Although 2025 was an extremely difficult year, with intense state interventionism – especially in North Macedonia – the Vero supermarket chain of Mr. Nikos Veropoulos managed to increase its sales – including in Serbia – and maintain its profitability at high levels.
Mr. Veropoulos tells OT that by the end of 2026 he is going to create a large store in Strumitsa – in the southern part of North Macedonia, just above the prefecture of Serres.
Nikos Veropoulos and state interventionism
Speaking to OT, Mr. Veropoulos explains that last year “was a very difficult year, with intense intervention in supermarket chains, gross profit margins were reduced to 20%, there were price increases and confrontations with suppliers. This was the framework within which we operated in 2025”. Regarding the chain’s performance, Mr. Veropoulos notes that “despite all this, we had very low inflation and traffic to our stores increased by 11%. And he emphasizes that “last year we gained market share in both countries, moreover, both countries, especially North Macedonia, are in a growth phase and opportunities are emerging for us”.
What did the scoreboard show in 2025?
The sales of the Vero SA Holdings group – that is, in North Macedonia and Serbia – increased by 5,7% and amounted, including VAT, to 206 million euros – excluding VAT it approached 183 million euros. It is worth noting that the increase in sales in Serbia was around 8,3% and in North Macedonia at 3,6%. The group's profits were maintained at the levels of 2024, i.e. around 16 million euros. The Greek-owned supermarket chain has 16 stores in North Macedonia and 8 stores in Serbia. He considers the group to be extremely healthy financially, given that it has "strong cash flow, has zero bank borrowing and 80% of its real estate is privately owned.
Investments and new stores in North Macedonia and Serbia
Regarding his investment program, Mr. Veropoulos tells OT that by the end of 2026 he is going to create a large store in Strumitsa – in the southern part of North Macedonia, just above the prefecture of Serres. He has also acquired a “very good plot of land and within 2027, which we have been trying for 2,5 years to obtain the building permit, we succeeded and within 2027 we will create another store”. In Serbia, he bought a store of 4.500 sq m in sales areas and with 120 parking spaces from his competitor and from 2027 it will be converted into Vero. Regarding the prospects for this year, the Greek businessman estimates that the group’s growth will be around 6% – 7% and net sales – will be just before 200 million euros.
