Baltic Export, Baltic States – CIS, Latvia, Markets and Companies

"The Madara brand has much potential in Russia, we believe, because natural cosmetics are only just beginning to rise in popularity there. Our cooperation partners observe that there has been no prejudice against products made in Latvia," said Rozenberga.

"Green cosmetics" are not yet popular in Russia, therefore the Russian market is a great challenge to Madara , Rozenberga informs. "We chose a business couple as our cooperation partners because of their experience in the cosmetics business. They are supporters of "green life" themselves, and will try to convert their compatriots, too," she said.

The first Madara  store in Russia is located at Russia's largest shopping mall "Zolotoi Vavilon", that is 27 square kilometers in area and opened on November 18 last year. "Our cooperation partners are planning to open one more Madara store in Moscow in 2010," said Rozenberga.

Madara is rather picky about the location of its stores. "Anyone who wishes to open a franchise store must inform us about the potential location of the store, the popularity of the shopping center, customer flows and a few other very important things," said Rozenberga.

Madara is not planning to open new stores in Latvia at the moment, Rozenberga added. On the other hand, the number of Madara stores in other countries – Russia, Lithuania, Portugal and Spain – could increase to five this year, informs LETA.

"We expect this year to be very productive and exciting, because we will start to produce and export new products, open new franchise stores, and try to export the radius of exports by starting to cooperate with the United States and Canada," said Rozenberga.

Madara Cosmetics profit in 2008 totaled LVL 712, whereas in 2007 the company earned LVL 21,210 in profit.