Czech company Pikito, which operates a growing network of shared retail stores for e-tailers, entered the Romanian market with a first unit in Bucharest. The store was inaugurated in Lemon Retail Park this week.

Pikito says it simplifies the process by which online stores can obtain the facilities of brick-and-mortar stores, providing them with a space to sell their products. This place is shared with other e-retailers in the market, which are not, however, direct competitors.

A sales unit covering between 500-1,000 sqm can contain up to 12 retailers. They would have a common background, service area, fitting rooms and staff.

The first such shared store was opened in Prague in August 2022.

The commercial space in Bucharest can host up to 14 e-tailers. Currently, collaborations with retailers such as Made In Japan, Kulina, Nedeto, and Parfimo have already been completed - with others set to join, Pikito said.

“Romania is a key market for virtual stores expanding in Central and Eastern Europe, where the potential is given not only by the size but also by the relatively small competition. Localization is also important for success in the Romanian market through local addresses, phone numbers or customer support,” said Marcel Vargaestok, owner of Pikito.

“Ideally, the e-shop should also have some form of concrete presence in the country - according to surveys, up to 40% of online users in Romania do not trust a virtual store if there is not a physical store at the same time or a branch,” he added.

Pikito is owned by Kulina Group, a company specialized in the sale of home and lifestyle products. Kulina Group was founded in 2009, is active in five European countries (Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Poland, and Romania), has a market value of around EUR 15 billion, and brings together 70 brands.

irina.marica@romania-insider.com

(Photo source: the company)