Prague, January 2024
Transforming the supplement market and helping people safely and effectively replenish essential nutrients has been the mission of Czech startup Trime since its founding in 2020. Despite a 6% decline in the Czech e-commerce market, Trime managed to double its revenue in 2023 and increase subscription sales by an impressive 412%. Leading the pack of their bestsellers was the children’s supplement line, a new launch from last season. In 2024, Trime plans to introduce personal nutrient testing and a mobile app for more precise supplementation, expand its team, and further strengthen its product portfolio.
“Last year was incredibly positive for us. We maintained continuous growth and launched several new products, including our children’s supplement line. It’s clear that despite rising costs in many sectors, people continue to value their health and invest in it,” says Michal Kočí, co-founder and CEO of Trime.
Growth Despite Market Challenges
According to eCommerce Insider, as reported by Heureka.cz and the Association for Electronic Commerce (APEK), the Czech e-commerce market concluded 2023 with a turnover of 182 billion CZK, reflecting a 6% year-on-year decline. Despite these figures, Trime achieved a 100% increase in sales. Their monthly subscription service, introduced in 2022, saw a remarkable 412% growth in 2023.
“The growing popularity of our monthly subscription is not just an economic success for us; it’s proof that we’re successfully educating our customers about the importance of regular, high-quality supplementation,” says Kočí.
Quality as a Standard
Trime’s growth was tempered last year by logistical challenges and a strong focus on product quality. The company prioritizes sourcing natural ingredients that maximize potential health benefits and avoids synthetic additives whenever possible.
“Developing a new product can take months or even years. For example, it took us nearly 18 months to identify the optimal form of vitamin E and a suitable supplier. During development, we pay particular attention to factors like bioavailability and potential contamination with harmful substances such as heavy metals or toxic ethylene oxide. These contaminants can pose serious health risks with long-term consumption. That’s why we subject our products to rigorous in-house lab testing and verify safety across the entire supply chain,” explains Kočí.
In 2023, Trime introduced six new products to the Czech market, including its children’s supplement line, which became one of the year’s most popular offerings. Other top sellers included the F20 multivitamin, Omega-3, and the antioxidant blend ProLife, another new product from last year. This year, Trime plans to expand its portfolio with a prenatal multivitamin and natural forms of minerals, B vitamins, and iron.
Tailored to Individual Needs
Trime aims to empower supplement users to target their nutrient intake based on individual needs. A survey conducted by Trime in autumn 2023, involving over 10,000 respondents, revealed that more than half of Czechs do not know their vitamin D levels, with an even higher percentage unaware of their children’s levels. To address this, Trime plans to launch personal nutrient testing in 2024.
“The most effective supplementation is one that you can fully control. That’s why we want to provide tools that help users easily and quickly understand how much of a particular nutrient they need to supplement. We believe this approach will elevate supplementation to a new level, helping our customers achieve the desired health benefits,” Kočí explains.
