Retailers still tallying storm losses from spoiled food stock
Following a weekend storm that knocked out power to stores across several Latvian regions, including Bauska, major retailers are still assessing the volume of food products written off and total losses. Chains such as Lidl, Maxima, Rimi, Elvi and top! report dozens of closed stores and disposed goods.
A storm that swept Latvia over the weekend, followed by prolonged power outages, disrupted operations at most major food retailers, according to information gathered by the LETA news agency. The Zemgale and Latgale regions were hit hardest, including the town of Bauska, where stores struggled without electricity for an extended period.
A representative of Lidl Latvia said the disruption affected six stores. Generators kept outlets running in Bauska and Jēkabpils, while a store in Sigulda remained closed all day. The company deployed refrigerated trucks to preserve part of its temperature-sensitive stock.
Maxima Latvia had to close 27 stores — about 15% of its network — on Sunday morning, though the situation improved through the afternoon as power was gradually restored. Deliveries were rerouted to a functioning logistics center or to nearby open stores.
Rimi Latvia reported that power cuts affected dozens of stores, with 11 — including one in Bauska — left without electricity for a long stretch. Several dozen tonnes of food had to be written off. The company said it wants to discuss with state institutions how critical infrastructure and the retailers' role in it should be defined going forward.
Elvi Latvia closed 27 stores in central districts, some for the entire Sunday, and said demand for generators exceeded supply. The top! chain saw disruptions at 53 stores, 15 of which were still closed the following morning.
All retailers say they are still calculating exact losses, which will mainly involve frozen and fresh goods such as dairy, meat and fish. Communication outages also complicated card payments and coordination during the crisis.
