Commerce & Services Romania

Main networks in the market

 

Kaufland: One of the largest retailers in Romania with 145 hypermarkets across the country.

 

Lidl: Discount supermarket chain with over 320 stores.

 

Carrefour: Operates 44 hypermarkets, 192 supermarkets, and 154 local stores across the country.

 

Profi: The largest supermarket chain in Romania with more than 1,740 stores.

 

Mega Image: Has over 900 stores, including supermarkets and local stores.

 

Auchan: Operates 33 hypermarkets along with several supermarkets and local stores. Auchan is actively developing its network by offering a wide range of products at competitive prices.

 

Thus, the network of supermarkets and hypermarkets in Romania is well-developed and continues to grow, offering consumers a wide choice and convenient access to various products.

Major online stores in Romania

 

 

 

eMAG.ro (the local "amazon"): The largest online store in Romania; offers a wide range of products: electronics, appliances, fashion, home goods, books, toys, groceries, and more; advantages: fast delivery, good return conditions, frequent promotions and discounts.

 

 

 

Altex.ro: One of the leading electronics and appliance retailers in Romania; also offers home products, sports goods, toys, and automotive products; advantages: competitive prices, installment program, pick-up option from stores.

 

 

 

Flanco.ro: Well-known online store for electronics and appliances, also offers home, fitness, and health products; advantages: frequent promotions and discounts, installment programs, wide product range.

Postal services in Romania are predominantly provided by several private courier companies: Fan Courier; Cargus; Sameday.

 

Delivery is quite fast in Romania, usually, for example, after ordering something from Emag (the local amazon equivalent), it will be at your doorstep in a day or two!

 

The postal locker system, also known as automated parcel pick-up points, is rapidly developing in Romania. These devices allow for receiving and sending parcels at any convenient time, providing flexibility and convenience for users.

 

Benefits of postal lockers

 

24/7 availability: Postal lockers operate around the clock, allowing users to pick up their parcels whenever convenient for them.

 

Convenient location: Postal lockers are installed in strategically important locations such as shopping centers, office buildings, and transport hubs.

 

Speed and efficiency: Using postal lockers reduces the time needed to pick up and send parcels, avoiding queues and delays.

 

Security: The postal locker system ensures a high level of security for parcels, using reliable locks and tracking systems.

 

Many international courier services also operate in the country, providing express delivery services for documents and parcels both domestically and internationally: DHL Express; FedEx Express; UPS; TNT Express; GLS Romania; DPD Romania.

 

How to choose a courier service?

 

For fast international delivery: DHL, FedEx, UPS (more expensive but more reliable).

 

For more affordable delivery in Europe: GLS, DPD, Cargus.

 

For sending parcels within Romania: Fan Courier, Cargus.

 

For sending documents: TNT, DHL, FedEx.

Main operators

 

Orange Romania: One of the leading operators; offers mobile and fixed services, including internet and television; actively develops its 5G network and provides high-speed internet in large cities.

 

Vodafone Romania: Also a major player in the telecommunications market; provides a wide range of services, including mobile communication, internet, and TV.

 

Telekom Romania: Provides both mobile and fixed services, including internet and television.

 

Digi: Known for its competitive rates and quality services; offers packages including internet, TV, and mobile communication; has a wide coverage network across the country.

 

Services and tariffs

 

Most operators offer various tariff plans, including both prepaid and postpaid options. Mobile networks support 3G, 4G, and 5G, 5G+ standards. Mobile apps and online services make it easy to manage accounts, pay for services, and make purchases.

 

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Internet packages often include unlimited traffic and can be combined with television and telephony.

 

Operators offer various TV service packages, including cable, satellite, and IPTV. Packages may include many international and local channels.

 

 

 

To connect to the services, it is necessary to

 

Choose an operator and tariff: Visit the operators' websites or their offices to get information about current offers and tariffs.

 

Sign a contract: For this, you will need a passport or ID, as well as documents confirming your place of residence (e.g., rental agreement).

 

Equipment installation: Operators provide equipment installation services such as modems, routers, and TV receivers.

 

Features for foreigners

 

Foreigners can easily connect to telecommunications services by providing the necessary documents. It's important to consider the compatibility of mobile phones with local networks (GSM 900/1800) and the possibility of obtaining prepaid SIM cards for short-term use.

Food delivery

 

Glovo: One of the most popular platforms; offers a wide selection of restaurants and shops, as well as delivery of groceries and other goods.

 

FoodPanda: Works with many restaurants and offers fast food delivery.

 

Tazz by eMAG: A platform associated with the major Romanian retailer eMAG, offers delivery of food, groceries, and other goods.

 

Grocery and goods delivery

 

Freshly by eMAG: The largest online retailer in Romania, offering a wide range of products from electronics to food.

 

Bringo: A platform associated with Carrefour, offers home delivery of groceries.

In Romania, the operating hours of shops and various services may vary depending on the type of business, region, and season. Here are the main features of the working hours of different types of establishments:

 

Grocery stores and supermarkets

 

Regular days: Most supermarkets operate from 7:00 or 8:00 to 21:00 or 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

 

Holidays: On holidays, operating hours may be reduced, or stores may be closed. For example, on Christmas and Easter, most stores are closed.

 

Shopping centers and clothing stores

 

Regular days: Shopping centers usually operate from 10:00 to 22:00, Monday to Sunday.

 

Holidays: On holidays, shopping centers may have reduced hours or be closed on some holidays.

 

Banks

 

Regular days: Banks operate Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. Some branches may operate until 18:00.

