How did we start a grocery delivery business in Bulgaria?

At the end of 2021, my wife and I realized it was time for changes and new beginnings. We started exploring various alternatives. That same year, we had the opportunity to travel to Bulgaria, the country where I was born, and we decided to analyze what untapped niches exist in this market.

Bulgaria— this is a small state at the crossroads of Western and Eastern Europe, which has always remained somewhat in the shadow of larger economies, sometimes lagging behind in development. This creates unique opportunities for entrepreneurs seeking new possibilities.

During our research of the local market, we noticed that the level of service was significantly below expectations. The situation resembled the 90s in Russia: there are offers in the market, but access to them is often difficult. Soon we made a decision: we packed our things and moved to Bulgaria in January 2022.

We started assembling a team to implement our project, contemplating technological solutions and growth strategies for our company. This is how the story of our grocery delivery business in Sofia began, which we namedWooop, the equivalent of the Russian“Samokat”We have been working for almost a year and a half now.

We launched our business six months after moving. Our first one opened at the end of July or the beginning of August.darkstore— a special type of warehouse designed for preparing goods for online orders and their subsequent delivery. During this period, we have already started receiving feedback on our work, which helped identify our weaknesses, as well as understand what can be improved and what steps need to be taken to enhance efficiency.

As for the company registration, the process of preparing the documents for my wife went very quickly. We were able to prepare all the necessary papers in just one week, and three weeks later we received...residence permitFor me, it was important not to waste time: it's better to spend the first few weeks dealing with bureaucratic issues than to face a lot of difficulties later on.

I strongly recommend that all Russians planning to move update and obtain apostilles for all important documents in advance, including certified copies of diplomas.

Business Park Sofia (BPS)It is the largest office complex in Central and Eastern Europe and the first of its kind in Bulgaria. As a Bulgarian who is fluent in the language, the process of relocating and starting a business became quite simple and clear for me. Everything went quickly and smoothly, and we were able to adapt to the new environment without difficulty and quickly integrate into the business community.

Changes in Bulgaria over two decades

In the last two decades, Bulgaria has changed significantly as part of the European Union, but the level of digital transformation still does not reach the indicators of Russia. In countries where electronic document circulation is absent, entrepreneurs face the necessity of personal trips to various institutions.

Recovery of attorney fees

I didn't try to solve this issue on my own and preferred to use the services of lawyers, which cost me about 250 euros. These specialists took care of all the necessary paperwork.

Limited options for organizing a business

It is important to note that there are a limited number of business structures available in Bulgaria. Entrepreneurs can choose only two registration options:

• Limited Liability Company (LLC)
• Open Joint-Stock Company (OJSC)

There is no equivalent to individual entrepreneurship or other similar forms here. The same applies to tax registration — there are no alternative systems or favorable examples.

The process of starting a business

Starting a business here is quite intuitive. First, you will need a local tax number, which is similar to the Russian INN. Next, you need to register the company in your name, specifying the authorized capital, which can start from as little as one lev.

All necessary documents are submitted to the state registry, which may be open for public access. You can check information about owners, managers, and other important details on your own. The registration process itself takes only a few days.

Opening a bank account

After that, the entrepreneur needs to open a bank account, which also requires their personal visit to the bank. In fact, the banking sector in Bulgaria is at an early stage of digitalization, and many procedures still require being present at the bank branch.

After several visits to the offices and signing all the necessary documents, you will be able to start your activities.

The potential for small and medium-sized businesses

In Bulgaria, there are quite a few opportunities for the development of small and medium-sized businesses. However, it is noticeable that locals rarely prefer to organize their own ventures. More often, they seek help from professionals who are willing to address the issues that arise for a reasonable fee.

The reasons for such an approach can vary: it is boththe mentality of Southerners, andcultural traditionsIn Russia, the practice of self-representation in legal matters is quite common.

The necessity of an accountant

Furthermore, it is important to emphasize that having an accountant is essential for doing business in Bulgaria. This can be an employee of your company or a representative from a specialized accounting firm with which you will enter into an agreement.

Even if your company is currently not engaged in active operations and submits zero reports, you are required to provide documents prepared by a professional. The director is prohibited from independently preparing and signing financial reports.

