With a store in Trenčín in western Slovakia, the drugstore chain Müller has opened its first location in Slovakia, thereby expanding into its ninth European country. The first store is located in a busy shopping centre and has a sales area of almost 1,500 square metres, the Ulm-based company announced. Together with Oulu in Finland, Trenčín will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Müller presents itself there as a multifunctional brand store with a concept comprising drugstore, perfumery, natural cosmetics, toys, household items and stationery.

Strategic importance

The opening of the store is another major step in the company's European expansion strategy. According to Müller, five further shops in Slovakia with a total of 8,000 square metres of space are already being implemented or in concrete negotiations. Four of the planned locations are to be built in the capital Bratislava and another in Slovakia's oldest city, Nitra. An initial investment volume of 14.7 million euros is planned for the first two years. Müller is aiming for a total of up to 25 locations in the country.

Slovakia plays a key role in Eastern Europe

Goods are supplied to the Slovakian shops via the central logistics centre in Ulm. The Hungarian site in Letenye, from where the distribution to Slovakia takes place, is responsible for the declaration. Slovakia plays a key role for Müller in Eastern Europe and is a bridge to the markets in Austria, Hungary, Slovenia and Croatia. A Müller app is also to be launched for the Slovakian market to mark the company's market entry. "The development of the Slovakian market emphasises the stability and strategic orientation of our company," said company owner Erwin Müller. The chain is currently represented in Europe with more than 950 shops and employs more than 35,000 people.