Retail Sans Frontieres

“After Poland entered the European Union, the general confidence in Polish companies as stable business partners grew. The products of Polish manufacturers can increasingly be found in shops abroad and are much more recognised by foreign customers,” claims Marek Janeczko, the chief operating officer and board member of the Smyk chain. The opening of outlets outside your own national borders requires familiarisation with the local market, adjustments to its calendar and to its economic and political situations as well as to the local customs. In spite of these and other difficulties, as well as the risks involved in expansion to other countries, many Polish brands have decided to take on the challenge. These include Smyk, the LPP group, 4F, Kazar, CCC, Simple and Gino Rossi. Smyk having fun over at the neighbours’ Children’s goods chain Smyk, which sells footwear, clothes, toys, accessories and books, opened its first stores abroad in 2006