Zacatrus

Zacatrus operates as a specialized retailer and publisher in the board game sector, leveraging a vertically integrated business model. The company was established in 2011 by CEO Sergio Viteri and a group of friends. Viteri, an IT engineer with prior entrepreneurial experience, co-founding and serving as CTO for Rentalia, was inspired to launch Zacatrus after observing the mature and passionate board game market in Germany. He identified a gap in the Spanish market, where no board game companies had a significant online presence at the time. The venture began as an online search engine for board games, initially run from a shelf in Viteri's home, and expanded as demand grew.

The company's operations encompass the entire value chain: creating and publishing its proprietary games and accessories, distributing these and other publishers' games to retail stores, and selling directly to consumers. This multi-faceted approach includes an e-commerce platform and a network of physical stores in Spanish cities such as Madrid, Sevilla, Valencia, Vitoria, and Barcelona. The business model is designed to be a comprehensive ecosystem for gamers, focusing on community engagement, personalized customer service, and educational content. To enhance the customer experience, Zacatrus provides detailed information through videos, unique content, and customer reviews. A key figure in their content strategy is "Masivi," who hosts a popular YouTube channel reviewing new games and became part of the team after driving significant traffic to the site.

Revenue is generated through multiple channels: direct-to-consumer sales via its online and physical stores, and wholesale distribution to other retailers like El Corte Inglés and FNAC. The company offers a catalog of over 9,000 products and has developed a customer loyalty program where members, or "Zacasocios," can earn redeemable points ("Fichas") on purchases. In late 2012, Zacatrus acquired one of its main competitors, LaPCra, to consolidate its market position. The company has also expanded its operations internationally, launching a distribution-focused presence in France.

Keywords: board games, tabletop games, e-commerce, game publishing, retail distribution, game design, community engagement, omni-channel retail, specialty retail, collectibles, card games, family games, strategy games, puzzle games, game accessories, Sergio Viteri, LaPCra, Spanish startups, hobby games, ludoteca