Idea Markets Says Suppliers Back It After Macura Arrest
The company, which has more than 6,500 employees, says management met suppliers, but it gave no concrete measures for financial stability.
According to a statement issued on the morning of November 4, suppliers accounting for more than 50% of the total turnover of Idea Markets have confirmed their support and their readiness to help keep the stores supplied. The statement comes two days after the arrest of Davor Macura, the owner of Alta Grupa, whose company Alta Retail took over Idea, Roda and Mercator in October.
What did the company say after meeting its suppliers?
Idea Markets management met with supplier representatives to review current market conditions and agree on joint steps to keep the business stable. The company says the meeting confirmed the full support of key suppliers and their willingness to contribute to uninterrupted supplies for the retail network.
The company says it employs more than 6,500 people and that its responsibility does not stop at running the business:
“Idea Markets, as a company that employs more than 6,500 people, sees its responsibility not only in preserving stable operations, but also in the security of jobs, the protection of the interests of employees and their families, and in preserving the trust of consumers and business partners,” the company’s statement says.
Management adds that, with supplier support, it is taking steps toward financial stability, business continuity and regular supplies to all stores. The statement does not name any concrete measures or figures. Customers, according to the same statement, were told there is no reason to worry about product availability.
Idea Markets also addressed its suppliers and called on other market participants to act responsibly:
“We thank our suppliers for their support, trust, solidarity and responsible partnership,” Idea Markets said in the statement, and the company closed with this message: “Our priority remains unchanged: to be a reliable partner to our consumers, employees and suppliers, to preserve business continuity and to keep contributing responsibly to the stability of the market and the economy of Serbia.”
How did Alta Retail come to own Idea, Roda and Mercator?
Alta Retail, a company within Alta Grupa that was founded this year, bought Idea, Roda and Mercator from Fortenova Group, together with four other affiliated companies. Fortenova confirmed that the transaction closed on October 12, 2026, and that from that date those companies are no longer in its ownership.
Fortenova said earlier that it does not know whether Alta Bank took part in financing the purchase. It also said that, in its assessment, the revocation of the bank’s license does not affect the operations of Fortenova Group.
What happened to Macura and Alta Bank?
The National Bank of Serbia revoked the operating license of Alta Bank, which also belongs to Alta Grupa. Sources disagree on the day: Danas reports that it happened on Friday, while Mondo gives October 31. Bankruptcy proceedings against the bank were opened on November 3.
Macura was arrested on November 2, together with two Alta Bank employees. He is suspected of abuse of office as a responsible person and of taking money out of the bank’s vault, and according to the prosecution the amount is about 45 billion RSD (~384 million EUR). After questioning he denied guilt, and the Belgrade Higher Court ordered him held in custody for up to 30 days. The same measure was ordered for the two bank employees.
Guilt has not been established, and the proceedings are ongoing.
