The retailer is part of the bankruptcy estate of the hardware group Merkur, whose administrator Simona Goriup told the STA on Monday that she was unable to disclose the bidders before the bidding process is concluded.

The deadline for binding bids expires on 30 March. Before that, those who have submitted indicative bids will have the chance to carry out due diligence.

The news portal Siol cited unofficial sources in reporting that the bidders were at least four. It also reported that a new appraisal valued Big Bang at EUR 15m, but that some of the bidders were only prepared to pay a little over EUR 10m.

Siol reports that the most serious bidder is Samir Mane, the richest Albanian, who owns Balfin Group. He acquired wealth through imports of consumer electronics to build what is now Albania's largest network of technical hardware and technology shops, which has also expanded to neighbouring countries.

The other bidders named by the portal are Trigal, the company founded by insurer Zavarovalnica Triglav and German form KGAL, Adriarest, which owns restaurant and catering company Slorest, and Darko Klarič, a businessman who owns advertising company Media Publikum and coach operator Adventura.

Big Bang is Slovenia's leading retailer of consumer electronics, household appliances and mobile gadgets. It operates 18 retail shops as well as an online store and is also involved in wholesale.

Employing 374 people, Big Bang is reported to have generated EUR 4m in gross operating profit on EUR 128.6m in sales revenue last year.