Tashir opens a new Leroy Merlin store in Karelia

On August 30, the French DIY retailer Leroy Merlin opened a new hypermarket in Petrozavodsk. Tashir Group was the construction contractor and developer on the project. Karelia Acting Governor Artur Parfenchikov and other government officials attended the opening ceremony.

“Low prices every day” is the concept that all the Leroy Merlin stores share in Russia.  From now on, the residents of Petrozavodsk and nearby towns in Karelia will also have an opportunity to purchase everything they need for repairs and home improvement for their apartment, summerhouse or garden “under one roof.” Tashir Group was the general contractor and the developer for the new 18,000 sq.m. hypermarket. The trading area of 16,000 sq.m. will feature approximately 33,000 SKUs. The hypermarket has a parking lot for 800 vehicles. The address of the new DIY mall is 49 Lesnoy Prospekt, Petrozavodsk. (The store is located on property owned by Tashir).

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Karelia Acting Governor Artur Parfenchikov  emphasized how important such projects are for increasing the republic’s appeal for investors. “This new center is a very important element for providing the people of Petrozavodsk and Karelia in general with a comfortable environment. Such an investor is very important to us economically, because we are talking about serious investment here. A total of up to 1.5 billion rubles was invested in the development of this infrastructure. The center will contribute to the republic’s tax base. In addition, this project is important from the social viewpoint, because it will create almost 200 new jobs,” he said.

The head of the Petrozavodsk administrative district Irina Miroshnik noted the rapid and qualitative work of the developer: “I would like to thank the contractors. They worked smart and hard and were able to finish the project in a relatively short time”.

The partnership agreement worth over 1 billion rubles was signed back in 2015. Under the agreement, Tashir Group performed all the works from planning to building the hypermarket in Petrozavodsk. Also, Tashir Group and Leroy Merlin have signed another agreement, under which the group will build a 17,000 sq.m. hypermarket in Arkhangelsk Oblast.

Tashir Group Vice President Artak Evoyan congratulated the residents of Petrozavodsk, partners, as well as municipal and regional authorities on the opening of the new store, saying, “Our partnership with the world-famous French retailer Leroy Merlin is an indicator of our efficient performance over the past 15 years. Tashis was the general planner, main contractor and developer on the project. I can say that we have accomplished the task successfully. The hypermarket provides the residents of Petrozavodsk and nearby towns with opportunities for home improvement for their apartments, summerhouses and gardens. In addition, this will create new jobs in the region”.
Leroy Merlin Petrozavodsk store manager Maxim Kukorenko said, “This is our first store in Karelia. We have carefully studied the needs of the people living here, and we are ready to offer high-quality service, convenient shopping and a wide range of affordable products and services. We look forward to seeing you at our store!”

Also, under an agreement with the Petrozavodsk municipal authorities, Tashir Group has built a ski starting facility for the Central Special Olympic Reserve Youth Sports Academy. The facility includes an orientation and skiing base for ages 6 to 18. Tashir Group funded, designed and built the complex with a 5 km track. Addressing the city authorities in his speech, Tashir Group Vice President Artak Evoyan said, “We are happy to make our contribution to the development of Petrozavodsk and, hopefully, this entire region”.