iSTYLE has merged with m:zone, expanding its network to six stores in Slovakia and 64 in Central and Eastern Europe
Merger of companies creates a significant Apple Premium Reseller on the Slovak market
iSTYLE and established Slovakian Apple Premium Reseller m:zone have merged their operations in the country and now operate six branches in Bratislava, Zilina and Trencin under the iSTYLE brand. iSTYLE is the biggest Apple Premium Reseller in Central and Eastern Europe with nine Apple Premium Partner stores in the five countries where it operates. Owner and CEO of m:zone, Branislav Rentka, has become the new general manager of iSTYLE Slovakia.
m:zone has been operating on the Slovak market since 1996 and had three premium stores in the Aupark and Eurovea centers in Bratislava and the Aupark center in Žilina. This trio now complement the original Slovak iSTYLE stores in Bratislava’s OC Central and Bory Mall and the Trenčín store in OC Laugaricio.
The combination of companies thus creates a significant Apple Premium Reseller on the Slovak market, offering Apple devices and a wide selection of accessories, but also professional advice for retail and corporate customers, a wide range of financing options and, last but not least, a top shopping experience in the best place to discover the Apple ecosystem with the help of a full team of specialists, trained at Apple standards.
“The combination of the two brands is the result of long-term mutual respect and at the same time the fulfilment of a common vision to offer customers in Slovakia the best possible availability of stores and even better services” explains Branislav Rentka, the new CEO of iSTYLE SK.
“Together, under the iSTYLE brand, we can now synergistically use the strengths of both companies and facilitate the path to Apple devices for a much wider range of end customers, entrepreneurs and companies. Nothing changes for existing m:zone employees, and the merger will have no effect on the operation of existing branches” added Branislav Rentka.
The two teams have merged to form one team with the aim of providing outstanding customer experience. And the whole iSTYLE SK team is now under the leadership of local management together with CEO Branislav Rentka.
“Slovakia is a market with attractive purchasing power, high growth potential and at the same time a market where monobrand stores have a strong position. As the entire Central and Eastern European market is strategic for us, strengthening our position on the Slovak market was a natural step for us. With its nearly thirty-year tradition and excellent knowledge of the local market, m:zone is a great partner for us,” said Casaba Gyarmati, iSTYLE Regional Manager for CEE, explaining the reasoning behind the connection.
Loyalty program, better online shop, and new stores with the elevated Apple Premium Partner status
As part of the merger, all customers can benefit from iSTYLE’s loyalty programme and seamless online shopping on istyle.sk. Shoppers now have access to a wider sales network. Exclusive stores in attractive locations, with carefully trained staff and services such as trade-ins, in-store pickups or secure financing for both personal and business purchases have become closer. The commercial obligations of m:zone have been transferred to iSTYLE and customers have no need to worry about any potential warranty issues.
iSTYLE’s ambition for the future now involves continuous growth across segments, both in the area of sales to end customers and also in the B2B area, where iSTYLE is already very strong across markets. The company provides not only sales, but also equipment financing and their subsequent implementation in accordance with the individual needs of companies, both in the field of small and medium-sized companies, as well as large corporations and institutions. As early as next year, the company wants to substantially increase turnover, open new locations, and at the same time expand the network of stores with the highest Apple Premium Partner status, which bring their shopping standard closer to the iconic Apple Store.
More about iSTYLE
iSTYLE, part of the Midis Group, is the largest network of Apple Premium retail stores in nine countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Currently the company has 131 stores, of which 64 are located in the Central and Eastern European region and 30 in the Middle East. The network of the Spanish sister company K-Tuin consists of another 40 stores.
