Żabka Group is growing in Romania with froo – Exorigo-Upos supports the implementation

The Żabka Group, the European ecosystem of convenience stores, has started its expansion into the Romanian market under the new froo brand. Exorigo-Upos has become an implementation partner with whom the chain has cooperated for many years on the Polish market. Froo stores are modelled on their Polish counterparts.

Challenges and solutions

Carrying out projects of this magnitude requires a wide range of skills and in-depth knowledge of retail processes and local conditions. Exorigo-Upos’s IT work for froo, a modern convenience store chain in Romania, began in February 2024 and lasted four months. Specialists from the Romanian branch and a team of experts from Poland were involved in the project.

– Starting a business in a new country is always associated with specific challenges. However, the Romanian market is well known to us as we have been operating there for nine years. Thanks to our extensive competence and knowledge in the field of software, hardware and retail services, we were able to take on this complex project. We work on store openings and CCTV systems installations in the froo network. We also supply fiscal printers and provide 1st and 2nd line support services. Our residents play a key role in supporting the headquarters’ on-site employees – says Michał Koźliński, Director of the Technical Support and Service Center at Exorigo-Upos.

The installation of CCTV systems in Romania is subject to strict regulations, including the approval of the police. This requires obtaining the appropriate permits and training contractors. Another challenge was Romania’s complex road infrastructure, which required the coordination of many transports. Despite this, dozens of pallets with equipment arrived on time while maintaining the optimization of project costs.

Exorigo-Upos participated in the testing and piloting the new sales system, creating a test store and the first official stationary froo store in Bucharest.

– Although Romania and Poland are European countries, they differ in their approach to the implementation of tasks. Our task was to ensure communication and mutual understanding of the needs regarding the timeliness of implementing the following plan stages. In Romania, there is a cultural tendency towards a more flexible approach to time and approximate setting of deadlines. Despite the difficulties, we found a compromise and worked out optimal terms of cooperation – says Michał Koźliński.

Results

Thanks to its experience and support capabilities outside of Poland, Exorigo-Upos successfully provided implementation, service and business consulting, which was crucial for the first steps of the froo brand on the new market. The companies continue to cooperate by opening more outlets – from May to the end of 2024, more than 50 of them have already been established, in line with froo’s expansion strategy.

Froo in Romania – a new step by Żabka Group with Exorigo-Upos

The store offers a selection of snacks and coffees at the froo bistro. In addition, ice cups are available to cool drinks and freshly ground coffee. Tables are also located on the outdoor terrace.

– Exorigo-Upos’s support for the froo project is a complex undertaking that requires flexibility in how both parties work together. With the right logistics, understanding of local regulations, and adaptation to the new distribution system, Exorigo-Upos helped launch the highest quality froo stores in Romania. The company’s experience and wide range of services made us entrust it with the opening of new stores – says Radu Trandafir, General Manager, Froo Romania Retail S.R.L. & DRIM Daniel Distributie.

Summary

The Żabka Group in Poland manages over 11 thousand stores under the Żabka brand, Nano autonomous stores, q-commerce, e-commerce services and dietary catering. By entering the Romanian market, the Group benefits from over 26 years of experience in the Polish market.

Why did the Żabka Group choose Exorigo-Upos?

Exorigo-Upos has a nationwide IT and equipment service with 400 employees and a network of 22 service offices. We provide support services in several European countries, have offices in Romania, the Czech Republic and Slovakia and cooperate with a network of partners. We are also a manufacturer of fiscal printers; and a developer of software, including point-of-sale systems, fiscalization solutions, e-invoicing and e-payments.