Ionuț Radu (Manager, Librex.ro): "Black Friday is a key moment, among the most important of the year, and sales are over the roof"

At the end of the round, Librex.ro is in the Top 30 Companies, with nearly 800 sales in September. And the peak of the season is eagerly awaited by the team, because this year's Black Friday is being prepared well in advance, just as it should be, so that everyone wins.

"Yes, people in Romania do read," says Ionuț. And over time, BusinessLeague has become a partner in efficiency for Librex: What convinced us to join was precisely the combination of the competitive element, which motivates and brings visibility, and the opportunity to collaborate with relevant affiliates in a well-organized framework.

Read the full interview below.

Do people still read? How would you describe the book market in Romania?

Yes, people do read! Much more than the cliché "Romanians don't read" might suggest. The book market in Romania remains relatively small compared to other European countries, but it is alive, moving, and constantly diversifying.

What I think is important to highlight is the generational shift: young people read a lot, discover books through BookTok, Bookstagram, or online communities, and manage to bring a new pace to the market. Likewise, online bookstores and book-dedicated events make reading more accessible and more visible.

Of course, challenges exist: average print runs are much smaller than in other countries, purchasing power influences buying decisions, and distribution is not always simple. But at the same time, we are witnessing a cultural effervescence that shows reading is not disappearing—it is transforming and adapting to the times.

In short: the book market in Romania is small, but increasingly dynamic and with huge potential.

What were your bestselling books over the summer?

This summer, our readers oscillated between books of reflection and pure escapism reads.

The Stoic philosophy of Marcus Aurelius – Meditations dominated the charts as always, while classic books like The Little Prince ran alongside personal development bestsellers such as James Allen – As a Man Thinketh and Florence Scovel Shinn – The Game of Life and How to Play It.

At the same time, romantic fiction and fantasy topped the charts: Catharina Maura with The Wrong Bride (Mireasa înlocuită), the Brutal Birthright series by Sophie Lark, and Gild, the first volume of The Plated Prisoner, attracted a young and passionate audience.

And for readers interested in historical depth, Charles Oman – The Byzantine Empire (Istoria Imperiului Bizantin) was one of the summer favorites.

What does your personal Top 5 books read in the past year look like?

My top list is a mix between what we publish at Librex and what I read simply for pleasure.

1.⁠ ⁠Istoria Imperiului Bizantin (The Byzantine Empire) - Charles Oman
2.⁠ ⁠The World - Simon Sebag Montefiore
3.⁠ ⁠Europa de Est. Istorie și civilizații (Eastern Europe: History and Civilizations) - Tomek Jankowski
4.⁠ ⁠Petru Dimitrie Cercel. Gentilomul valah care a fermecat Europa, Cristian Moșneanu
5. Prezentul din trecut. Istoria pe care nu o înveți la școală - Ioan-Aurel Pop

Affiliate marketing delivers strong results, yet there is still reluctance from stores. Why?

Because many businesses still view affiliate marketing as an expense rather than an investment. Probably not everyone has the patience to test and adjust, expecting instant results instead. We have learned that when you build real relationships with affiliates and stay transparent, results follow.

How does BusinessLeague perform for you compared to other channels?

BusinessLeague is an efficient channel for us, with visible results especially during special campaigns. We have noticed that affiliate marketing through this platform can make a significant contribution to sales, and during certain periods acquisition costs are even more advantageous than on other performance channels.

How did you discover affiliate marketing through BusinessLeague and what made you sign up?

We discovered affiliate marketing through BusinessLeague by following 2Performant's communications and the stories of brands already involved. What convinced us to sign up was precisely the combination of the competition component, which motivates and brings visibility, and the opportunity to collaborate with relevant affiliates in a well-organized framework.

Challenges

They motivate us to be creative, test new things, and mobilize the team. They are fun, competitive, and force you to pay attention to details.

What is most important to you in partnerships with affiliates?

Transparency and trust. We want partners who understand our products and audience, not just "traffic and nothing more". That is when long-term collaborations and real win-wins are born.

What are your expectations for Black Friday 2025?

Expectations are high: we want to beat last year's records, bring exclusive launches, and surprise readers with special bundles. For us, Black Friday is a key moment, among the most important of the year, and sales are over the roof.

BusinessLeague.com

From BusinessLeague, I hope it remains a space that motivates, brings visibility, and creates a healthy framework for growth for both brands and affiliates. I would describe the competition as dynamic and stimulating, with room for even more diversity and transparency. If I could change something, it would be to have even more challenge formats or criteria that highlight different types of performance.