Romanian retailer Flanco expects three-fold increase in tablet sales, ten-fold in smartphones

Romanians spend on average some EUR 400 on a laptop, EUR 250 on a tablet and EUR 400 on a smartphone, according to data from IT&C retailer Flanco. The retailer expects tablet sales to triple, while sales of smartphones are predicted to increase tenfold in its stores, with a modest increase of 20 percent for laptops this year.

Notebooks made up 17 percent of Flanco's sales last year- or some EUR 18.7 million, and will continue on an upward trend, with 20 percent more expected in sales, or some EUR 22.4 million.

The penetration rate for notebooks is of 20 percent in Romania, according to Flanco. Notebook sellers target all family members, not just households, which was the case with PCs, while the life span of a notebook is on average three years. Tablets made only 1 percent of Flanco's sales in 2011, or some EUR 1.1 million, but tablet sales could triple, to some EUR 3.3 million this year, as their penetration rate is very low in Romania. New technologies, like tablets and smartphones are more easily accessible due to relatively low prices, while the penetration rate in Romania is still low. Even so, prices for laptops, tablets and smartphones went up at end-2011, and average price increases are also expected in 2012. Flanco owns 77 stores in Romania. Earlier in February, Flanco announced a planned new retail concept, and is hiring 100 new employees as a result. Flanco is majority owned by Asesoft Web, owned by Iulian Stanciu and Sebastian Ghita. Asesoft bought the retailer in 2010, when it was on the brink of bankruptcy. The retailer became insolvent after accumulating debts to several banks. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Flanco)