Idea Supermarkets: Suppliers Step In as First Debt Claims Hit the Chain

Idea, the supermarket chain with more than 300 stores and about 7,700 employees in Serbia, is facing the first enforcement proceedings over unpaid bills, Forbes Srbija reported on Monday, 9 November, in a story carried by Beta and Danas. The claims come less than a month after the chain changed hands and days after its new owner, Davor Macura, was taken into custody following the collapse of his Alta banka.

What the creditors are claiming

According to Forbes Srbija, several enforcement cases based on promissory notes were filed against the company last week. One civil claim is for 45.9 million dinars, roughly 392,000 euros, and a confectionery maker is seeking 1.07 million euros. The National Bank of Serbia's register shows dozens of notes issued by Idea as payment guarantees, most of them blank, which means they can be activated depending on the terms of each contract.

At a meeting with the company, suppliers reportedly agreed not to present their notes and to name a representative who would oversee supplier payments together with management. One large supplier is said to have withdrawn notes it had already lodged. Idea did not confirm or deny the arrangement, saying only that it keeps working with partners to protect operational stability.

Idea's finances and ownership

Forbes cites last year's figures: revenue of about 790 million euros, a loss of around 4 billion dinars and short-term liabilities of 26.6 billion dinars, of which 17.2 billion was owed to domestic suppliers. Fortenova Group, the previous owner, says the sale to Alta Retail was completed on 12 October 2026 and that Idea and four related companies in Serbia are no longer part of the group. AIK Banka said it did not guarantee the purchase price and will not renew a rent guarantee for Idea that expires in December.

Lawyers quoted by Forbes said it would be hard for Macura to negotiate a sale while in detention. A supplier source described the durability of the current deal as highly uncertain and said a sale to an established, possibly foreign, retailer might be the best outcome.

Student movement calls for urgent measures

The student movement, whose Student List won the 25 October election, said on Instagram that the new government should present measures to stabilise Idea as soon as it is formed, protecting staff and suppliers. It put supplier debts at more than 180 million euros and Idea's market share above 15%, and called for scrutiny of how the chain was acquired and financed. Establishing responsibility, it said, must not come at the expense of workers, suppliers and citizens.