1949

Establishment of the "Živila Ljubljana" wholesale company, the predecessor of Poslovni sistem Mercator, d.d.

1953

Mercator, a wholesale commercial company headquartered in Ljubljana, commences its operations.

From 1953 to 1990

Mercator’s development during this period was characterized primarily by connections established with smaller local commercial, industrial, agricultural, catering, and service companies on the basis of interest, whereby all companies retained their legal independence.

1990

Mercator establishes capital ties with its subsidiaries – the beginning of organization into an affiliated group and the establishment of the name Poslovni sistem Mercator.

1993

Start of privatization with an initial public offering of shares, the largest privatization project in Central Europe by volume and value of capital.

1995

Privatization of Poslovni sistem Mercator, d.d., company, the largest Slovenian joint stock company, is completed, with the ownership taken over by national funds and some 63,000 minority shareholders.

1997

AA breakthrough year in company’s business operations, as it became one of the most successful trading companies in the former Yugoslav region. Poslovni sistem Mercator, d.d., had operated with a loss and lacked a real vision up to 1997; in October of that year now, it got a new Management Board, headed by Zoran Janković. Upon assuming its duties, the new Management Board adopted an ambitious strategic development plan aimed at ending the negative orientation the company had taken during the previous years and creating the best trading company in the country, akin to the largest European and global commercial chains.

The 1998 – 2003 period

In this period, the company saw its internal restructuring and carried out the activities required for the integration of Slovenian trade industry in the segment of alimentary and other products. This called for economic and business efficiency, a resolute approach to the market, and an accelerated development of the retail network, supported heavily by marketing activities. Particularly in Slovenia, the processes of forming intensive capital ties and taking over commercial companies got underway. With the establishment of subsidiaries in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia and Montenegro, Mercator also entered foreign markets.

2004

In 2004, Slovenia entered the European Union. In spite of more stringent market conditions, Mercator’s operations were successful; it achieved a record income, increased its market shares across the markets it operated in, and ranked 32nd by income among all companies from the ten new member states. This year also saw the opening of the first Hura! discount store, the first discount store of the Mercator Group.

2005

In 2005, two major events in the Slovenian market had a strong and direct impact on Mercator Group operations: changes to the Trade Act regarding Sunday and holiday store opening hours (stores were now to be closed on Sundays and holidays), and the arrival of a foreign discount chain to the Slovenian market, which additionally increased the level of competition. The ownership structure changed considerably during this year, with the Supervisory Board having been replaced and a new Management Board appointed. The management of the Poslovni sistem Mercator, d.d., company was assumed by a 4-member Management Board headed by Mr. Žiga Debeljak.

2006

With a strategic partnership with the Holding Rodič M&B company put in place in Serbia, Mercator became the second largest merchant in the country, reaching a market share of about 8% for the year.

2007

In the beginning of 2007, the assumption of euro as the national currency was a milestone for Slovenia. Mercator, including its entire retail network, was excellently prepared for the conversion and carried out the transition smoothly. Mercator presented its range of tourist services M Holidays in Slovenia, entered a strategic alliance with the Croatian company Presoflex, and with the company Omega in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mercator signed an agreement on strategic combination with the Montenegrin company Mex market, d.o.o.; as of January 1st 2008, this company was renamed to Mercator-Mex, d.o.o.

2008

Harsh business conditions made 2008 a very challenging year which saw high inflation in the first half of the year and a global financial crisis in the second half. Despite the exacting environment this was the year of record-breaking investment volume for Mercator Group which now operates a total gross sales area of over one million square meters; part of this area is leased to other service providers. In Serbia, Mercator acquired an additional 12-percent ownership share in the company M-Rodić, in Croatia, the Billa trade chain joined the Mercator-Plodine purchasing association, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we entered a strategic partnership with the company Omega, d.o.o, and founded the company M-BL, d.o.o., Banja Luka. Consistently with the strategy of entering the Bulgarian market, we have founded the company Mercator-B, e.o.o.d., Sofia, which was in charge of Mercator's expansion to the Bulgarian market.

2009

Mercator has entered year 2009 as the largest FMCG retail chain in the entire region of Southeast Europe. We opened the first hypermarkets in Albania and Bulgaria, at the end of the year, has signed an agreement on strategic alliances with the company Getro in Croatia. The business in the region was still affected by the consequences of economic crises, but because of its stability Mercator carried out all planned investment and is open to new business opportunities for further growth and development. In 2009, Mercator celebrated its 60th anniversary. Customer satisfaction is confirmed by almost 1,4 million Mercator Pika loyalty card users. Mercator also one of the largest retailers of specialized technical program, clothing and sportswear.