Studenac – the first domestic retail chain with over 1000 stores across Croatia

From a leader on the Adriatic to one of the leading retail chains in Croatia with over 1000 stores, Studenac has nearly tripled its sales network in the last three years and is now present in almost all counties across Croatia and in Zagreb. The key point of strategic turnaround for Studenac was the year 2018, since when the company has been growing strongly both organically and through acquisitions, developing and ultimately reaching the top of the domestic economy, and today it is part of the prestigious list of the 50 most successful domestic companies. Additionally, thanks to the specifics of small formats and a developed proximity concept, Studenac’s position is unique in the market, and it continues to be characterized by a recognizable neighborly character.

Expansion of the network

Studenac has continued to grow strongly in the current year, 2022. In the first quarter, the company acquired the Dubrovnik chain Pemo, and by mid-April, it also acquired the Slunj retail chain Kordun. Furthermore, at the beginning of May, Studenac took over the Duravit store in the area of the city of Pula, thereby strengthening its position in Istria. The acquisition that had the most significant impact on the strong growth of Studenac was the June acquisition of the Kutina retail chain Lonija, which has 300 stores in six counties and Zagreb, and more than 1400 employees. Thus, Studenac confirmed its position as the leading retail chain in terms of the number of stores in Croatia and is the first to have more than 1000 in its sales network, with over 5500 employees now at the service of customers.

Studenac Digital

At the same time, the company continues to grow by introducing a digital transformation strategy, which will support the further development of the network and the improvement of the commercial offer. Specifically, Studenac has launched its center of excellence ‘Studenac Digital’, for the most advanced use of analytics and data management with the aim of becoming a leader in digital innovations in the retail sector. Thanks to this, Studenac is truly becoming a data-driven organization, and the company sees data and analytics as an important step closer to customers, as well as a means to make the entire business even more agile and efficient.

Loyalty has value

Focusing on customer value, Studenac has designed ‘My Studenac’, a new loyalty program in the form of a modern mobile application that brings greater value to customers for their loyalty. Specifically, thanks to the data that will be collected and analyzed, Studenac will provide customers with personalized benefits. The ‘My Studenac’ project is backed by a whole team of experts from Studenac, nearly 50 of them, including internal and external collaborators and members of both the core and extended teams from as many as ten different departments, who have joined forces in a common mission to ensure value for loyalty to their customers.

Social responsibility

In 2022, Studenac continues to provide strong support to the community in which it operates. Through new donations, the company, as part of the ‘One Step Closer to the Community’ project, has supported local programs that contribute to the welfare of society, and the total value of donations will reach half a million kuna by the end of the year. Additionally, in May, Studenac conducted a new, fourth eco-action as part of its ‘One Step Closer to Nature’ project, and with a record number of employees gathered and support from local partners, it contributed to a cleaner Adriatic along the coast of Selca. The company is resolutely continuing to be one step closer to nature, but also to the community.