Marks 17th Anniversary with 17 Colts
Orphanides Supermarkets, the retailing giant of Cyprus is marking its 17th Anniversary celebrations with the distribution of 17 Mitsubishi Colts, promising more expansions and a better service to its customers.
Chairman and CEO Christos Orphanides who on March 17 celebrated his own birthday said the group is ready to embark on a three-year expansion drive, which includes store-openings, details of which will be announced once the Board gives its approval to the plan.
The island’s largest retailing group, with 10 super-stores scattered across the island and employing some 1100 persons, racked up a spectacular performance in 2004 and is on track to repeat the same performance this year on the back of better operations, cost controls and the launch of private labelling goods and own imports.
The Group has two stores in Larnaca, three stores in Limassol, two stores in Paphos, one each in Ormedia, Paralimni and Nicosia. The Nicosia store and one of the stores in Limassol are shopping malls. Orphanides first listed on the CSE in 1998 and is currently grouped in the Main Market.
In addition to constructing its own super-stores, the Orphanides Group has been active in acquiring other companies, as part of its expansion drive into other areas. Previously, it acquired the Philips and Antonescou stores in Paphos, the Vavatsiniotis and Discount Store in Limassol, the Klitos supermarket in Larnaca and SPE Ormedias and Omega in Paralimni.
According to Chairman Orphanides, part of the success of his superstores in offering customers lower prices is the prudent decision to sell private label goods.
“We currently offer 250 products under our own private label at very affordable prices,” said Orphanides. The Group is also a major importer, and expects that this year its own exclusive imports will reach CYP 7 mln.
The Group has also been certified for the implementation of food hygienic and safety systems HACCP in all sectors.
Orphanides said that in cooperation with Fairways, agents of Mitsubishi Colt and Laiki Bank, his group is offering 17 European Colts until the end of the year. The first draw will be held in mid-April. Customers who purchase goods using any of their Laiki cards will be eligible for double entry into the weekly draw.
