Tradition, hospitality and scenic diversity - the next stop on our country tour takes us to Romania, where unspoilt nature meets vibrant culture. Join the colleagues from PENNY Romania on a journey through their home country and discover the Romanian spirit together. You can also read the answers to our 3 questions to: Daniel Gross, CEO PENNY Romania, Draga Cukjati, CFO PENNY Romania, and Dan Crisan, COO PENNY Romania.
Discover Romania with us: from the Carpathian Mountains, which stretch across the country like a green belt, to the unique Danube Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is home to an impressive array of biodiversity. The country is divided into three historical regions – Moldavia, Wallachia and Transylvania. The latter is particularly famous for the world-renowned Bran Castle, home to the legendary figure Count Dracula. A little tip from our Romanian PENNY colleagues: it’s best to eat some garlic before you visit!
Romania’s cultural heritage is as diverse as its landscape – from colourful traditional costumes and dances such as the hora, to rural ways of life and a cuisine that brings people together. True to the Romanian proverb: “The way to our hearts is through our stomachs.”
Since 2005, the discount retailer has been expanding across the country and is now represented in every county with 460 stores and around 7,500 employees. The Romanian spirit is firmly embedded in the company – characterised by solidarity, pride and a passion for the community. This is particularly evident in the products: to guarantee exceptional freshness, staff check fruit and vegetables every two hours. Regionality and the strengthening of the local economy also play a central role and are reflected in initiatives such as “TripleRO”. And when it comes to innovation, PENNY Romania is also a pioneer: after all, the first autonomous PENNY store was opened in Bucharest.
Over the coming weeks, our Romanian colleagues will take you on a tour of their homeland. Discover surprising facts about the country and its people, be inspired by the culinary diversity, and get to know some charming cultural quirks.
Curious?
Then join us on this journey and discover a side of Romania you may not have known before.
Daniel Gross, CEO
If you had to describe Romania in 3 words, what would they be?
Dynamic, collaborative, customer focused.
What makes Romania special for you?
For me, PENNY Romania stands out through its strong team spirit and the way people work together to achieve common goals. It is a place where ideas are valued and where you can see the direct impact of your work.
What excites you most about PENNY Romania?
The continuous development and the opportunity to contribute to projects that make a real difference for both customers and colleagues.
What was your personal highlight in PENNY Romania?
The team.
What do you enjoy most about working at PENNY Romania?
Also, the team, my colleagues.
Draga Cukjati, CFO
If you had to describe PENNY Romania in three words, what would they be?
People-orientated. Courageous. Authentic.
What makes PENNY Romania special for you?
The culture of trust and open communication. At PENNY, leadership is not about hierarchies - it's about connecting "from person to person".
What excites you most about PENNY Romania?
The opportunity to work with a strong, committed team - that really energises me.
Dan Crisan, CO
If you had to describe Romania in 3 words, what would they be?
Young, Ambitious, Cool
What makes Romania special for you?
21 years of growing together with PENNY. Over the past two decades, we have witnessed and been a part of remarkable transformations. We've seen the landscape of Romania evolve and flourish, and Penny has been right there, contributing, adapting, and growing alongside it. Through our relentless efforts and continuous expansion, we have managed to reach hundreds of communities across Romania. I am thrilled about our future and the incredible potential we have.
What excites you most about PENNY Romania?
3 reasons out of many others:
- I’ve always wanted to work in retail, and I think that the discount format principles align very good with my working style and approach.
- I enjoy that we at PENNY Romania put people first and our growth and resilience are coming from the power of our teams.
- It gave me the opportunity to work with people from all corners of the country. Each new shop has been a chance to understand and serve our clients better, to lead larger teams and manage growing business figures.
