However, Mercator’s management stressed that the company’s operations are stable and that Agrokor’s insolvency will not have a significant impact on Mercator. Tomislav Čizmić, the new CEO of Mercator, said that cash flow is good and that Mercator has become more independent within its parent group, Agrokor. Still, Mercator’s fate remains uncertain. The company could still be sold off.

Parliament recently passed a law known as “Lex Mercator” which allows the government to hire a crisis manager to take control of the company. Čizmić said he doesn’t know the name of the said crisis manager, but he stressed that he supports the measure: “We support the law if it helps protect Mercator.”

Slovenia’s largest retailer, moreover, said that it will honour all existing commitments to its partners and suppliers. Mercator sources most of its products from Slovenia, and this is not going to change anytime soon, said Čizmić: “It is paramount that we continue to sell even more products made in Slovenia because they give us a competitive edge.”

Simeona Rogelj, Radio Slovenija; translated by D. V.