Small store
About this good practice
In many regions of the Czech Republic, there is a long-standing problem of rural areas, which are not visited by tourists and are far from the main centres, that it is not economically worthwhile to operate basic food stores, because the number of customers is small. These shops are closing and the elderly people are having problems buying basic groceries. The program aims to support the operators of these small local shops so that they can run the business without permanent losses, with the necessary level of profit.
The "Small Store" support program for small stores in the countryside supports operational financing of stores, it is financed from funds provided by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic.
The aim is to maintain retail operations in municipalities with less than 1,000 inhabitants or in municipalities up to 3000 inhabitants, whose local parts have less than 1000 inhabitants and in whose territory there is a maximum of one retail store belonging to CZ-NACE 47.11 Retail sale in non-specialized stores with food, beverages or tobacco predominating.
Stakeholders and beneficiaries of the practice: people living in small municipalities, small municipalities and small businesses in retail sale in countryside.
Resources needed
Financial resources depends on the number of small retail stores supported (maximum for 1 applicant is 100 000,- CZK ,i.e. ca. €4 100,-). The process can implement 2 people for one half of a year.
Evidence of success
The practice is considered as good, because it is helpful and directly aimed at entrepreneurs, who can use the saved funds to innovate their business. But the results of the practice are not evaluated yet.
Potential for learning or transfer
The practice may be potentially interesting for remote or mountainous rural regions where there is a critical shortage of small grocery stores. The financial support of the practice was offered by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Czech Republic to all regions in Czech Republic and most of them the good practice in 2021/2022 implemented.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.