IGA stores throughout Russia. Development is currently scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year.
IGA, which is now in 4,400 stores in 44 counties of the world, is a market leader in Australia, Caribbean, China, Indonesia, and Singapore. According to IGA Global Chairman Dr. Thomas Haggai, IGA’s global expansion has been complemented by the addition of Russia to the IGA family. “We are so pleased to have the opportunity to bring IGA to Russia through the Mercury Group and Megapolis Trading Company. Naturally, we agree that this relationship is the way for the emerging middle class in Russia to benefit from a better supermarket experience. We are privileged to work with the Mercury Group and Megapolis Trading Company to bring the IGA independent advantage to the Russian people.”
“We’re pleased with the exceptional results over the past 17 years that the Mercury Group enjoys through our various companies,” Mercury Group President Igor Kesaev said. “This new partnership between Megapolis and IGA provides tremendous synergies and opportunities for both parties for the development of independent retailing in Russia. Megapolis benefits by expanding its product portfolio with IGA brands while maximizing the effectiveness of its established vast distribution network. Moreover, we will gain from IGA’s more than 80 years of knowledge and experience working with independent retailers. Ultimately, Russian consumers will be the real beneficiaries through the consistent availability of a wider variety of world famous brands. We are pleased that IGA has given us the opportunity to bring this philosophy to light with the formation of IGA Russia.”
IGA is the world's largest voluntary supermarket network with aggregate worldwide retail sales of more than $21 billion per year. The Alliance includes nearly 4,000 Hometown Proud Supermarkets worldwide, supported by 36 distribution companies and more than 55 major manufacturers, vendors and suppliers encompassing everything from grocery to equipment items. IGA has operations in 46 of the United States and more than 40 countries, commonwealths and territories on all six inhabited continents.
