Alma M News

Muarem Murtezani: Our goal is setting standards

The company “Alma-M” was founded in 1991 in Skopje as an import and export company for consumer goods.In 1996, it gained the opportunity to import, distribute, and sell products from the company “Wrigley.” Later, it began performing this function in the territory of Kosovo as well. In 2006, it became the distributor for North Macedonia…

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The company “Alma-M” was founded in 1991 in Skopje as an import and export company for consumer goods.
In 1996, it gained the opportunity to import, distribute, and sell products from the company “Wrigley.” Later, it began performing this function in the territory of Kosovo as well. In 2006, it became the distributor for North Macedonia for the global food company “Nestlé,” and in 2010, it took over the distribution of “Nestlé” ice creams. Today, the company continues to grow in the markets of North Macedonia and Kosovo, introducing new standards in everything it does.

Building a successful company requires linking several key components that ensure stability and strength for all future steps. All steps are causally connected, but each next step must be bold enough and guided by a clear vision in order to achieve the desired goals.
“Alma-M” is a company steadily moving toward fulfilling its vision: to become the largest and most successful company in North Macedonia for distribution, sales, and logistics of consumer goods.
It proves this daily through actively following and investing in new business technologies, investing in spatial capacities, and most importantly—investing in its employees on a daily basis.

We talked about this very path to success, which is truly fascinating and almost story-like, as well as about the company’s future plans, with the director and owner of “Alma-M,” Muarem Murtezani.

At the celebration of the 20th anniversary of “Alma-M,” a video was promoted that showcased your journey to success and the realization of your vision to build a successful company. Briefly, can you describe the transition from a boy with vision and enthusiasm to the person you are today?

At the 20th anniversary of “Alma-M,” a video was shown that depicted my journey from a boy with vision and enthusiasm to a successful businessman, highlighting several key moments—otherwise, the video would have lasted too long.

What’s most important throughout that entire journey—and what the video aimed to capture—is imagination and logic. With imagination, we can see the clear goal we are moving toward. Imagination is a powerful tool; we just need to give it a chance, and the possibilities become limitless.

Logic, on the other hand, is what guides us along the right path to the goal—step by step, from point A to point B. But the first step must be taken.

That was also the purpose of the video: to encourage all young people to take that first step toward achieving their goals. Even the longest journey begins with a single step. No matter how far the destination may seem or how small that first step is—it still needs to be taken.

Just like in my case: from herding sheep, to driving a tractor, then a truck, and so on.

Since then, you’ve worked hard, and your latest investments are several of your hard discount stores in the territory of Kosovo. How did the idea to open markets specifically in Kosovo come about, and do you plan to expand to North Macedonia as well?

“Alma-M” is a company that has already been proven and recognized in the field of distribution, and it needed something new—a new challenge, a new mental exercise… Since the development of so-called private labels is already on the rise in the West, after conducting certain analyses and research, we believed it would be interesting to develop and promote this concept in our region (the Balkans).

Just to clarify, this refers to the concept of unbranded products with the same or similar quality as established brands, but at a much lower price. And since “Alma-M” is a company that always strives to be the first, to set the standards and pave the way for others, the decision was made to open the markets first in Kosovo, where the concept of hard discount stores is still relatively unknown.

In fact, “Alma-M” is a pioneer of this concept in the territory of Kosovo, which adds an extra layer of challenge for us.

Of course, the story won’t end there—the markets will certainly be present in Albania and North Macedonia as well.

Can you compare the markets in Kosovo and North Macedonia? How different are Macedonian consumers from those in Kosovo?

In my assessment, there is a noticeable difference between Macedonian and Kosovar consumers. For example, the most obvious difference lies in their shopping habits, particularly in terms of the type of retail outlets they prefer. Kosovar consumers tend to shop more in large markets located outside of residential areas, whereas Macedonian consumers still primarily shop in small neighborhood stores within the communities where they live.

How satisfied are you with Alma-M’s revenue in the first three quarters of 2012? What are your forecasts for the last quarter based on the results so far?

In our company, we use two metrics to measure our development: organic and physical growth. I am pleased to say that, as always, we are seeing steady growth in both aspects throughout 2012.

Do you believe that the market share of your products in the Macedonian market is at a satisfactory level?

From the standpoint of product presence on the Macedonian market, we are absolutely satisfied. As for consumption, our efforts and activities are aimed at continuously increasing it, even though the current level is already satisfactory.

STUDY VISITS AND SUCCESS STORIES FROM THE HEAD OF THE ALMA M COMPANY, MR. MUAREM MURTEZANI FOR UNT STUDENTS

Kovačevski Visited the Company "Alma-M"