Czech Post is hoping to franchise around 200 of its smaller branches over the next two years, Martin Elkán, the company’s general director, said in an interview with Czech Television. Czech Post had previously considered shutting dozens of its unprofitable locations around the country, but the plan was heavily criticized. Elkán said that while that option is currently off the table, the company still needs to find other ways to maintain its profit margins.
In addition to franchising some of its branches, Czech Post recently floated the idea of allowing post offices in small villages with no local pharmacies to take orders for over-the-counter medicines and vitamins. The Czech Pharmacy Chamber, however, is not in favor of this move.
