Cioccogelaterie Venchi Bucharest was opened in October, and its chocolate and ice cream products are considered premium and luxury items. According to Caramel Lounge representatives, some 30-50 clients, of which some 20 percent foreigners, visit the Calea Victoriei store, where the average price for a kilogram of chocolates is about €50.
The equipment alone in the Bucharest store cost €90,000, and can produce some 50 flavors of gelato, free of preservatives or artificial coloring, said George Balan, General Manager of Caramel Lounge, and one of its shareholders. The company plans to open three more units, of which one by the end of the year in Constanta, and one each in Cluj-Napoca and Iasi next year.
Balan indicated that retail in 2009 will make up 70 percent of Caramel Lounge’s turnover, with the remainder coming from distribution. The company’s main competitor is Belgian Leonidas.
