The owners of the “Aibė” store in Daukšaičiai: “We have been growing for 25 years”

The building of the store “Aibė”, which decorates the center of Daukšaičiai village, and its carefully arranged surroundings attract the attention of passers-by and they stop here. A spacious shopping hall, a wide selection of products, and their convenient arrangement pleasantly surprise people. “We are happy with what we have created – we did not expect to be able to attract so many customers,” said store owners Erika and Algis Šliaužiai, who are celebrating their company’s 25th birthday this month.

Rated four crowns
Customers feel welcome in the Daukšaičiai grocery store “Aibė”, which was renovated a year ago. Beautiful interior, abundance of goods, pleasant service encourage them to come back here – not every village store succeeds in creating this. The stores belonging to the “Aibė” trade network differ according to the number of crowns awarded – from one to four. Daukšaičiai’s “Aibė” was awarded four crowns – one of ten in Lithuania. “We are delighted with this rating, which reflects the fact that our store has the largest range of products compared to others with fewer crowns.” Order, service, abundance and quality of goods, interior are also evaluated with this mark, – revealed businessman A. Šliaužys. – The most “Aibė” stores in Lithuania with one crown.”

It’s not only attractive prices
“People come to our store to shop with lists of goods,” smiled E. Šliaužienė. – They are looking for both good prices and quality goods. They won’t buy expensive ones – it’s better to be cheaper, but to sell more and attract buyers.”
Therefore, buyers are satisfied with the prices in this store: with the “Aibė” discount card, not only a discount for goods, but also money accumulates – 1 percent. from the amount of goods. “This is our profit account – about 900 euros every month, but it is useful from a business standpoint,” A. Šliaužys is convinced.
According to the businessman, an average of about 300 customers visit the store every day. It depends on many things – salaries, pension payment dates and even the weather. Before ordering goods for the weekend, businessmen check the weather forecast to know what to order more – milk or meat, barbecue. “People know that they will always buy the latest products from us,” noted A. Šliaužys. “It’s nice that they leave satisfied and thank you.” According to the entrepreneur, the recipe for success is a lot of work, love and respect for the customer. “The largest turnover is from food products, but not from alcoholic beverages, although their selection is large, up to the most expensive,” assured the interviewer.

You don’t regret taking the risk
E. Šliaužienė founded the trading company 25 years ago. She worked for 4 years in a small shop across the road and tried to compete with the forklift operating in this building with lower prices. She dreamed of buying that big, former building of the Priekulė consumer cooperative and having a nice shop. “When I entered, I imagined what would be placed where – I was planning the sales hall,” the businesswoman recalled with a smile.
She managed to buy this abandoned dream building. “Water was dripping through the roof, the birch trees were green, neither windows nor doors – torn, torn, huge repairs were needed,” said Sliaužiai. – Constant reconstruction and repair have been going on until now – we invested and improved it for 20 years, the shopping area was constantly changing. We also cleaned, beautified the store’s surroundings, paved the parking lot. We paved the entrance to the store with our own funds (EUR 2,000), because the Directorate of Motorways, which owns this road, was in no hurry to repair it.”
However, even then, while working in miserable conditions, E. and A. Šliaužiai worked hard for their customers, to have a wide range of quality products. “We worked together, hand in hand, discussing and making the most correct decisions, and we are succeeding,” the businessmen said.
The renovation of the building was completed a year ago. Renovated facade, replaced windows, interior, all shopping equipment, new refrigerators, shelves, cash registers.
The work, the renovation of the store took place after a sharp jump in prices, but once it started, it had to be finished. “We risked losing or having what we dreamed of,” admitted E. Šliaužienė.
“Risks are inevitable in business,” the man retorted. “Unexpected things can happen at any time.”
The shock was caused by the high cost of electricity, which is consumed a lot in the store: 200 kWh per day. They laid 6 thousand in one month. euros. Then he installed a 25 kW solar power plant on the roof of the building and pays only a few hundred euros per month for electricity.
Successful entrepreneurs have plans for a small bakery, where they will soon bake buns and bread. “Everyone to Daukšaičius – the birthday lasts more than one day”, smiled A. Šliaužys.

Virginia LAPIENĖ
Author’s photo.