Gudvio is a Slovak online store specializing in the sale of nicotine products – from pouches to electronic devices. The brand targets adults only and communicates openly about responsible use, the importance of self-control, and options for quitting. Gudvio has chosen a path that combines fairness with regulation, customer experience with education, and partner selection with principle.
Our task was to translate these principles into a functional, secure, and innovative online store. From two-step age verification to a gamified loyalty system – Gudvio proves that even in a heavily regulated sector, you can innovate without compromising on values. We spoke with Linda Chudá, COO of Gudvio, as well as our colleagues from bart – CEO Marek Barta and ecommerce lead Ladislav Perduk – about what it takes to build such a platform in practice.
Linda Chudá is the COO of Gudvio, a Slovak online store dedicated to nicotine products.
In our conversation, she explains how the brand combines responsibility and fairness with modern technology – from two-step age verification to a gamified loyalty program. Her role was to ensure that every technological decision – from UX and security to the customer journey – reflected the brand’s values and helped build trust with customers.
Linda, how did the idea for Gudvio come about?
Linda Chudá, COO, Gudvio: It started with a simple idea: to build an online store that would offer a new, responsible, and legal approach to selling nicotine products. We saw a gap in the market – no brand was truly connecting a quality customer experience with clear values and consumer protection. We wanted to build a space that customers could trust – even when choosing sensitive products that require control and a responsible approach.
How did you turn that vision into reality?
Linda Chudá: Everything we do goes through a values filter. The products we offer must meet not only legal requirements but also our internal criteria – clarity, quality, and transparency toward the customer.
We only communicate with adults, and our age verification process is two-fold – once at checkout and again upon delivery. That goes beyond what the law requires, but it was an important decision from the start. We wanted to create an environment where rules are not just followed, but explained and lived. We avoid manipulative language and only work with partners who understand that responsibility is just as important as sales.
Selling age-restricted products takes more than just the right tech. How did you ensure the entire process – from purchase to delivery – felt consistent and trustworthy?
Ladislav Perduk, ecommerce lead, bart: From a security perspective, we focused primarily on choosing the right tool for verifying customer age. We use third-party solutions that specialize in this – verification is done via photo ID. Instead of building a custom solution, we integrated a reliable service that fits seamlessly into the process and complies with data protection requirements.
The same logic applies to delivery – we only work with couriers who can verify the customer’s age in person. This ensures the whole system remains consistent, responsible, and aligned with the values the brand set from day one.
Marek, from the CEO’s perspective – what led you to accept this project?
Marek Barta, CEO, bart: Before partnering with Gudvio, we were interested in how they approached ethical issues and whether they were truly committed to responsibility. It wasn’t just about building a store. We needed to know we were working with a partner who understood the impact of their work.
Once we saw their genuine interest and integrity, we moved forward. As a tech company, we don’t judge products – but we do care that what we build aligns with our values. So, the question wasn’t “yes or no,” but “under what conditions and with what mindset?” That approach won us over.
Laci, as ecommerce lead, you were involved from the start. How did you experience the collaboration?
Ladislav Perduk: From the first discussions, it was clear that Gudvio took this socially sensitive topic seriously. Their values were solid, which mattered to me personally. We already had a good relationship with the client team, which helped a lot. The challenge was understanding the brand vision and preparing for a wide range of marketing activities – keeping the system stable from the start but flexible enough to grow with them.
Gudvio is still new on the market. How would you rate the eshop’s performance so far?
Linda Chudá: We started from scratch, but with a clear strategy and strong values. Our collaboration with Levosphere was a huge asset – it helped us ground the brand not just in strategy but in data, market needs, and customer expectations.
Since the launch in September 2024, we’ve seen steady growth – with a 12% monthly increase in both new orders and registrations (excluding seasonal fluctuations).
The most notable success came during Black Week with a 1+1 free promo. Orders shot up by over 1100% in a single week, generating 46% of all orders and 45% of total revenue to date.
