X5 Group announced the implementation of agreements with LLC Restructuring Centre to open Pyaterochka stores in the retail spaces formerly occupied by the Grozd food retail chain. As part of the deal, Pyaterochka has acquired long leases of more than 100 Grozd stores in Saratov and the Saratov Region. The agreement covers a total of almost 37,000 square metres of selling space, including 70 Grozd stores in Saratov, 14 in Engels, and another 11 stores in major district centres of the Saratov Region.

All stores will be refurbished in line with Pyaterochka's new store concept, which emphasises the chain's core values: low prices, fresh and high-quality products, customer comfort and a pleasant shopping experience. The revamped Pyaterochka stores feature a more ergonomic layout of the sales floor, specific colour schemes in the floor design, and customer-friendly navigation that helps shoppers to easily find their way around the store and quickly spot the aisles that are dedicated to special deals. In addition, given the increasing popularity of ready-to-eat meals, the remodelled stores will feature in-store café corners with their own bakeries that offer a wider assortment of ready-made meals, as well as coffee machines where store space allows.

The integration of the former Grozd stores into the Pyaterochka chain is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2024. As of today, X5's footprint in Saratov and the Saratov Region includes 385 Pyaterochka stores, 7 Perekrestok supermarkets and 26 Chizhik hard discounters.