Drugstore operator dm has expressed an interest in acquiring 60 to 80 Ihr Platz stores from Schlecker, after a potential deal between Schlecker and investor Dubag broke down.

Chief executive Erich Harsch said that the stores could be taken over and converted into dm’s store layout. Dm is currently on an expansion drive and plans to open 100 new stores and renovate 30 more by the end of fiscal 2012. Harsch said that the retailer will invest more than E100m (£83.5m) in expansion and regeneration during the year as it prioritises a refresh of existing shops. The retailer is benefiting from the demise of Schlecker and reported record sales growth of 15% in May.

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