The VARUS supermarket chain has officially announced the acquisition of the KOLO store chain, one of the largest Ukrainian operators in the convenience retail segment. The final signing of the deal took place on August 4

05.08.2026

Following the completion of the transaction, the combined chain will boast 374 stores, with the total headcount exceeding 9,000 employees. The acquisition of KOLO will strengthen VARUS's presence in the convenience store format and mark a key milestone in delivering the company's long-term growth strategy.

Over its years of operation, KOLO has built a strong and recognizable brand and amassed deep expertise in the convenience store segment. Operating in the Ukrainian market since 2017, the chain currently runs 254 stores across Kyiv, Kyiv Region, Odesa, and Odesa Region. Today, KOLO stores serve over 70,000 customers daily, powered by a team of more than 1,100 employees.

The convenience store format remains one of the most promising growth avenues in grocery retail. Consumers are increasingly opting for small neighborhood stores close to home or work to quickly pick up groceries, ready-to-eat meals, and daily essentials. Acquiring KOLO allows VARUS to scale its footprint in this specific segment and complement its existing store formats.

"The acquisition of KOLO is a logical continuation of our expansion strategy and an opportunity to bring together the market's best practices under one roof. The KOLO team has built unique expertise in the convenience segment, which we aim to amplify using VARUS’s extensive resources in procurement, marketing, and IT. Together, we are building a multi-format retail network that will be even more agile, robust, and valuable for our shoppers," stated Oleksandr Bulhakov, Commercial Director of the VARUS supermarket chain.

"Over our 9-plus years in business, KOLO has succeeded in building a strong brand trusted by customers, a professional team, and an effective growth model for convenience stores. Today, we are one of the leading operators in the convenience segment, generating nearly UAH 4 billion in annual turnover. We are confident that joining forces with VARUS opens a new chapter for our network. Combining experience, expertise, and a shared vision for modern Ukrainian retail will allow us to preserve KOLO's best developments, scale them, and offer shoppers even more opportunities, high-quality service, and modern solutions," noted Denys Zdorenko, CEO of the KOLO chain.

As part of further integration, the company plans to blend the best practices of both networks. Key areas of focus include optimizing logistics and procurement, expanding product range, enhancing digital services and loyalty programs, and deploying technological solutions that make everyday shopping faster and more convenient.

At this stage, day-to-day operations continue seamlessly as usual, with both companies prioritizing their people. The chains aim to bring together the rich expertise, knowledge, and experience of professionals from both organizations to build an even higher-quality retail offering together.

For customers, the integration will unlock access to a broader product selection, new services, digital tools, special offers, and loyalty programs. Changes will be rolled out gradually to ensure continuous store operations and make the transition comfortable for customers and staff alike.

VARUS has been operating in the Ukrainian market since 2003, developing multiple grocery retail formats, an e-commerce direction, private labels, and digital services. The acquisition of KOLO expands the company’s footprint in the convenience segment, creating a large-scale, multi-format retail network.

The subsequent integration of KOLO will proceed in full compliance with current regulatory requirements, with a steady focus on business continuity. The company will keep employees, partners, and customers informed about key merger milestones.

Reference Information

VARUS is a national supermarket chain operated in the Ukrainian grocery retail market by Omega LLC. The chain opened its first store in 2003 in Dnipro and currently operates 120 supermarkets across various Ukrainian cities. The network functions across several formats, including classic supermarkets, "To Go" stores, and the VARUS.UA conscious shopping service.

KOLO is a Ukrainian convenience store chain operated by Aretail LLC. Founded on February 7, 2017, the company was part of Hennadiy Butkevych's investment group BGV Group Management at the time of the transaction. The chain encompasses 254 stores with a total retail space exceeding 17,000 sq. m, located in Kyiv, Kyiv Region, Odesa, and Odesa Region. Employing over 1,100 people, the chain's stores serve more than 70,000 customers daily. KOLO ranks among the leading convenience store operators in the Ukrainian market.