INTERVIEW: ZLATAN DEDIĆ, GENERAL MANAGER OF SVJETLOSTKOMERC D.D.
Interviewed by: Denis RAKANOVIĆ
SARAJEVO, Nov. 1 (ONASA) – The General Manager of the company Svjetlostkomerc d.d. Zlatan Dedić in the interview for the Agency ONASA, among other things, talks about the range of products and a number of outlets of the company, number of employees, cooperation with companies in the region engaged in similar activity …
ONASA: When was founded the company Svjetlostkomerc and what is its main activity?
DEDIĆ: Svjetlostkomerc d.d. Sarajevo is the leading company in BiH in the field of trade in books, textbooks, handbooks, school supplies, office supplies, computer equipment, accompanying articles. The company was founded in 1945 and on its development path has always recorded positive operating results and constant growth, except for the period from 1992 to 1995. From 1945 to 1990 the company operated as the integral part of the Publishing House Svjetlost and from 1990 has been operating under its current name.
ONASA: In your opinion, what place in BiH publishing today belongs to Svjetlostkomerc?
DEDIĆ: Although Svjetlostkomerc has registered publishing business, at present it is not engaged in publishing but in trade. In publishing is engaged the company called Publishing Company Svjetlost Sarajevo, which core business is publishing.
ONASA: What is your primary product portfolio?
DEDIĆ: The primary product portfolio are textbooks and manuals of publishers from BiH and abroad for primary, high schools and faculties, technical literature, school supplies for students, books, a wide range of office supplies and small IT equipment and famous brands of the gift program.
ONASA: How many outlets Svjetlostkomerc has in BiH and in which towns?
DEDIĆ: The company has 16 retail stores (bookstores) in the largest cities of the FBiH at very attractive locations with a wide range of goods and respectable brands. In Sarajevo we have nine bookstores, in Tuzla two, per one in Goražde, Gračanica, Zenica, Bihać and Jajce. We intend to be represented in the other bigger towns in BiH in the future.
ONASA: How many employees Svjetlostkomerc currently has and are you planning to hire more employees in the future period?
DEDIĆ: Svjetlostkomerc currently has 73 employees, which is enough for the current level of business activity. With the increase in business activity and expansion into new markets there will be a need for new employees.
ONASA: Do you have cooperation with companies engaged in similar activities in the region?
DEDIĆ: Business cooperation with companies in the region is developed, but it is present not only in the region but also beyond. The globalization of business is ever-present and even if you want to avoid it, it is impossible. The brand Svjetlostkomerc is recognized as the synonym for quality, reliability and safety in business in the region and beyond.
ONASA: Do you possibly have comparative information of how much books are read less today, than, for example, before the war?
DEDIĆ: Unfortunately no. But surely, when the “electronic books” appeared the popularity of “printed books” decreased, but I am of the opinion that the smell of the press, holding the covers of books and the pleasure of leafing through the same can not be replaced by anything else.
ONASA: Who are the biggest buyers in your stores and what is the percentage share of sales of mobile phones in your sales?
DEDIĆ: The range of our customers is large and the largest customers in our stores are the business clientele, students and their parents, and fans of high quality and attractive gifts. I think there are few people who have never bought anything in our stores. We sold mobile phones for some time in our stores, but gave upon them, because of the specialized sellers of these products. (end)