Croatian brand Lonci & Poklopci by Bajde wins prestigious GIA award in the USA

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ZAGREB, March 30, 2026 – Croatian specialized retail brand Lonci & Poklopci by Bajde has achieved a significant international success by winning the Global Innovation Award for the Eastern Europe region, one of the most prestigious global recognitions for retail excellence in the housewares and home goods sector.

The award is presented by the International Housewares Association as part of the world’s largest housewares trade show, The Inspired Home Show, and is considered a global benchmark of excellence in the retail industry.

The Global Innovation Awards program has been running since 2000 and has recognized more than 600 retailers from over 60 countries, making it one of the most relevant international accolades in its field.

The competition is conducted in two stages. Depending on the size of the market, awards are first granted at the national level and then at the regional level.

Croatia competes within the Eastern Europe region alongside countries such as the Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Slovenia. National winners then advance to the global finals in Chicago, where an international jury selects the best retail concepts in the world.

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The expert jury, composed of international retail professionals and editors of industry publications, evaluates several criteria including business strategy and vision, store design, product presentation, marketing activities, customer experience, and the level of innovation within the business model.

The journey began a few months after attending last year’s trade show, when representatives of the International Housewares Association recognized Lonci & Poklopci by Bajde as a compelling candidate and encouraged them to apply.

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The award was commented on by the owner, Silvio Bajde, who emphasized that it represents validation of years of dedicated work and a clear development strategy.

“We see this recognition as confirmation that a systematic approach, investment in knowledge, and a focus on quality pay off in the long term. In recent years, we have been intensively developing our own brand Grill King, which covers a wide range of indoor and outdoor kitchen equipment. Achievements like this further confirm that we are moving in the right direction. I look forward to the continued expansion of the brand and I am particularly proud that we have demonstrated it is possible to succeed globally from Croatia in such a competitive industry. The GIA award is considered the equivalent of a European Oscar for retail excellence, and to date, no company in Croatia has received it,” said Bajde.

The Lonci & Poklopci by Bajde brand has been recording stable and continuous growth and is systematically developing its franchise model as a key tool for expansion.

Jerzy Osika – consultant, Renato Gašparić (Lonci&Poklopci), Henrik Peter Reisby Nielsen – judge (Photo: Supplied)

It currently operates through nine locations in Croatia, as well as one franchise unit in Slovenia and one in Montenegro. Interest in joining the franchise system is also coming from other international markets, and the management is announcing further regional and international expansion, with a focus on neighboring countries and markets that show strong potential for the development of specialized retail franchise concepts.

Renato Gašparić (Lonci&Poklopci) and Jerzy Osika (Photo: Supplied)

The brand received the Eastern Europe award in person in the United States, during the global finals in Chicago, where the best retail concepts from around the world gathered.

Participation in this prestigious event further strengthens the position of Lonci & Poklopci by Bajde as one of the most promising regional retail concepts with global ambitions.