Paphos-based Papantoniou Supermarkets is preparing to set up shop in the capital’s tough competitive market, aiming to take a piece of the pie from established giants.
Sources told the Financial Mirror, construction work on the supermarket’s latest addition is picking up speed as it enters its final stages.
The family-run supermarket chain is planning to have their Engomi, Nicosia outlet up and running in the upcoming months.
By opening in Nicosia, the out-of-towners want to take a piece of the action. The capital has 40% of the island’s supermarket sales.
Papantoniou supermarket in Nicosia would add to the chain's eight markets already operating out of town in Paphos and Limassol.
Papantoniou Supermarkets operates five supermarkets in Paphos and three stores in Limassol, two of which are express markets.
The new supermarket is situated between Alfa Mega and Lidl, two main competitors in Nicosia's Engomi area.
The site is adjacent to an elementary school where the area is well developed, and the business could draw many clients from nearby communities to fill its 224 car spaces.
But shoppers could come from elsewhere in the city and suburbs to do their grocery shopping, enjoy a coffee at the cafeteria, as well as shop in specialty departments such as the fish market, butchery, deli, and ready-food department.
It is believed that the supermarket chain is betting on its deal with UK supermarket giants Sainsburys to attract customers, especially British expats and Turkish Cypriot consumers who show preference for UK products, as the supermarket is not be far from the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint.
The deal with Sainsburys was announced earlier this year with a range of items from food, beverages, cosmetics, toiletries to pet foods.
Sources said this cooperation is expected to grow over the coming period, as demand for Sainsburys’ products is constantly increasing, with owners planning to increase the variety of goods imported.
Papantoniou is to create a significant number of jobs as they are looking to hire across the board – from cashiers and butchers to managerial staff – for their new supermarket.
