Retail chain dm has marked 30 years of operations in Croatia, launching a year-long celebration focused on customers, employees and community engagement.
The anniversary was officially commemorated on Thursday, February 26, signaling the beginning of a series of activities and initiatives that will continue throughout the year.
From a Single Store to a National Presence
dm opened its first Croatian store on May 9, 1996, in the Dubrava district of Zagreb. What began as a modest retail space has since grown into one of the country’s leading drugstore chains, with 180 stores nationwide and more than 2,200 employees, along with its central service hub, the dm dialogicum, in Zagreb.
Over the past three decades, the company has introduced several retail innovations to the Croatian market. These include credit card payments in the 1990s, the introduction of over-the-counter medical products in 2008, and, most recently, the development of its own parcel locker network in 2026. Today, dm also operates an online shop, a mobile application used by more than 400,000 customers, parcel lockers and eco refill stations.
“Almost thirty years have passed since we were stocking shelves and unloading equipment at the Dubrava market,” said Mirko Mrakužić, Director of dm Croatia. “Today, we are 2,294 employees, and our products are available to all residents of Croatia. Our business has changed fundamentally, but the foundation of our success remains the same — our employees.”
Mrakužić emphasized that dm’s leadership position is not defined by size alone, but by its corporate philosophy, which places people and community at the center of its operations.
Looking Toward the Future
During the anniversary gathering, employees and partners reflected on dm’s early days and its influence on consumer habits in Croatia. Attention then turned to the future and a new initiative titled “Passion for the Future,” designed to highlight individuals, associations and institutions whose work contributes to a better society.
Throughout its anniversary year, dm plans to focus on community support, offering various surprises, benefits and gifts to customers as a gesture of appreciation for three decades of loyalty.
Entering its fourth decade in Croatia, dm says it remains committed to investment, innovation and social responsibility. The company currently holds the position of leading drugstore retailer in Croatia and has been named Employer of First Choice 16 consecutive times.
With continued investment in both business development and community projects, dm says it aims to remain a trusted partner to customers and a driver of positive change in the years ahead.