When Stratega CEE launched on 25 September 2011 in Poland, our idea was simple yet bold. We will deliver top-quality, insight-driven market research services to help brands make better business decisions. 14 years later, our ambition transformed into a regional success story.
With 1800+ completed projects in FMCG, technology, healthcare, B2B, finance and others, Stratega has become one of the most trusted and valued research firms in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Our success is not just about data. It’s about turning consumer understanding into actionable insights and guidelines that drive business growth.
Now, as we approach the milestone of 2000 completed projects in 2025, we want to reflect on the journey, share some of the company’s most impactful recent case studies, and outline our plans for the next five years.
Our Expansion Journey – From Warsaw to CEE Markets
Stratega’s growth over the past 14 years has been strong and steady. Our story begins in Warsaw, where a small team of researchers quickly got a good reputation for delivering high-quality insights and reliable fieldwork. With that, we grew more and more – both in numbers and in geographical reach.
Our company first expanded into Romania – we recognized the potential of this dynamic and diverse market which people tend to overlook. Over the years, Stratega established a strong presence not only in urban centers but also in rural areas, ensuring comprehensive and representative coverage.
The next milestone came with the start of operations in Prague, which positioned our fagency at the center of CEE research activity. Our team now serves clients across Bulgaria, Hungary, and other neighboring markets.
Today, Stratega operates in an increasingly international environment, with cross-border projects managed seamlessly between Warsaw, Bucharest, and Prague. Local teams bring cultural expertise and understanding, which is essential for delving into nuanced consumer behaviors. Because of that Stratega has an advantage that global research networks often lack.
The Driving Force Behind Growth – People and Expertise
The heart of our success are our people. Over the past 14 years, the company has grown from a small team of market research enjoyers to a network of skilled researchers, recruiters, moderators, analysts, and project managers.
Stratega keeps recruiting specialized talents across different markets, bringing in expertise in sectors such as healthcare, fintech, and digital services. This diversity of knowledge allows our company to tackle increasingly complex research projects – from advanced product testing to complex behavioral studies.
The fact our team is located n Warsaw, Prague, and Bucharest has strengthened the our capabilities as well. International cooperation has fostered innovation, new methodologies, improved analytics, and technology-driven solutions that became a part of Stratega’s daily operations.
By investing in talent, Stratega ensures that its clients always benefit from cutting-edge methodologies, accurate analysis, and strategic recommendations tailored to their business strategy.
Case Studies: Delivering Impact Across CEE
Our portfolio includes hundreds of projects, but two recent case studies highlight how the company’s regional expertise translates into real business results.
Case Study 1: Beer Consumption Insights in Romania
Objective: A top beverage producer wanted to understand consumer preferences for beer in both urban and rural markets, track competitor activities, and identify opportunities for differentiation.
Methodology used:
- Surveys combined with face-to-face, on-street interviews
- Ongoing research carried out in multiple waves over the year
- 2,000 participants balanced between urban and rural areas
Execution and Reporting: Stratega’s local team in Romania managed the project end-to-end, including fieldwork supervision, data processing, and monthly reporting. Regular updates allowed us and the client to monitor changing trends in real time.
Business Impact: The insights highlighted key differences in consumer behavior between urban and rural markets. Based on the findings, the client could adjust their pricing and promotional strategies, optimize distribution channels, and introduce packaging changes that strengthened their market position.
Case Study 2: Heated Tobacco in Czech Republic
Objective: A global tobacco company wanted to understand attitudes toward heated tobacco products to refine its marketing and product development strategy.
Methodology used:
- 4 online focus groups with simultaneous translation (simtrans) to provide real-time interpretation for the client’s international team
- Tight timeline: 12 days total – 5 days recruitment, 2 days fieldwork, 5 days reporting
- Delivery of a comprehensive +20 pages summary report with business recommendations
Business Impact: Our research identified key consumer concerns, for instance device reliability and flavor quality. The client used these insights to adapt their communication strategy to highlight product reliability, prioritize product improvements in upcoming iterations and adjust its market entry messaging, leading to higher initial engagement rates with early adopters. The project was a great success and contributed to a significant increase in client’s sales.
The Next 5 Years of Stratega
14 years in and we are not slowing down. We have ambitious goals for the future and plan to focus on expansion, innovation, and talent development.
- Reaching 3,000 Projects by 2030: We plans to maintain a steady growth while completing at least 200 to 250 projects annually.
- Geographic Expansion: We plan to open new offices in different CEE markets to let us conduct even better fieldwork and gather genuine cultural insights.
- Technology and Analytics: As a company, will invest in AI-enhanced analytics, automated dashboards, and advanced data visualization which will allow us to deliver deeper and quicker insights.
- Sector Specialization: Dedicated teams will focus on healthcare, fintech, and digital services, three main sectors experiencing rapid growth in the region.
- Talent Growth: Stratega will continue to attract and develop top research talent, ensuring that our methodologies remain innovative and globally competitive.
- Thought Leadership: Our company will strengthen our position as an industry leader by sharing regional insights at international conferences, including the upcoming ESOMAR Congress and others.
ESOMAR Congress 2025 Prague
As part of our deep commitment to innovation, Stratega CEE will participate in the ESOMAR Congress 2025, held at the Prague Congress Centre from 22 to 25 September 2025.
This global event will bring together leading researchers, data scientists, and business strategists to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the industry. We will showcase our experience in CEE markets and share best practices for conducting research in diverse cultural and economic environments.
If you want to find more, visit:
👉 ESOMAR
Partner With Us!
Over the past 14 years, we have proven that reliable data, local context, and actionable insights are the keys to business growth. Whether it’s an on-street beer consumption survey in Romania or intense online focus groups in Czechia, we deliver research that drives real business results.
As we move into our next chapter, we invite you to join us in shaping the future of market research in Central and Eastern Europe.
👉 Learn more about our Market Research Services CEE and discover how we can help you make smarter, data-driven decisions.
