Kaufland Celebrates Its 18th Anniversary at the UNWE

Kaufland Bulgaria chose the UNWE to present to the media the company's results on the eve of its 18th Anniversary. A Welcoming speech was delivered by the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and the Vice Rector for International Affairs Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov was invited to speak in his role as a financial analyst.

The main data from the report on the company's activity for these 18 years was presented by the CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria Ivan Chernev.

Mr. Ivan Chernev, Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov

The Rector Prof. Dimitar Dimitrov greeted the celebrating company and emphasized on the good cooperation that has been established between the UNWE and Kaufland Bulgaria. "Kaufland always responds to the demands of education. A few days ago we launched the second highly successful Business Academy Kaufland - UNWE where our students upbuild their theoretical knowledge, learn from the company's managers, have the opportunity to experience the real business environment, conduct internships in the company, receive scholarships, and even find their first job there", said the Rector expressing his contentment with the fact that the University has partnered with the leader of the modern trade in the country which is also the largest private employer in the country with nearly 7 500 employees.

Since its establishment in 2006 Kaufland Bulgaria has become the largest company in the retail sector in Bulgaria with nearly BGN 2 billion in fixed investments and over BGN 1 billion in wages paid. During this period, it has established 65 stores across the country offering over 21 000 items. It is extremely important that the goods are from Bulgarian producers and suppliers and they account for 87% of all goods. According to the company's data for these years the taxes paid to the state amount to BGN 1.63 billion and the social security paid to its employees amount to BGN 309 million.

Throughout the past 18 years the guiding principles of our work have been the transparency, precise and explicit communication and accountability to our clients and employees. We have proven to be a reliable partner both to the institutions in Bulgaria and to the huge number of Bulgarian suppliers and manufacturers we work with on a daily basis. Expanding the stock of Bulgarian fruit and vegetables in the chain's stores has been a priority for the company in the recent years. More than BGN 1 million is the annual investment in quality that the company realizes in  Bulgaria", emphasized the CEO of Kaufland Bulgaria Ivan Chernev on the occasion of the company`s birthday.

In the event took part the Vice Rector of UNWE Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yanko Hristozov who made a macroeconomic analysis of the current situation in Bulgaria and Europe, examining some key issues including polycrises, inflation, economic growth, interest rates, capital, and the state of business in Bulgaria. The major focus of his analysis was on a possible future food crisis which would affect Europe due to the heavy dependence on food imports on the Old Continent.

"In 2023 all retail chains generated a Gross Value Added /GVA/ for Bulgaria of more than BGN 18.9 billion and nearly 10% is the share of Kauflаnd", emphasized the Vice-Rector. The main contributions of Kaufland's activities pointed out by Assoc. Prof. Hristozov are the creation of new jobs, helping to grow incomes, contributing to the development of several economic sectors: agriculture, trade, manufacturing, transport, supporting Bulgarian producers, traders, and suppliers of goods and services, and supporting Bulgarian education. "Kauflаnd also supports the establishment and development of new businesses as well as the Bulgarian producers. With the taxes paid by Kauflаnd Bulgaria for the last 18 years the budget of Bulgaria is supported to a great extent", summarized Assoc. Prof. Hristozov.

"We are proud that Kaufland Bulgaria is a partner of UNWE. It helps us a lot as a sponsor for the renovation of halls, it gave us as gift a large modern screen for Maxima Aula, organizes competitions, internships, scholarships, business academies and all this is extremely useful for our students", said at the end of the event the Rector of UNWE Prof. Dr. Dimitar Dimitrov.

The event was also attended by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maria Vodenicharova, Vice-Rector for Research