REWE to break up with joint venture partner for Russia

According to German business magazin Lebensmittel Zeitung, Marta Unternehmensberatung, Rewe Group's expansion partner for its supermarket division in Russia, has gone into Austrian court.

Rewe Group has confirmed that its
"operative business of Rewe Russia is not affected by the
insolvency". Vienna, Austria-based Marta holds 25% of the
Russian joint venture via Marta Holding founded by Russian Oil
oligarche Georgy Trefilov, while the rest is owned by Rewe Group. It
is understood that Rewe has been willing to break away from Marta,
following months of disputes about wholesale chain.

Rewe Group teamed up with Marta in 2004
and is currently running a network of 59 Billa supermarkets in
Russia.