# Romania and Moldova retail and school season expansion > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/retail-expansion-in-romania > Updated: 2026-08-31T07:34:25.000Z. Sources: 76. Developments: 16. As the new academic year commences, student support initiatives continue to expand across Romania and Moldova. In Moldova, political debate has emerged regarding financial aid. Opposition deputies from the Socialist Party proposed a 1,000 lei aid package for students in grades I–IX, a move estimated to cost 340 million lei. While proponents suggest this would reduce material barriers to education, government representatives have labeled the proposal as “populist.” Additionally, the Ministry of Education and Research announced a merit scholarship program for 120 Roma students, providing 1,200 lei monthly. In Romania, local and community-led support remains diverse. Cluj-Napoca is preparing to issue vouchers of up to 700 lei for students to use toward sports and cultural activities. In Berchișești, the ‘EDU ACCES’ project is set to distribute fully equipped backpacks to selected children. To address social isolation and excessive screen time, the ‘Ajungem MARI’ association is recruiting volunteers to act as role models for institutionalized children in regions including Bistrița-Năsăud and Vrancea. Safety and religious traditions also mark the season, with the Orthodox Church in Moldova offering blessings for the academic year and emergency services in Orhei issuing safety guidelines for schools. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-31: Moldova and Romania launch various student support initiatives for the new school year As the new school year commences in Moldova and Romania, initiatives range from proposed student financial aid and merit scholarships to local cultural vouchers and volunteer programs for institutionalized kids 50 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romania-retail-sector-sees-surge-in-back-to-school-shopping ### 2026-08-31: Retailers expand presence across Romania with multiple new store openings Romania experiences a wave of retail expansion as MR. DIY, Action, Made by Society, and NORMAL open new locations, alongside Călin Georgescu's initiative to promote local producers. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mr-diy-celebrates-new-colosseum-mall-store-opening-in-bucharest ### 2026-08-28: Kaufland Romania announces 30% discount on school supplies Kaufland Romania is offering a 30% discount on school supplies and stationery from September 2–8, 2026, while continuing its educational support program for children in the Danube Delta. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaufland-romania-announces-30-discount-on-school-supplies ### 2026-08-25: Retailers launch Back to School promotions in Romania Romanian retailers including eMAG, evoMAG, and IT Galaxy have launched Back to School promotions, offering significant discounts on electronics, school supplies, and gadgets. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/retailers-launch-back-to-school-promotions-in-romania ### 2026-08-21: Kaufland and Lidl announce new retail promotions in Romania Retailers Kaufland and Lidl are offering various grocery and household discounts in Romania, with Kaufland launching a new catalog for late August and Lidl running SuperWeekend promotions. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kaufland-and-lidl-announce-new-retail-promotions-in-romania ### 2026-08-16: Lidl Romania announces new product catalogs and SuperWeekend discounts Lidl Romania is launching new promotional catalogs and a ‘SuperWeekend’ event featuring discounts of up to 42% on groceries, household items, and Parkside DIY tools. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-romania-announces-new-product-catalogs-and-superweekend-discounts ### 2026-08-10: Lidl and Kaufland launch school supply promotions in Romania Lidl and Kaufland have launched ‘Back to School’ campaigns in Romania, offering discounts on stationery, backpacks, and supplies, while Kaufland supports vulnerable communities via the StartEDU 5.0 program. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-and-kaufland-launch-school-supply-promotions-in-romania ### 2026-07-29: Lidl Romania keeps 2025 prices on 360+ staple items Lidl Romania will keep 2025 prices for over 360 staple items, with many products under 5‑10 lei, citing stability and value, per Chief Customer Officer Sabin Fane. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-romania-keeps-2025-prices-on-360-staple-items ### 2026-07-27: Romanian retailers Lidl, eMAG and Decathlon roll out summer discount campaigns Lidl Costești, eMAG and Decathlon launch summer sales in Romania, offering up to 35% off goods, large price cuts on electronics and camping gear, plus Lidl Plus vouchers until mid‑August. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanian-retailers-lidl-emag-and-decathlon-roll-out-summer-discount-campaigns ### 2026-07-16: Romanian airports move forward with Suceava terminal expansion and Timișoara runway repairs Romania advances airport upgrades: Suceava’s new 11,000 m² terminal moves toward bidding after legal hurdles, while Timișoara will close its runway for repairs from 2‑22 Nov 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanian-airports-move-forward-with-suceava-terminal-expansion-and-timioara-runway-repairs ### 2026-07-13: Romania's retail sector expands with new BIPA and Primark stores BIPA opens a new drugstore in Bucharest’s Berceni district while Primark launches a large store in Sibiu, adding jobs and signaling further retail expansion in Romania. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanias-retail-sector-expands-with-new-bipa-and-primark-stores ### 2026-07-08: Lidl and eMAG roll out summer sales in Romania Lidl offers a 99.99‑lei Parkside electric drill in limited stock, while eMAG's Stock Busters campaign discounts electronics and the Huawei Watch GT 5 to about 504 lei across Romania. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lidl-and-emag-roll-out-summer-sales-in-romania ### 2026-07-01: Iulius malls in Romania launch Summer Sale with up to 70% discounts Iulius malls in Romania began a Summer Sale, offering up to 70% off on clothing, shoes, beauty and home goods at brands such as Zara, Mango and Adidas. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iulius-malls-in-romania-launch-summer-sale-with-up-to-70-discounts ### 2026-06-29: Iași airport upgrades and Palas mall revamp aim to boost regional hub Iași airport will redesign terminal T3 for departures and turn T2 into cargo, while Palas mall’s remodel adds 40 new retailers—including a two‑level Primark—and expands leisure spaces, boosting the city’s hub. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/iai-airport-upgrades-and-palas-mall-revamp-aim-to-boost-regional-hub ### 2026-06-17: Romanian malls add Primark, Peek & Cloppenburg and upgrade Iulius Iaşi Romanian malls Sun Plaza and Iulius Iaşi announce major upgrades, adding Primark, Peek & Cloppenburg and new affordable brands, with a €9 million investment for Iulius and plans for an Auchan store after the 5‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/romanian-malls-add-primark-peek-cloppenburg-and-upgrade-iulius-iai ### 2026-06-09: Primark invests €10 million in new Craiova store as lululemon opens first Romanian shop in Bucharest Primark spent €10 million on a new Craiova store, creating 100 jobs and aiming to double its Romanian outlets by 2027, while lululemon opened its first Romanian shop in Bucharest’s Băneasa Shopping City. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/primark-invests-10-million-in-new-craiova-store-as-lululemon-opens-first-romanian-shop-in-bucharest --- Cite as: Romania and Moldova retail and school season expansion. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/retail-expansion-in-romania