Skupina COOP

Lukáš Němčík is Vice Chairman of the Board at Skupina COOP, a complex and far-reaching organization overseeing individual consumer cooperatives across the Czech Republic. With nearly 180 years of history, Skupina COOP operates more than 2,400 grocery stores and additional services nationwide. Němčík is responsible for innovation, digitization, marketing, cooperation with government authorities and international partnerships. He leads centralized projects implemented both internally and with external partners. Under his leadership, departments negotiate with stakeholders, define conditions and deliver practical, scalable solutions grounded in real customer and member collaboration.

Fostering Change While Preserving Core Values

Our most effective strategy has been staying grounded by avoiding initiatives driven primarily by PR or advertising and instead focusing on actions rooted in real-world needs. We aim to develop and implement projects first in small towns and smaller operations. If they succeed there, we know they can scale and thrive in larger settings.

We also make it a priority to consult with our members and customers, valuing their input at every stage. For example, when considering the introduction of gas stations, we asked what they would find most beneficial. The response was clear—they wanted more affordable refueling and that became our focus.

Striking the right balance between urgency and flexibility is often what distinguishes successful organizations from those that fall behind

Using Innovation to Strengthen, Not Replace, Customer Bonds

We are built on the principle of sustainability, which we believe must be rooted in local production, consumption and employment. Our goal is to combine technology with humanity. Rather than creating purely mechanical solutions, we focus on integrating the human element, ensuring that people maintain personal contact and social interaction within their communities.

Many companies prioritize the technical side of innovation without considering its personal impact. But often, it’s not about reinventing everything from scratch. Sometimes, the best approach is to return to the roots and improve what already exists.

Navigating Retail Innovation without Losing Sight of the Customer

Our journey to becoming a leader in innovation has been complex and is still ongoing. It is a process that never ends but shows that it can achieve interesting successes. Testing is the foundation, rooted in the willingness to experiment and learn from the process. Many companies focus on creating perfect solutions, but in doing so, they often lose momentum, motivation and genuine interest. Striking the right balance between urgency and flexibility is often what distinguishes successful organizations from those that fall behind.

Turning Skepticism into Momentum for Digital Change

One of the most important steps is finding a few allies and enthusiasts within your organization who will support your efforts and help implement change. This is often the most difficult part, as gaining enough internal support can be challenging. It’s equally important not to get discouraged. This principle applies to both small and large companies. In fact, large organizations often face even greater challenges due to their complexity, making it difficult for even a dedicated group to drive change. Still, it is possible. Personally, I take it as a compliment that even larger international competitors look to us for inspiration.