Gabriela Anghel (Chilipirul-zilei.ro): Our return to BusinessLeague was welcomed with enthusiasm by many affiliates

If there is anything that excites us more than stores joining BusinessLeague, well, comebacks are that thing :D

After a break of more than a year from affiliate marketing, Chilipirul-zilei.ro returned to the competition last round. And they did it in style, winning the round dedicated to Newcomers. So we couldn't miss the moment. We invited Gabriela Anghel (Marketing Specialist @ Chilipirul-zilei.ro) to tell us about this return and more.

For example, about the fact that affiliate marketing in BusinessLeague brought new customers to the store, and that compared to other sales channels, performance was "above expectations".

In April–May so far, Mystery Boxes have been the bestsellers on chilipirul-zilei.ro. A product versatile enough that customers buy it “not just out of curiosity, but also gift it to loved ones on various occasions”.

Read the full interview with Gabriela below.

The Beginning. When and how your story started

The story of Chilipirul-zilei.ro began on April 17, 2018, out of a desire to bring useful, quality products to Romania at affordable prices. In fact, few people know that we are part of the ARLL group, founded in 2011 in the UK, which is a European leader in returns management, stock liquidation, and fulfillment services. ARLL is the only platform in Europe that integrates reverse logistics, refurbishment, recycling, and remarketing into a single, scalable, and sustainable solution.

In 2018, we decided to also address end consumers, marking our transition to B2C and launching Chilipirul-zilei.ro. This expansion was backed by ARLL's solid infrastructure, allowing us to offer our customers a wide range of products sourced directly from Europe's largest manufacturers.

Returning to BusinessLeague

Our return was welcomed with enthusiasm by many affiliates we had worked with in the past. Although we also approached new affiliates, I believe our little secret to this successful start lies in our strong existing partnerships. We realized we already had well-established relationships with some of our affiliates, and we want to thank them for their trust.

Business League is a dynamic competition that turns affiliate marketing into a strategic game of sales
growth.

Business challenges

The main business challenge is customer retention in a competitive environment where options are plentiful and international players, especially from the East, with significant marketing budgets, are aggressively entering the Romanian market, offering incredibly low prices.

How does affiliate marketing in BusinessLeague deliver compared to other sales channels?

Affiliate marketing in Business League has brought us new customers, and compared to other sales channels, performance was above expectations this month. Surprisingly, the bestsellers this month were the Mystery Boxes, even though we expected Easter decorations and cleaning supplies to be the top sellers. This product is so versatile that customers don't just buy it out of curiosity, they also give it as a gift to loved ones on various occasions. It's a kind of "Kinder Surprise" for all ages.

The Challenges in BusinessLeague

We haven't had a chance to try the Challenges in Business League yet, but we have them in mind because we consider them an excellent way to boost engagement, test new promotion strategies, and of course increase visibility among affiliates.

What are the most important criteria by which you choose your partners in Business League? And conversely: What do Marketers look for first in a partnership with a store, in your opinion?

Our affiliate program is open to all affiliates. With the expansion of our product range through the activation of the Chilipirul-zilei marketplace, we believe that any affiliate, regardless of niche, can find a partner in us. From the perspective of new marketers, we think they appreciate stores with clear offers, competitive commissions, and prompt campaign support.

The Affiliate Managers Program

I believe the creation of this Affiliate Managers program is a very valuable initiative in an affiliate program. A dedicated Affiliate Manager can optimize the relationship with affiliates, identify growth opportunities, and ensure effective communication, which translates into better performance.

A piece of advice for new players

Our advice for players now discovering BusinessLeague is to be proactive and build strong relationships with affiliates. Collaboration based on trust, transparency, promptness, and mutual support brings long-term results.

What are your plans for the rest of the year? In BusinessLeague and beyond.

In Business League, we aim to climb the rankings, strengthen existing partnerships, and establish new collaborations with influencers. Outside the competition, observing the trend toward refurbished products, we aim to expand our portfolio in this direction and are also working on improving the shopping experience for our customers.