Bistro network “Balts” hopes to expand the network of cafes and open outlets at the airport “Riga” and in the quiet center of the capital, said the representative of the company “Shiro” SIA “Shiro” that manages the “Balts” brand, Liene Kuplā.
She expressed that she sees “Balts” in the passenger terminals of “Rail Baltica” in the future.
Asked about the period of time in which “Balts” plans to implement plans for opening cafes in the center of Riga and at the airport, Kupla explained that it largely depends on the availability of premises.
“We regularly remind the airport of our interest, but so far we have received answers that the rooms are not available,” said Kupla, adding that even in the quiet center the competition for renting rooms is fierce, besides, not all available rooms are suitable for the bistro concept.
At the same time, the representative of the company said that the fourth “Balts” bistro was opened in Riga at the end of last year. It is located in the premises of “Panorama Plaza” in Pārdaugava. The primary function of this point of sale is to serve as couriers of meal delivery points cooperation partners – “Wolt” and “Bolt Food”.
“This is a kind of experiment for us, how to reach customers on the other side of the Daugava with minimal costs. Both investments and daily maintenance costs are minimal,” said Kuplä, adding that the area of the new location is 20 square meters and two employees are employed there.
Kupla previously stated that the bistro chain “Balts” closed last year with a turnover of more than one million euros.
Asked about the losses that the company has had since 2020, Kupla explained that they are related to the opening of new sales points in the shopping center “Sky&More” and “Galleria Riga”. “Consequently, the losses on the balance sheet are at the expense of long-term investments, which we expect to be repaid within the next year,” explained the company’s representative.
At the same time, she stated that “Balts” plans to develop in the following years as well, and the profit will be invested in process optimization and quality improvement.
Information from “Firmas.lv” shows that “Shiro” worked with a turnover of 509,605 euros in 2021, which is 1.7% less than in 2020, while the company’s losses increased by 58% and amounted to 46,552 euros.
“Shiro” was registered in 2015, and its share capital is 70,000 euros. The sole owner of the company is Gundars Galejs. Currently, the company has three “Balts” bistro branches in Riga.
