Successful businesses often emerge from careful planning, market analysis, and well-thought-out strategies. However, the story of Profesionalus septynetas, the company behind the cleaning product brand PRO7, is quite different.
After several years in the cleaning services business — and as a customer of the company holding distribution rights for Americol cleaning products — current owner Deividas Mikaliūnas unexpectedly met one of the company’s sales managers, who mentioned plans to sell those distribution rights. The decision to acquire them was spontaneous — and today, that chance encounter has grown into a cleaning products business that has been expanding for more than a decade.
Bold decisions and lessons from the pandemic
“At first, I really didn’t think we would get into selling cleaning products — we were just using them ourselves and were satisfied with the results. But when we learned that the distribution rights were for sale, we considered it and decided to give it a try. That’s how, eight years ago, we became official representatives. Since then, the company has grown and evolved, but the main thing is — we’ve always tried not to just go with the flow, but to move forward,” says Mikaliūnas.
Today, PRO7’s retail network includes nine physical stores in Lithuania’s four largest cities and a rapidly growing e-commerce platform. Mikaliūnas recalls that, although many advised against opening physical stores at first, the decision proved to be very successful — as did preparing for online sales even before the pandemic.
“Before COVID, we already had a functioning online store and were among the first to open a specialized cleaning supplies shop in a shopping mall. When the lockdown began, it became clear that having a fully operational e-store was a huge advantage. While others were just getting started, we were already selling successfully online. That allowed us to invest in expansion and grow our customer base. And the physical stores paid off too — as soon as restrictions ended, people came back because they valued in-person consultations and the chance to get advice directly from experts,” he recalls.
Customers value efficiency and reliable delivery
He explains that over the company’s ten years of operation, a clear trend has emerged — buyers choose cleaning products not only based on price, but primarily on how quickly and effectively they work and whether they are environmentally friendly.
“Today, customers care most about how effective the products are. They value not just price, but also how much time, energy, and effort they save. Most of our products are biodegradable, made in the Netherlands, and combine power with eco-friendliness. Many customers return after trying them because they see the difference — cheaper products simply don’t work as well. Also, professional consultation is highly valued — customers don’t just want to buy a product, they want advice on how to use it best,” says the founder.
According to him, online customers today value convenience and reliability even more than speed — having various delivery options and receiving shipments on time, with clear communication if issues arise. That’s why the company invests heavily in logistics. Since acquiring the business, PRO7 has worked with Venipak, and the number of weekly shipments has grown from dozens to several hundred.
“We’ve been working with Venipak for eight years now. Our shipment volumes have increased drastically, but the partnership has always remained stable. We appreciate their flexibility, their ability to listen to our needs and offer solutions. Most importantly, deliveries are safe, and shipments are well cared for. That’s crucial because every parcel represents our customer’s experience. We also value their pricing — high-quality service at a fair price lets us offer competitive options to our clients as well,” emphasizes Mikaliūnas.
He adds that reliable logistics today is not just a behind-the-scenes process but a vital part of the customer experience.
Future plans: more stores and even more efficient logistics
Mikaliūnas notes that customers who buy cleaning products in stores and online are essentially the same — they’re interested in trying new products and value expert advice. Online shopping surges during the holiday season when people want to avoid traffic and crowds.
“During the holidays, people want simplicity — to order their cleaning products online and not worry about queues or congestion. That’s when the responsiveness of logistics partners becomes critical. If a shipment gets delayed, communication and respectful treatment of the customer are key. We’re glad that Venipak couriers are not only fast but also polite and helpful — this fully aligns with our philosophy that the customer always comes first,” he says.
In the near future, PRO7 plans to expand its network of physical stores and further enhance customer value. The company intends to open more retail locations, broaden its product range, and continue improving logistics so that deliveries reach customers faster and more conveniently.
“We see that physical stores remain important for Lithuanians, so we plan to expand our network. At the same time, we’re working on increasing our product assortment and strengthening our team’s professionalism. We’re also striving to shorten order preparation times and reduce shipping costs to offer customers an even better price-to-quality ratio,” Mikaliūnas concludes.
