The sales enabled it to overtake cel.ro, run by Corsar Online, and become the number two online computer and electronics retailer in the country, according to Finance Ministry data.
Following the deal the parties announced in 2016 and the competition watchdog greenlighted in 2017, the PC Garage brand and team continued to develop separately, and Traian Cristea remained chief executive. eMAG, held by the Naspers group and by Iulian Stanciu, bought PC Garage from entrepreneur Marius Ghenea.
PC Garage is mostly known as an important retailer of PC parts, gaming systems and for its purchase advice and other services. Its net profit rose 181% to RON2.3 million in 2017, so the profit margin stood at 1%. Total debt amounted to RON25.6 million at the end of 2017, up 26% over 2016.
PC Garage, a business Gabriel Vasile started in 2005 was acquired by entrepreneur Marius Ghenea in the fall of 2009, a really difficult year for the local market, when sales were down to about half of the 2008 level. Ghenea paid RON1 million (EUR235,000) for PC Garage, according to the Official Gazette. He then consolidated all his online computer and electronics retail operations into PC Garage, and the business has since seen significant growth.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)