Jerónimo Martins plans to expand Hebe chain to Czech Republic and Slovakia

The Portuguese retailer Jerónimo Martins is looking to expand its Polish health, makeup and beauty retail chain Hebe to the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

The CEO of Hebe said in an interview with Lusa that the company is “looking for opportunities” to expand the number of stores in both countries.

“We have two stores in Slovakia, one in Bratislava and one in Presov”, the first opened in November and the second in December, said Sacha Djokic, adding that the business in this market is “growing month-on-month”.

“It is in line with expectations, although it is at the beginning, but every month it is better,” continued the manager. Now, it is a process of market knowledge, “but I am very confident” about Hebe’s business in Slovakia, he added.

“The concept is good and I think we’ve adapted it. We have had a very good experience in Poland. We just need to do our job of really explaining our value proposition and what we are offering our customers,” said Sacha Djokic.

Earlier this month, Jerónimo Martins’ Polish retail chain Biedronka expanded its business to Slovakia while Hebe started selling online in Slovakia in December 2022, with Djokic adding that the performance on this channel was “very good”.

Sales in Czechia are also growing “month-on-month”, as planned, the CEO said, noting that in this market there are “four stores”, three in Prague and one in Ostrava. The first store in Prague opened in December 2023. “I am very confident about the future because in the end the consumer will decide whether we are successful or not. And honestly, based on what I’ve seen so far, I’m very confident,” he said.