ViTRA took part in the 8th edition of the FMCG & Retail Channels Conference, an event organized by Modern Buyer Moldova and Romania at Chișinău Arena, which brought together nearly 400 professionals from the Retail & FMCG industry.

The conference focused on the key trends shaping modern trade in the Republic of Moldova: network consolidation, the growth of proximity retail formats, digitalization, operational efficiency, and the need for strategic partnerships between retailers and suppliers.

During the event, Sergiu Crețu, Founder and CEO of ViTRA, spoke about the transformation of modern food retail and the way stores should be designed around location, shopper behavior, and specific shopping missions.

“There is no universal format that works for every location. There are scenarios that dominate in certain areas, and retailers need to choose the right format for each specific location. Store design is not just decoration — it is a form of communication through every element,” Sergiu Crețu emphasized.

This approach reflects the direction in which modern retail is evolving: stores better adapted to their environment, commercial spaces built around customer experience, and concepts capable of responding quickly to changing consumer needs. For ViTRA, store planning is not only about placing equipment, but about creating a functional, efficient, and easy-to-navigate space.

Another important topic addressed by Sergiu Crețu was the role of technology in the development of new retail formats. One of the solutions ViTRA is bringing to the market in 2026 is the micromarket — a fully automated retail format designed for spaces where accessibility and continuous operation are essential.

“The micromarket is a solution for the future: it operates without staff, can be configured according to specific needs, is equipped with smart technologies, and can function 24/7. Such formats can be installed in hospitals, hotels, factories, or airports,” explained the CEO of ViTRA.

In his view, investments in equipment and technology should not be seen merely as a cost, but as an investment in improving the customer experience. The retail of the future will increasingly be built around efficiency, automation, and the ability to deliver fast, clear, and context-adapted services.

At the conference, Sergiu Crețu also announced one of ViTRA’s most important development directions for 2026: the opening of the company’s largest showroom, planned for July. This new space will strengthen ViTRA’s role as a partner for retailers looking for integrated solutions for the design, equipment, and modernization of commercial spaces.

With 17 years of experience, ViTRA continues to contribute to the development of modern retail in the Republic of Moldova through complete solutions for convenience stores, supermarkets, specialized formats, HoReCa, and logistics. Over the years, ViTRA has helped equip and modernize commercial spaces for some of the most important retailers on the local market, including Linella, Local Discounter, Casa Curată, Alcomarket, and Rogob — brands that are among the retail networks with the largest number of stores in the Republic of Moldova.