Challenges for entrepreneurs

In conclusion, we can highlight the main challenges faced by novice entrepreneurs. If certain questions arise, a sensible solution would be to seek advice from consulting firms or lawyers who can provide the necessary clarifications for a reasonable fee.

Investing significant efforts and time resources sometimes yields only minor results. However, on the European stage, there are funds ready to support promising startups and interesting business ideas. Thus, you have the opportunity to launch new projects and expect funding, with initial amounts starting from 25,000 euros. The maximum support directly depends on the nature of the project, especially in the field of technology. Bulgaria is experiencing a significant shortage of both projects and qualified IT specialists working in the local market.

Investment opportunities in Sofia

As an example, we can mention commercial real estate in Sofia, with a price reaching 8,900,000 euros. For instance, a water park is up for sale, located just 25 kilometers from the capital of Bulgaria. This complex includes:

• five restaurants,
• seven pools,
• hotel rooms,
• lake for fishing,
• a small zoo,
• a variety of entertainment attractions for children and adults.

The total area of this property is 89,559 square meters, of which 34,684 square meters are privately owned, and 27,962 square meters...

Apartments for sale

Immotrading GmbH is offering an apartment for sale in Sofia with an area of 75 square meters for the price of 136,350 euros. This residential property is perfect for rental. The capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, has a new elite residential complex that includes:

• modern conveniences,
• entertainment venues,
• developed infrastructure, including business parks,
• large shopping centers,
• grocery stores,
• educational institutions and medical facilities.

The ski resort "Vitosha" is just a ten-minute drive away.

Other suggestions

Another interesting offer is an apartment measuring 76 square meters for 134,568 euros in the prestigious Malinova Dolina area, known for its high living standards. This area features:

• large business parks,
• the shopping centers "Ring Mall" and "Paradise Center"
• a wide range of goods and services, including one of the largest furniture retail networks in the world.

The company MG Group is offering for sale apartments with an area of 59 square meters in Sofia for 120,000 euros. This is a brand new property that can be considered an investment in the capital's real estate market.

Features of Bulgaria

A comparative analysis of Bulgaria shows that it is a country of contrasts and paradoxes. Locals can sometimes exhibit unexpected behavior that defies logic. We observe similar phenomena within our business as well. Unfortunately, the level of service in some areas is significantly below expectations. We proposed an interesting solution for the local market — fast and free delivery, but we notice that the number of requests is not as high as we would like. Despite the interest from customers, many of them are not in a hurry to fully utilize the internet.

Economic situation

On one hand, Bulgaria is striving for active growth and development, but on the other hand, there is no noticeable urgency in the domestic market. The region's economy largely depends on the export of its services, and all high-class specialists and their offerings are mainly focused on foreign markets and clients from other countries.

Conclusion

In conclusion to our journey of starting a business in Bulgaria, I realize that this experience has been not only professional but also personal for us. Every stage, from market analysis to finding the right team, has been a true challenge and a source of immense knowledge. We made our choice based on the unique opportunities that this country offers, and our confidence that the grocery delivery services were underdeveloped pushed us to take action.

The opening of our business is not just about creating another company; it's an opportunity to bring something new to the market, and I am glad to see the positive changes we have been able to implement in the service sector. Undoubtedly, we faced certain challenges, such as bureaucracy and the need to work through specialists, but as experience shows, each problem only deepened our determination and commitment to the cause. Thanks to the knowledge gained from personal experience and the support of our team, we have overcome many barriers.

Key aspects of doing business in Bulgaria

• The need to adapt to local conditions.
• Working with professionals such as accountants and lawyers.
• Key services for successful business management.

It is important to note that doing business in Bulgaria requires adaptation and an understanding of local specifics.BudgetingThe use of professionals, such as accountants and lawyers, has become the key to our success. I have seen how this practice allows us to focus on the important aspects of the business, such asservice improvementandexpanding the client base.

Creating a community and future prospects

Finally, throughout this journey, we realized that doing business is not just about profit, but about building a community. We strive for the Wooop platform to become not just another delivery service, but a place where customers can feel comfortable knowing that their needs and interests come first. This experience has opened my eyes to many opportunities, and I look forward to what the future will bring us.

Believe in your ideasand let them become a reality, as it has already happened to us.