Fast-growing supermarket chain Studenac nurtures high ambitions

By: Trademagazin editor Date: 2025. 04. 24. 09:05

Studenac, one of the fastest-growing food retailers in Central and Eastern Europe, saw sales rise 22% in 2024 and aims to grow to 3,400 stores by the end of 2028, partly through acquisitions.

Studenac

Croatian food retailer Studenac’s revenue rose 22% to 816.5 million euros last year. Adjusted EBITDA went up 18% to 78 million euros. On a like-for-like basis, revenue rose 11%. In addition, the company opened 140 new stores and also made its first acquisition in Slovenia. The group now operates 1443 stores in both countries, with 160 store openings planned this year. The ambition is to have 3,400 stores by the end of 2028.

‘We are accelerating organic expansion while also continuing the proven strategy of market consolidation in Croatia and Slovenia,’ says CEO Michał Seńczuk, who attributes the chain’s success to a strong proximity store concept. In September 2025, Studenac will open a new distribution centre in Velika Gorica, near Zagreb. Next year, there will also be a new warehouse in Dugopolje, near Split.

Studenac, founded in 1991, is the largest food retailer in Croatia by number of stores and one of the fastest-growing chains in the Central and Eastern Europe region. Since 2018, the company has more than tripled the number of stores. Majority shareholder of Studenac is the investment fund Enterprise Investors.