Flanco to start biggest expansion in six years

Business Forum
Romanian tech retailer Flanco has announced its most significant expansion strategy in six years, committing approximately RON 20 million (close €4 million) to investments in 2025.

Flanco will open 10 new stores and revamp another 12-15 to align with its Smart Discounter positioning. The network's sales floor area is set to increase by approximately 10,000 sqm, with a focus on major cities and high-traffic commercial centers.

This strategic shift marks a return to pre-pandemic expansion tactics, targeting larger cities and more expansive store formats, typically ranging from 800-1000 sqm. New store openings are scheduled for major urban centers across the country, including Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Constanța, Bacău, Pitești, and Galați. Flanco has already inaugurated two new stores this year in Iași and Tulcea.

Dragoș Sîrbu, CEO of Flanco, said: “We are expanding the Flanco network into high-traffic areas where we can fully deliver on the Smart Discounter concept: latest-generation technology, intelligent offers, flexible payment solutions, and attractive campaigns for customers, such as Rabla.”

The retailer is also actively rebranding existing stores, with 22 locations already showcasing the new Smart Discounter identity across 17 cities. Cities like Giurgiu, Arad, Târgoviște, Râmnicu-Sărat, and soon Târgu-Mureș are on the list for rebranding in 2025.

RECOMMENDED
Property leasing in Romania keeps steady in Q3, says CBRE
Real estate

Property leasing in Romania keeps steady in Q3, says CBRE

CBRE reports that office demand in Bucharest remained stable in Q3 2025, with total leasing activity reaching 61,500 sqm, consistent with the previous quarter but down from last year's quarterly average and the first half of this year. Despite the constant activity levels, market dynamics shifted this quarter as net demand increased by 44% compared to Q2 2025, totalling 41,700 sqm.

Penny opens €35 million logistics centre near Bucharest
Real estate

Penny opens €35 million logistics centre near Bucharest

Penny Romania retail chain has inaugurated its new logistics depot in Mihăilești, Giurgiu County, near Bucharest, marking a €35 million investment in sustainable infrastructure. The facility is the first in the company's network to operate entirely without gas heating, using waste heat recovery systems and heat pumps instead.

RECOMMENDED FROM THE HOME PAGE
Electro-Alfa plans IPO on BVB
Finance

Electro-Alfa plans IPO on BVB

Electro-Alfa International, a Romanian electrical equipment manufacturer, has announced plans for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) on the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB).

Industry

Life sciences M&A surges 81% as big pharma hunts for growth, says EY

Global life sciences M&A activity increased by 81% in 2025 to $240 billion, driven by Big Pharma's large-scale deals, despite fewer overall transactions. The surge reflects companies prioritising innovations ready for launch as they face widening growth gaps.

Finance

Romania launches first 2026 Fidelis bond IPO on stock exchange

Romania's Ministry of Finance will conduct its first public offering of Fidelis government bonds for 2026 between January 16 and 23 on the Bucharest Stock Exchange. This marks the 32nd offering since the Fidelis program resumed in July 2020.

READ MORE
Business Forum  |  16 January, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Business Forum  |  16 January, 2026 at 4:13 PM