Razvitak

Razvitak

Company type	Trading company
Industry	Retail, wholesale, catering, tourism development
Founded	April 23, 1947 (1947-04-23) in Metković, Croatia
Headquarters	Metković , Croatia
Area served	Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia, Montenegro (former SFR Yugoslavia)
Number of employees	150+ (1980s)

Razvitak emerged as a significant regional trading company established in Metković, Croatia, shortly after World War II, during the period when Croatia was part of Yugoslavia.

Background

Following the arrival of the Yugoslav Partisans in Metković at the end of 1944, the KOTNAPROD (District Procurement and Sales Company) was formed. This entity later became a subdivision of GLAVNOPROD (Main Purchasing and Sales Company of Croatia) based in Zagreb. By late 1944, the Metković branch had transformed into a General Trading Company.

The foundation of Razvitak

On April 23, 1947, the Metković District People's Board officially established Razvitak. Initially, it concentrated on retailing foodstuffs and industrial goods within the local district. The company began operations with a workforce of 10, which doubled within its first year. Early diversification included ventures into catering, butchery, bakery, and transportation services; by 1950, hospitality and transport sectors became autonomous, while Razvitak operated as a trading company managing 12 outlets and employing 60 staff members. The introduction of a free supply and demand market in 1951 significantly propelled its expansion. By 1953, Razvitak primarily served as a wholesaler as retail enterprises branched off independently.

Capital facilities

Razvitak established representative offices initially in Zagreb, later extending to Belgrade, Sarajevo, and Ljubljana. Its retail network spanned across SFR Yugoslavia with notable presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Procurement activities were concentrated in Slavonia, northwestern Croatia, Dalmatia, and Slovenia, while sales efforts targeted Dalmatia, the Zagreb area, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro.

As a pioneer in retail innovation, Razvitak inaugurated its first supermarket in Metković in 1962, following Croatia’s initial self-service store opened in Ivanec in 1956. Additional supermarkets were launched throughout coastal towns and Herzegovina, significantly contributing to the growth of local tourism.

In 1968, Razvitak initiated construction of its inaugural department store in Mostar. The project was designed by Ante Paljaga and executed by GP Vranica from Sarajevo.

Building on the success in Mostar, Razvitak devised plans for a multi-stage department store complex in Metković. The development was intended to include retail areas, a tavern, hotel accommodations with 160 beds, catering services, a multifunctional hall, and sports facilities. However, only the initial phase comprising a department store and tavern was realized. Construction commenced in 1979 and was completed by mid-1981 under the architectural guidance of Ante Paljaga and Slobodan Kovač. The design incorporated local climatic features such as a roof inspired by inverted Neretva boats. GP Tehnogradnja from Split handled the building works. The department store offered a sales floor of 4,500 m² alongside 1,500 m² of storage space. Upon opening on July 27, 1981, it employed approximately 100 workers initially, growing to over 150 employees later on. Catering facilities followed soon after; however, a nightclub planned for the complex never materialized.

Expanding its scope into tourism development, Razvitak created the Klek Tourist Village featuring 531 beds. This included a B-category hotel with 93 beds alongside numerous bungalows and villas. Amenities comprised restaurants seating 160 guests, self-service dining for 150 guests, a terrace accommodating 400 people, a coffee bar-pastry shop, disco club, retail outlets, sports fields, and a clinic. The construction was carried out by GP Beton from Metković and the village officially opened on July 12, 1986.