Veropoulos Group will continue to expand with careful steps by opening more stores in North Macedonia and Serbia.
The story begins back in 1973 in Peristeri, in the old city cinema that the Veropoulos family rearranged into the town’s first supermarket. After that, another is opened near Athens. The rise of one of the most successful family companies in this part of Europe today is measured by 20 supermarkets and one shopping mall in North Macedonia and Serbia. Establishing a balance between the principles of profitability and ethics, the Veropoulos group comes to Serbia in 2001. With a staff of over 570, the Super Vero chain is now one of the most competitive in our country. In an interview with CORD, Veropoulos Group CEO Nikos Veropoulos analyses the development of its company in Serbia since 2001, when a year before opening the first hypermarket, they bought land in Belgrade as the first foreign retailer to do so.
– We were the first to trust the Serbian market and invest a few million euros. For many others, the Serbian market was considered a high-risk zone and they even avoided visiting the place at that time. Today, the situation is totally different, and Serbia attracts a lot of investors. I am so glad that my instinct was correct and that gave me the opportunity to develop step by step a good brand name by opening and operating good stores. Our Serbian customers appreciated the quality of our stores, our plentiful assortment, our good prices and service. There have been problems over the years, but we have overcome them simply because we believe in the Serbian market. It is true that we have won the award of the best Serbian supermarket brand three times.
In 2001, many others considered the Serbian market a high-risk zone and they even avoided visiting the place at that time. Today, the situation is totally different, and Serbia attracts a lot of investors
Today you have more than 20 supermarkets in the region. How will the network expand further in Serbia, and what kind of plans do you have for the region?
– We will continue to expand with careful steps by opening more stores in North Macedonia and Serbia. My strategy is not to open many stores but to open good stores. So far, all our stores are successful and profitable.
How would you assess the business climate for entrepreneurship in Serbia, compared to other countries in the region?
– Serbia is a stable country with a growing national income. Competition is intense and there are opportunities only for those who are good enough, who can focus and commit energy and resources to this market. It is a demanding market with demanding customers who know what they want.