Traficon expands its network with Mini and larger stores

As it marks its 30th anniversary, Traficon is developing two distinct store formats. The smaller Mini concept is intended to help the brand enter locations where there is not enough space for a standard branch. At the other end of the scale, it has opened its largest store to date on Charles Square (Karlovo náměstí) in Prague. For those considering the Czech franchise market, another important point is that network expansion is being accompanied by the refurbishment of older shops and the offer of fully equipped stores for franchise partners.

Mini aims to open up new locations

Traficon, part of DT Holding, specialises in daily newspapers, nicotine products and alternatives, alongside ancillary services. It aims to open further stores primarily in places where it does not yet operate. One vehicle for this expansion is the new Traficon Mini concept, presented in an article published by Franchising.cz on 5 October 2026.

The format is designed for small to medium-sized retail premises. It is aimed particularly at locations with high footfall but insufficient space for a standard store. The first branch of this type opened on Chelčického Street in Prague’s Žižkov district. The brand plans to open around 15 more Mini stores in 2026.

According to Traficon, the concept is not intended to be a scaled-down shop offering customers only part of its usual range. Instead, the company presents it as a way of adapting to the space available at a particular location, rather than a reduced version of its service. However, the planned openings remain just that: the stated number should not be confused with branches already trading.

For prospective partners, the relationship between location and format is particularly important. Mini broadens the range of premises the brand can consider for expansion. A smaller footprint alone, however, says nothing about the terms of a particular partnership offer or the financial viability of an individual store.

The largest branch opens on Charles Square

Alongside its compact format, Traficon has also demonstrated the opposite approach. According to a report published by Médiář on 1 October, it has opened a store covering more than 150 square metres on Charles Square in Prague. This is the largest branch in the network to date. It occupies premises that previously housed a Sony store for 30 years.

The change of tenant involved more than replacing the sign on the façade. The interior underwent a complete refit, including new wiring and flooring. The new branch offers the chain’s full product range and also operates as an Iqos partner store. This includes servicing and the opportunity to try devices free of charge. The partnership with Philip Morris ČR is reflected in both the interior and the external signage.

The two formats therefore respond to different space constraints. While Mini targets locations where a standard branch would not fit, Charles Square represents a larger store with the full range and partner services. This does not, however, mean that every future branch will adopt the same layout or scope of services.

Expansion goes hand in hand with refits and technology trials

Traficon reached the milestone of 250 stores this year. Its 250th branch opened in May in Říčany, less than a year after its 200th store opened in Libochovice. Alongside adding new locations, the company has been refurbishing older shops in line with its new concept in recent years. It also introduced the Traficon Club loyalty programme in 2026.

Financial figures published by Médiář provide further context for the network’s scale: Traficon Tobacco Retail recorded turnover of more than CZK 3 billion in 2024 and served over 13 million customers. These are company-wide figures, not the results of an individual franchise store. When assessing a specific partnership, they should therefore not be read as a promise of how a new branch will perform.

Modernisation also includes pilot projects using artificial intelligence and advanced analytics. In partnership with technology company Hikvision, the chain is testing anonymous analysis of customer movement, activity levels in different parts of the store and queue formation at two shops in Prague’s Řepy shopping centre. The new Charles Square branch is also set to become a testing site for smart cameras and artificial intelligence.

What the offer means for franchise partners

Traficon quotes an initial investment starting at CZK 200,000, which includes a refundable deposit and training for the franchise partner and their staff. According to the published offer, partners receive a fully equipped and stocked store, so they do not need to fund the initial stock purchase or the necessary fixtures and equipment.

Head office support includes initial training, ongoing development, marketing, IT, stock supply and maintenance support. A regional manager is available to help partners with day-to-day operational matters. However, the figure of “from CZK 200,000” is the starting point of the offer, not a fixed price for every location and format.

Practical takeaway: Prospective franchisees should first check with head office whether a particular site is suitable for a Mini or a standard store, then seek clarification on the investment required, the scope of services and the operating terms for that branch.