Mervič considers the increased market share, which stands at around 22% according to unofficial estimates, "a major success and encouragement for the future" in light of the difficult conditions.

Spar, which employed some 4,300 people at the end of 2013, earmarked EUR 27m for investment last year, bringing up the number of its stores in Slovenia by two to 90.

Apart from building new stores, the retailer allocated EUR 15m for the expansion of its logistics centre in Ljubljana.

It already opened a new store in Škofja Loka this year, while it will open more stores until the end of 2014, including in Laško.

Touching on the store in Škofja Loka, Mervič expressed fierce criticism of the state's attitude towards investors: "We had been opening the store for an eternity, nowhere have I seen so much red tape. Slovenia is very investment unfriendly, not only to foreigners but to everybody."

Spar, a part of the Austrian subsidiary of the Dutch Spar group, moreover wants to strengthen its cooperation with local food producers and processors. It thus struck a deal with butcher Mesarstvo Žerak and agricultural cooperative KZ Ptuj to provide meat for Spar's needs.

"We want to get Slovenian bred, produced and processed meat that meets our high standards in our stores," Mervič added.