Expanding the network with such partnerships is part of Profi’s development strategy, that in the next few years all stores will become partner managed.
“After a slow and challenging start, when we were testing the concept and potential partners were wondering how to understand the partnership, different from the franchise system, we learned how to adapt it to the existing conditions to achieve optimal results,” said Magda Amarie, operational director with Profi’s Partner Department.
At the end of last year Profi had more than 1,550 small stores.
Profi retail chain, held by buy-out investor Mid Europa Partners, posted RON9.5 billion sales last year, 7.8% higher than in 2020. The stayed in the red, with a loss of RON130 million, slightly higher than in 2020.
The retailer that owns supermarkets and convenience stores continued to expand, but at a slower pace, and opened more than 170 new stores last year and remodeled about 75 others.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)