“I’ve closed down the last three Bata stores left in Romania. I operated in a franchise system and came to grow out of sync with consumers,” says the businessman.
At the best moment, there were 12 stores under this brand locally, with their number growing gradually starting 2013-2014. Then, the pandemic completely shattered the business. “Malls made me pay a rent even during the lockdown. It’s not worth the sacrifice if you are not supported by the franchiser”.
Thus, at present, Eugen Paturan has only AW Lab brand left in his portfolio, operated under the same system.
(English version by Catalina Apostoiu)