 

Holidays: Banks are closed on official holidays. The schedule may change depending on the specific bank and location.

 

 

 

Offices and government institutions

 

Regular days: Offices and government institutions operate Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:00.

 

Holidays: Closed on official holidays such as New Year, Easter, Labor Day, and Christmas.

 

Restaurants and cafes

 

Regular days: Most restaurants and cafes operate from 10:00 to 23:00 or until midnight.

 

Holidays: Restaurants may operate according to the usual schedule or have reduced hours on holidays. Some restaurants may be closed on Christmas and Easter.

 

These schedules may vary depending on the location and type of business, so it is recommended to check the exact operating hours of a particular establishment on their official websites or by phone before visiting.

Romania has a wide range of both local and international brands covering various industries, from the automotive industry to retail and the IT sector. Here are some of them:

 

Local brands

 

Dacia: An automotive brand that is the most valuable in Romania, with a significant history and recognition both domestically and abroad.

 

eMAG: The largest online retailer offering a wide range of products from electronics to household appliances.

 

Dedeman: A leading retailer of construction materials and home goods.

 

Banca Transilvania: One of the largest banks in the country, providing a wide range of financial services.

 

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Bitdefender: A renowned brand in the cybersecurity field, offering antivirus solutions and other data protection products.

 

Ursus: One of the leading beer brands in Romania, known for its quality products. Ursus and its brand Timisoreana are among the most valuable in the beer market.

 

 

 

International Brands

 

IKEA: A Swedish furniture company offering a wide range of furniture and home goods.

 

Carrefour: A French hypermarket chain, widely represented in Romania.

 

Lidl: A German grocery store chain, popular among the local population for affordable prices and a wide selection.

 

H&M: A Swedish fashion retailer with numerous stores in major Romanian cities.

 

McDonald's: An American fast-food restaurant chain present in all major cities across the country.

Romania is famous for its hospitality and respect for traditions. When interacting with locals, it's important to show politeness and respect. Greetings are usually formal: a handshake, direct eye contact, and a greeting appropriate to the time of day. Titles like "Domnul" (Mr.) or "Doamna" (Mrs.) and the surname are often used.

 

Shopping Etiquette

 

Courtesy and respect: In stores and markets, it's customary to greet the vendors. When shopping, it’s recommended to use basic Romanian phrases such as "Mulțumesc" (thank you) and "Vă rog" (please). This is appreciated and creates a good impression.

 

Queues and patience: Queues in stores and services are common. Patience and respect for other customers should be observed.

 

Business etiquette: When doing business, it is important to schedule meetings in advance and arrive on time. Gifts at business meetings are a sign of respect, but they should be modest and not too expensive.

 

 

 

Features of Market Shopping

 

Bargaining and barter: In markets, bargaining is possible, especially when purchasing large quantities or in rural markets. It's part of the local culture and helps build rapport with vendors.

 

Fresh products: Romanian markets are known for their fresh and high-quality products, especially fruits and vegetables. Many prefer to shop at markets as the quality is often higher than in supermarkets.

 

Features in Restaurants and Cafés

 

Toasts and meals: Romanians often make toasts before meals, using the phrase "Noroc!" (good luck). It’s important to wait until the host or the eldest at the table begins the meal before starting to eat.

 

Tipping: It is customary to leave a tip of 10% of the bill in restaurants. This is a gesture of appreciation for good service.

 

Advice for Foreigners

 

Gifts: If invited to someone’s home, it is customary to bring gifts such as flowers, chocolates, or good wine. This demonstrates respect and appreciation for the hosts.

Winter Sales

 

The winter sale season starts right after Christmas and continues until the end of January. During this period, many stores offer significant discounts on winter clothing, accessories, and other products to make room for new collections.

 

Summer Sales

 

The summer sale season usually begins in early July and continues until the end of August. This is the time when stores offer discounts on summer clothing, footwear, and accessories. Summer sales are also popular among tourists.

 

Black Friday

 

Black Friday, like in many other countries, takes place on the last Friday of November. On this day, numerous stores and online platforms offer significant discounts on a wide range of products, from electronics to clothing and household appliances.

 

Cyber Monday

 

The following Monday after Black Friday, known as Cyber Monday, focuses on online sales. It's a great time for online shopping with big discounts on various products, especially electronics.

 

Special Sale Days

 

Spring sales: Occur in May, often coinciding with holidays such as Labor Day (May 1st).

 

Autumn sales: May include sales associated with the start of the school year and other autumn events.

 

These sales seasons provide excellent opportunities for bargain shopping, and planning purchases during these times can help save significant amounts.

The household waste disposal and recycling system in Romania is undergoing significant reforms and modernization aimed at achieving European standards and transitioning to a circular economy.

 

National Recovery and Resilience Plan: Romania received €1.2 billion from the European Union to improve the management of all types of waste by 2026. This plan includes the construction of 565 centers for the collection of bulky and hazardous waste, as well as the installation of approximately 14,000 digital underground green islands for separate waste collection in cities. The plan finances all types of waste management activities, including the closure of non-compliant landfills.

 

New initiatives: Romania recently launched a deposit return system for plastic bottles and other single-use packaging, which has become one of the largest in Europe. This system is aimed at increasing the collection and recycling rates of plastic, glass, and metal beverage containers. How it works: when purchasing beverages in single-use packaging ranging from 0.1 to 3 liters, consumers pay a deposit of 0.5 Romanian lei (approximately €0.1). After using the packaging, they can return it to a collection point and receive their deposit back.