Wemson
| File:Wemson.png | |
| Public limited company | |
| Traded as | VVE:WEM |
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Headquarters | , |
Area served | International |
Key people | Alfrig Johansen (Chairman) Debora Terhuis (CEO) |
| Revenue | µ19.2 billion |
| µ920 million | |
Number of employees | 143,000 |
Wemson AK (pronounced /wemzən/) is a major Vyvlander supermarket chain. Founded in 1918 as a grocery store by Max Wemson, the company has expanded over the whole island to become the country's largest food retailer, with a market share of 37% and 1180 locations across the country. The chain is mid-market and offers a range of own-brand goods varing from basic quality (its Ynvoyd range) to upmarket (branded as Mx. Wemson). It is headquartered in Brubas, the location of the company's first shop.
History
The company was founded as a small convenience store at 28 Funjreweg, just outside the ancient city walls of Brubas. The founder was Max Wemson, from the local Wemson merchant family, whose modest inheritance let him expand the successful shops across the city and in local towns, such as Sdeyni and Wejros. By the Vyvlander Civil War, Wemson supermarkets were common throughout much of the northeast of the country, being a pioneer in the development of convenience stores in Vyvland.
After Vyvlander reunification, Wemson was quick to break into untouched markets across the former South, having increased in size by 150% by 1990. In these areas, it mainly competes with established Luziycan chain Karshev. Leaked rumours in 2015 suggested the company was considering opening shops abroad due to its market saturation within Vyvland.
Operations
Wemson operates 1090 locations across Vyvland, mostly at mid- and small-sized stores on the edges of towns and in major cities. The company's development is hindered by the strict restrictions on the opening of supermarkets in many Vyvlander towns, but nevertheless it is the country's largest retailer. Particular geographic strengths for Wemson include in the northeast, east and south of the country.