RAJA continues its economic and social growth

The RAJA Group, achieved a record turnover of EUR 1.02 billion in 2020. This is in line with the Group’s targets of a jump of 39.5%. The operating result amounted to €89 million, up 58% on the previous year. The company, which operates in 18 European countries with 25 subsidiaries, thus overcame the ongoing healthcare crisis thanks to its rapid adaptation to market conditions and the hard work of the team across Europe. In the Czech and Slovak Republics, the number of customers increased by almost 40%. In addition to financial growth, the company dedicated the past year to supporting charities through its foundation activities.

Results for 2020

Demand for packaging supplies and equipment, which account for 50% of the Group’s sales, has been boosted by an explosion of online sales across Europe. The crisis has also massively increased companies’ demand for protective equipment and toiletries. The RAJA Group’s subsidiaries specialising in the distribution of office supplies and equipment managed to maintain good results despite a slump in this product segment during the past year. Sales of industrial and warehouse equipment remained at the same level as last year.

Sustained revenue growth, a substantial increase in operating results and continued investment in logistics and digital projects – these are the main hallmarks for the RAJA Group in 2020. And this at a time of unprecedented pandemic crisis that has shaken the global market and its performance.

“First and foremost, I would like to thank our teams across Europe for their unflagging commitment and motivation. In the face of this unprecedented crisis, our companies continued to work and our 14 distribution centres continued to operate without interruption. We responded and adapted to our customers’ demand and continued to supply them with the products essential to their operations. We are particularly proud that in such a difficult year we have managed to strengthen the bond with our 1 million customers and have also gained the trust of 250,000 new customers in Europe,” said RAJA Group CEO Danièle Kapel -Marcovici.

As for the Slovak Republic’s results, RAJA’s local market saw a 38.4% year-on-year increase in turnover last year, thanks in part to a 29.9% increase in customers.

Solidarity stronger than ever

During 2020, in line with its values of solidarity and social responsibility, the Group’s companies, in addition to the actions and sponsorships of the RAJA-Danièle Marcovici Foundation, supported a series of initiatives combating the health, economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 disease, by supporting a number of charitable associations. At the end of 2020, the RAJA Group will have donated €1 million to charities across Europe. RAJA Slovakia, which has long been involved in activities to help women at risk of domestic violence, also supported the non-profit organisation FENESTRA, where it donated EUR 2,000.

Ambitious targets for 2021

For 2021, the RAJA Group is targeting an 8 to 10% increase in turnover. “In order to achieve this challenging target, we will need to consolidate our position as a multi-specialist in Europe. We will strengthen our organisation and continue to develop our customer base. The gradual economic recovery in Europe, the continued growth of online sales and the increasing demand for environmentally friendly products are factors that will help us achieve our goals. The Group’s stable financial position will allow us to continue our investment programme across Europe,” adds Danièle Kapel-Marcovici.