More than 1,900 stores: The “Aurora” chain continues to expand in Ukraine
18 June 16:02
COMPANY NEWS
The “Aurora” multi-market chain continues to expand and open new stores. In the first five months of 2026, Aurora opened 109 retail locations. As of today, the chain already has more than 1,900 stores in Ukraine.
On June 8, 2026, the 1,900th Aurora store opened in Stryi, Lviv Oblast. It is located on the second floor of a shopping center, with a total area of 297 m² and a sales area of 257 m². The new store is a “Maxi” format location. “Maxi” stores differ from regular stores in that they have a larger floor area and a wider product range.
The “Aurora” chain is among the top three leaders in the retail sector and is one of Ukraine’s largest taxpayers. In 2025, “Aurora” paid 8.6 billion UAH in taxes and fees to budgets at all levels, of which 931.3 million UAH was personal income tax. In the first quarter of 2026, the chain paid 2.5 billion UAH in taxes, which is 19.4% more than in the first quarter of 2025.
“For us, ‘Aurora’ has long since become more than just a business and a set of numbers. It represents jobs and a pillar of support for communities. We also constantly invest in Ukrainian manufacturers: we provide them with a shoulder to lean on, which enables them to scale up and reach European standards, ” notes Taras Panasenko, co-founder of the “Aurora” multi-market chain.
Despite the challenges of a full-scale war, “Aurora” continues to operate in frontline regions and is even opening new stores. In early May 2026, one of the chain’s largest stores opened in Sumy. It has a total area of 1,407 m², of which 853 m² is dedicated to the sales floor. In towns near the front lines, the chain’s stores remain one of the few places where people can buy basic everyday goods, withdraw cash at the register, or easily pay with a bank card.
By opening new stores, developing regional infrastructure, and supporting Ukrainian manufacturers, the Aurora chain is consistently implementing its long-term development strategy. The company views scaling up as a tool for strengthening the economy, creating new opportunities for communities, and ensuring the availability of goods and services for millions of Ukrainians. Every new Aurora store means new jobs, additional tax revenue for local budgets, and infrastructure development in communities.
Background Information
“Aurora” is a group of companies backed by direct foreign investment from Horizon Capital. The company is growing rapidly, with over 1,900 Aurora stores across Ukraine and more than 60 Aurora stores in Romania.
