The year of 2013 was extremely important for retail business both in Poland and Lithuania.
We made very important decisions concerning logistics, price and marketing policy as well as we changed the members of the boards in companies that operate on both markets. When compared to the previous years, we noticed significant improvements of financial results on these markets. This results from costs rationalization as well as the sale increase.
In 2013 in Poland and Lithuania, we started realization of logistics projects in order to improve the supply of pharmacies and consequently – patients.
As far as the outer environment is concerned, on both markets we noticed worsening of conditions of business resulting from the competition increase forcing us to lower our prices. The key factor on the Polish market was suspending programs for patients forced by changes in the pharmaceutical law. To eliminate the effects of the process, we made numerous changes on both markets regarding the price offer, availability, way of communication to the patients. Thus, we managed to adjust our business to challenges of the environment what effected on a number of positive results allowing for optimistic forecasts for 2014.
The most important event in Lithuania in 2013 was starting a construction of a new distribution center. In the very same year, we also developed an online pharmacy, introduced a mobile application and opened 15 new pharmacies.
Moreover, what’s worth mentioning when focusing on the Polish market, CEPD was granted the Global Business Certification for Gender Equality in 2013. Thus, we create a good atmosphere in pharmacies’ teams and build a solid employer’s image.