Articles

No matter how much effort goes into your campaign (the strategy, the shelf plan, the media budget, the promo mechanics), the final decision still happens where it always has: in the store.

The holiday season is frequently described as a “golden quarter“. But in 2025 the margin for error is thinner, competition fiercer, and consumers more discerning than ever. For brands and retailers in Romania, the opportunity is still there, but winning requires more than discounts. It demands insight, execution, and empathy.

As of August 1, 2025, Romania's VAT changes are in full effect. The standard rate has increased from 19% to 21%, and the previous reduced rates (5% and 9%) have been replaced with a flat 11% rate.

While the medical industry has long invested in equipment, facilities, and technology, patient experience is quickly becoming a key differentiator in an increasingly competitive market.

The data already exists. It’s just not being used where it counts. When used strategically, retail data becomes more than a checklist, it becomes a business asset.

Retail today is a high-stakes game. It's not just about filling shelves or ticking boxes. It’s about making sure every customer walks away feeling valued, understood, and eager to return.

Urban expansion, shifting population centers, and changing household incomes all play a role in how retail networks are developing across Romania. Stores that performed well two years ago may now be less relevant.

Walk into any store and one thing is clear: there’s a battle for attention happening on every shelf. In a retail landscape filled with choice, being visible is strategic.

There’s effort everywhere from team huddles to last-minute stock checks to clocking in before the doors open. But without actual data to show how that time is being spent, even the most well-intentioned, energetic teams can fall into invisible traps. Busyness can mask inefficiency. And in retail, inefficiency is expensive.

For customers, a promotion is a commitment. It sets an expectation: "This brand respects my time and my money". So when it’s not executed properly in-store, the emotional response is immediate: disappointment, confusion, suspicion, sometimes even embarrassment at the register.

As market specialists, we’ve seen one thing hold true across every category: brands don’t fail because of bad products. They fail because th

Imagine walking into one of your flagship stores. The layout is pristine, products are enticingly displayed, and your team is well-trained.

What happens when over 500 decision-makers, 28 industry speakers, and dozens of brands gather under one roof to shape the future of retail?