Reitan Convenience Lithuania CEO, Saulius Zilenas: Caffeine, EV and convenience in Lithuania

The latest episode of The Future of Convenience takes listeners to Lithuania, a country with a rapidly growing economy and a unique convenience retail landscape. Hosts Dan Munford, Carolyn Schnare and guest Saulius Zilenas, CEO of Reitan Convenience Lithuania, jump into the dynamic retail market and innovative strategies behind the company’s success.

Reitan Convenience Lithuania operates two standout brands: Narvesen, a leading convenience store chain, and Caffeine, a pioneer in Lithuania’s café scene. Caffeine, the country’s number one coffee brand, has expanded significantly, doubling its outlets since 2022. This growth comes with a focus on community-centric locations, including hospitals, residential areas, and even ice arenas. “Each of our cafeterias is unique, reflecting local character while maintaining our signature quality,” Saulius explains, underlining their commitment to design and authenticity.  He also adds that “Competition is really high here,” emphasizing the adaptability and openness of Lithuanian consumers to novel offerings.

In a well-publicized move, Reitan Convenience is venturing into highway retail with a groundbreaking EV hub concept. Scheduled to launch soon, the hub will combine Narvesen and Caffeine under one roof, offering a seamless experience for EV drivers and travelers alike. Saulius describes this project as a significant step: “We’re not just serving EV drivers; we’re creating a destination for all customers, ensuring a positive experience while the EV market matures.”

Saulius looks forward to ushering in Lithuania’s EV mobility revolution with this new blend of fresh food offerings alongside strategic franchise expansion.

The Future of Convenience is a bi-weekly podcast focusing on the future of global convenience, fuels and mobility retail. New episodes air every other Friday and are available on your favorite podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Be sure to subscribe to be the first to hear every new episode!