From a family home to a regional leader
Guests walked through the wooden structure of a replica of the first Okov store – identical to the one from 1994. The smell of old wood, a weathered cash register, a weighing scale and a rotary telephone reminded them of the humble beginnings of the company that, in three decades, grew into a regional retail chain with 19 large sales centers, over 700 employees and an annual turnover of 100 million euros.
In his address to the audience, recalling the turbulent years when the company was founded, General Manager Gojko Bajović said:
"I read somewhere that the only ones who can predict the future are those who shape it themselves. And that's exactly what happened! If we had looked around more, we could have found a million and one reasons to go crazy. Maybe that's why we concentrated on what we could and had to do, on ourselves and ours, and day after day we tried to make tomorrow really better."
New logistics center – an investment worth 10 million euros
In addition to the grand anniversary, the occasion for the gathering was also the grand opening of a 16.000 m² logistics center — an investment worth over 10 million euros. This modern complex – in synergy with the recently opened logistics center in Belgrade – will become the operational backbone of Okov's further expansion into regional markets, speed up deliveries and enable an even richer product offering.
The gala dinner brought together more than 300 management members from numerous European companies - including global brands such as Bosch, Stanley Black & Decker, Kärcher, Ariston, STIHL, as well as numerous representatives of the domestic business community. The address to the partners by Tijana Rašović, the commercial director who, as the daughter of the founder, grew up with this company, attracted particular attention:
"I will never forget the feeling I had when I first stepped foot in the Frankfurt trade fair hall – countless people, innovations everywhere… We must have walked twenty kilometers and had to buy new suitcases to fit all the catalogs we picked up. We are still in love with the goods, we still feel like a child in a toy store at the fairs! Our dear suppliers, thank you all for – product by product – continuing to bring Europe and the world to Montenegro together!"
Looking ahead: a new shopping center in the City Quarter
The anniversary was an opportunity for Okov, together with international partners, to discuss the next steps in development. The most significant announcement of the evening came from CEO Jakov Bajović:
"That's why my heart is full when I say that in the City Quarter, in the new center of Podgorica, on a plot of 20 m², we will build our largest shopping center to date. But, out of responsibility towards the future, towards the youngest and those who are yet to come, we will arrange a large part of that complex as a space for education and learning, for thinking and the free exchange of ideas - a place where the spirit of the entire community will be able to develop."
The new logistics center, support from partners from all over Europe, and the planned shopping complex in the City Quarter all together confirm that the story started in 1994 is just entering its strongest phase.
(Shackle)
