One of the most successful sports clothing and equipment retailers in Serbia, Planeta Sport, which has more than 100 shops across the country, had a well-established sales network both instore and online. The company sought assistance from the EU and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to improve communication with its customers by investing in new digital tools. The changes enabled by the project together with EU and EBRD funding came at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, just when most businesses needed to make a rapid shift to online working.

The project entailed the creation of a digital strategy and the implementation of new marketing and communication software. To achieve this, Planeta Sport needed external assistance. The company then contacted the EBRD’s Advice for Small Businesses programme, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises by connecting them with experts who provide advice and know-how. The programme covers a wide range of areas including strategy, operations, quality management, financial reporting, energy efficiency and more. It is funded by the European Union and has already supported hundreds of businesses in Serbia.