OREANDA-NEWS. April 08, 2010. Lenta recorded sales of 55.6bln rubles (USD 1.8bln) excluding VAT during calendar year 2009, up 9% in ruble terms from 2008 figures

Growth has also started to speed up during the first quarter of 2010 as renewed consumer confidence in Russia’s regions grows. Like-for-like sales during Q1 came in at 17.8% overall with sales in the regions of Siberia , Urals and the South exceeding expectations by 20%.

“We’re witnessing a renewal of confidence throughout the Russian regions in Lenta,” noted Jan Dunning, General Director of Lenta LLC. “The first quarter proves to us that the changes we’re implementing in the firm together with our new management team are working and encouraging our loyal customers and new customers to turn to Lenta for their shopping needs.”

Sales of cosmetics and beverages topped the list of products that Lenta customers purchased over the January to March period. The numerous national holidays throughout the country brought consumers out in droves increasing sales in these two areas by over 40%.