Cel.ro: We remained in the black by avoiding unnecessary spending

Cel.ro, number 5 on the Romanian IT&C retail market in terms of 2008 revenues, targets similar revenues in 2009 to those recorded in 2008, and expects a lower net profit, amid a reduction in margins, as well as higher costs. "In terms of the number of orders, we recorded a 25% increase in the first 8 months of the year, whilst our turnover went up by 7%. However, we recorded lower turnover in May and August than in the similar period of 2008. Unfortunately, considering the July and August figures, I don't think the last few months of the year will bring us any growth. We hope to end the year at least with a similar turnover to the 2008 one," Tiberiu Pop, chief executive of Corsar Grup, the company that manages cel.ro online store, told ZF. Cel.ro, number 5 among IT&C retailers in terms of 2008 turnover, posted the biggest net profit last year - 200,000 euros, by avoiding "unnecessary" spending, as the retailer reveals. "Out of all online IT&C stores, we derive the biggest turnover per employee. (...) On the online market, the winners are those who can move boxes from importers to clients with the lowest cost. The fact that we were in the black since the first few years did not have us rush into unnecessary spending on luxurious head offices or cars," Pop says.