SPC Chairman Huh Jin-soo outlined plans to seek new sales channels in Eastern Europe at the recent Paris Baguette leadership conference in Prague, Czech Republic
A Paris Baguette store in Paris’ Montparnasse neighbourhood | Photo credit: SPC Group
South Korea’s SPC Group is exploring opportunities to launch Paris Baguette in the Czech Republic as part of wider plans to broaden the reach of the bakery-café in Europe.
At the company’s Paris Baguette Europe Leadership Conference in Prague on 19-21 September 2024, SPC Group President Huh Jin-soo said the business was keen to enter Eastern Europe as part of a wider strategy to expand its global footprint and secure new sales channels.
Founded in 1988, Paris Baguette’s European presence currently comprises six stores in France and three in the UK. In March 2024, SPC Group announced plans to expand its licensing deal with Caffè Pascucci to launch Paris Baguette in Italy.
In a press release, SPC Group said Huh also held meetings with Czech financial authorities and the government-founded Czech Investment Agency during his visit to Prague to discuss current investment trends and the feasibility of introducing K-bakery concepts to the region.
“Through this economic delegation, I expect that it will be an opportunity to introduce K-food to the Eastern European market and open up new markets,” Huh said.
Founded in South Korea in 1988, Paris Baguette currently operates 3,750 stores in South Korea and more than 500 outlets across 11 international markets, primarily in East Asia.