The “Aurora” supermarket chain has invested 13 million hryvnias in strengthening product quality control; the consumer product testing laboratory began operations in Poltava on June 2, according to the company’s press office.
“Our laboratory is about transparent quality control and trust. We want both manufacturers and shoppers to see how the quality of products that end up on Aurora’s shelves is determined. Moreover, anyone can bring a product in for testing—even if it wasn’t purchased in our stores. This helps foster a new culture of consumption based on openness, objectivity, and trust,“ emphasized Natalia Izyumets, Quality Director of the ‘Aurora’ supermarket chain.
The laboratory is located next to the ”Aurora” Support Office in Poltava and has a separate entrance for visitors. Large panoramic windows allow visitors to observe the product testing process in real time.
A distinctive feature of the consumer testing laboratory is its openness to visitors. Anyone can submit a request to have a product tested, specifying the testing criteria themselves. After the tests are conducted, the results can be received via email or discussed with specialists in person.
The lab team consists of six specialists in quality control and product testing. The lab’s specialists work with over 25,000 product SKUs across various categories—from electronics, children’s products, and tableware to cosmetics, household chemicals, and food products. Here, they verify safety, reliability, and compliance with declared specifications and current legislation. The data obtained is shared with suppliers and the chain’s commercial department, enabling the rapid improvement of the product range and enhancement of product quality.
“For example, when inspecting a cleaning product, in addition to weight and volume, we check the consistency—that is, whether there is any separation, whether there is sediment—because cleaning products should not normally contain sediment or lumps. If there is any, that’s not good. We record this, include it in the inspection results, and submit a request to the suppliers,” notes Anna Tokach, an incoming quality control specialist at the “Aurora” chain.
Professional equipment is used for testing, which allows for simulating real-world conditions for product use. Specifically, in the lab, they check product shelf life using a climate chamber, test wooden products for moisture content, USB cables for compliance with the stated power rating, cosmetics for acidity level using a pH meter, and electrical goods for compliance with technical specifications and safety of use.
Special attention is given to high-risk products. For example, products involving open flames are tested in a special combustion chamber equipped in accordance with all fire safety requirements.
The opening of the consumer testing laboratory is part of Aurora’s long-term strategy to raise quality standards and promote responsible consumption.
“Aurora” was founded in 2011 by Lev Zhydenko, Taras Panasenko, and Lesya Klymenko. As of the end of 2025, the chain has over 1,800 stores in Ukraine and more than 60 in Romania. The retail chain’s headquarters are located in Poltava.
According to Opendatabot, the owner of Vygidna Pokupka LLC, which operates the chain, is the Cypriot company “Aurorail Investments Limited”; its beneficial owner is Lev Zhydenko, and among the owners are funds managed by Horizon Capital.
