“Everyone is optimistic in our industry. People are no longer going on vacation, so the money goes somewhere else. There is also money left from fashion spending, even though online sales are up, overall, I don’t think that industry is in the black,” says Dragos Sirbu, CEO of the computer and electronics retailer Flanco, the second largest actor on its market.
“The money is therefore used in the home, which is an advantage for us, computer and electronics retailers and furniture retailers. Even the automotive sector may be in the black, but we are the main beneficiaries, particularly because this time of the year is not construction season.”
People used to buy the cheapest products they found during the previous crisis, they used to look for private labels. Now they do the opposite.
“We are too poor to buy cheap, so people are looking at the medium or upper range (…).”
The computer and electronics industry was among the worst hit during the previous crisis, dropping by 50% between 2008 and 2010, while the Flanco CEO expects growth now. As we move forward, people will pay more and more attention to the quality of life and this is where the computer and electronics will help.
“This is the trend now. Unless an economic crisis follows, but if things are going back to normal, the trend will continue.”
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)