Built in 2013 to house fashion retailer’s H&M’s first street front store in Romania, which was closed in 2018, and then used by a Diverta bookstore, between 2019 and July 2025 when the chain went bankrupt, the space is now home to a Compas bookstore.
Compas has 18 stores throughout Romania, which generate RON36.2 million revenue. Compas started in Satu Mare 19 years ago and is held by Cristina and Alin Farcas. It now operates in Iasi, Sibiu, Zalau, Targu-Mures, Oradea, Cluj-Napoca and Bucharest (one bookstore each), as well as in Brasov (three bookstores), Baia Mare (three) and Satu Mare (four), according to the corporate website. Its headquarters and main warehouse are in Satu Mare, according to the same source.
The store in Bucharest’s Old Town is the 19th of the chain and second in the city, after the one in Park Lake Mall.
Compas sells school, office and arts and crafts supplies, as well as stationery and books.
The leading actors on the bookstore market in Romania include Carturesti, CLB and Librariile Humanitas.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)