Sophia enters Spanish market, “Sophia franchise” brand expands in Barcelona and Balearic Islands with Confident Agency support

Sophia, one of the leading Romanian brands of curtains, draperies and custom decorations, with 30 franchise stores in the country and the USA, enters the Spanish market. The Romanian company focuses on developing its network of franchises and micro-franchises in the Balearic islands of Mallorca and Ibiza, but also in Barcelona, through the diaspora, ​​in the context of a high potential of the HoReCa and residential real estate segments in these areas.

The entry into the Spanish market is supported by The Confident Group, an independent integrated communication cluster, which offers strategic communication consulting to Romanian companies and franchises that want to expand in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands.

Founded in Iasi in 2004, Sophia has constantly expanded in several regions of the country, reaching 30 own and franchise stores in key cities. The company also has a franchise in the US, in Miami, and continues its international development in Europe.

Currently, Sophia offers two business concepts – the Sophia franchise and micro-franchise, respectively.

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In addition to the possibility of franchising, which involves opening a brick-and-mortar store under the Sophia Romania brand, in the fall of 2023, the Romanian company launched a new line of business – micro-franchising. With an investment of 5000 euros, architects, designers, and interior design enthusiasts can become partners without opening a physical store. They get a complete set of fabric samples and need a customized machine with the Sophia brand.

“Entering a new country is important for developing the company and the Sophia brand. Spain has a culture closer to Romania’s and a market with high potential in hospitality and real estate development. In the early stage, we enter the Spanish market through a franchise with a range of products suited to the minimalist style and consumption behavior of Spaniards and expats. Our focus is especially on sales to HoReCa, and Mallorca, Ibiza, and Barcelona have a high potential in this segment. Still, we also address interior designers for the real estate segment and final consumers”, declares Anamaria Georgescu, founder of Sophia.

The expansion in Spain represents a strategic opportunity for the company, given the continued development of the HoReCa and residential real estate and rental sectors and the consequent increased demand for high-quality products and services in interior decoration.

“We are excited to facilitate the entry of Romanian and regional companies and franchises into such a dynamic and promising market as Spain. Our focus and expertise are mainly directed towards Barcelona and the Balearic Islands. We believe these two destinations are a gateway to the European market and a launching pad in the West. We have the necessary know-how resources to support companies in reaching their maximum potential and expanding their influence in a competitive and cosmopolitan economic environment,” says Mara Gojgar, founder of The Confident Group.

An important step in the decision to enter the Spanish market was the presence of Anamaria Georgescu and Mara Gojgar at the Repatriot conference held during the economic mission in Barcelona and the Balearic Islands organized by the Romanian Embassy in Spain.

This economic mission represented an opportunity to present the franchising solutions that Sophia is launching for Romanians in the diaspora, based on the expertise of a Sophia franchise in Miami, USA. As part of the economic mission, Anamaria Georgescu participated in productive meetings with consuls, mayors, and other influential personalities. The discussions focused on promoting and supporting the economic mission of Romanian entrepreneurs, both from Spain and Romania. This initiative aims to strengthen commercial ties and increase the visibility of Romanian businesses in the Spanish market.