These results show that when a brand knows what it stands for and works with a strong tech partner, it can grow quickly – even in a regulated space – with sustainability and respect for the customer.
Your communication includes themes rarely associated with nicotine – like rituals or community. How do these shape your brand and customer relationships?
Linda Chudá: Rituals are a natural part of daily life – and that includes how people use our products. Many use them as part of their daily rhythm, and that’s no coincidence. A nationwide survey confirmed this for us.
That’s why we openly explore the topic. We want to show that even moments involving nicotine can be mindful, responsible, and respectful. We connect with communities because rituals are often about togetherness, not just personal habits. Coffee, a candle, a conversation – these are meaningful moments. Gudvio wants to be part of them, always with responsibility and respect.
We’d encourage any eshop – regulated or not – to avoid shallow strategies or guesswork. Authentic positioning takes time. You need to know your “why,” “for whom,” and “how.”
Your store uses a multi-level loyalty program and gamification. What inspired these features, and how have they performed?
Linda Chudá: Gamification was driven largely by our understanding of the customer – through data, feedback, and expectations. But it wasn’t just an analytical decision. We wanted to offer a lighter, more engaging, but still respectful experience – even in a sensitive category.
Customers earn points not just for purchases, but also for following us on Instagram, Facebook, or writing product reviews. Thanks to these bonuses, 299 customers have already reached higher loyalty levels.
Our loyalty program isn’t just about discounts – it’s a relationship builder. Gamification lowers barriers, encourages product discovery, and communicates our values in a friendly, educational way. Even about health impacts and quitting support. That’s part of who we are.
Feedback has been very positive – people appreciate when something “resonates” without pushing for a purchase. Personalization helps them navigate, and gamification makes the experience enjoyable. Most importantly, it builds lasting relationships that go beyond price.
The numbers speak for themselves – registered users placed 62% more orders than non-registered ones, generated over double the revenue, and had 26% higher order values. They also purchased more often – 1.45 times on average, compared to mostly one-time buyers.
From the developer’s perspective – what was the biggest challenge in building the gamification features?
Ladislav Perduk: What users see as gamification is really just the tip of the iceberg. The biggest technical challenge was designing a system that could combine various types of rewards, vouchers, and marketing campaigns in a way that felt coherent and made sense within the customer journey.
We built a solution where registered users can collect points and redeem them for a range of rewards – discounts, gifts, loyalty levels. On top of that, we layered functionalities that trigger bonuses or allow users to level up through continued engagement.
It was essential to us that this mechanism didn’t feel like a forced gamification gimmick, but rather a natural extension of the thoughtful experience Gudvio wants to provide.
How would you describe your experience working with the bart team during and after development?
Linda Chudá: As Laci mentioned, we’ve been working with bart on other projects for some time now, so when it came to Gudvio, the decision was easy. We already knew we could count on their team – they’ve proven themselves reliable, flexible, and professional.
The development process was intense and demanding, which is natural for this kind of project. But everything was delivered on time and as agreed. The bart team approached everything responsibly, responded quickly to our inputs, and created a productive, collaborative environment.
What matters most to us is that the support hasn’t stopped. Since launching in September 2024, we’ve continued working together on new features and ideas. We never hear “it can’t be done” – the team always finds a smart solution and keeps the project moving forward. That proactive mindset and long-term partnership mean a lot to us.
Marek, what has Gudvio taught you about building for regulated markets, and how do you see the potential for similar projects in the future?
Marek Barta: For us, this project was a great lesson in how to combine technology with legal compliance and ethical sensitivity. Gudvio helped us realize even more deeply how important it is to consider not only technical and business factors, but also the broader societal context when developing digital solutions. Topics like sustainability, social responsibility, and ESG principles are increasingly becoming a natural part of how we think about digital innovation.
At bart, we value long-term collaborations built on trust, shared goals, and a commitment to doing things responsibly and well. Gudvio was the ideal project in that sense – the kind of partnership that drives us forward and gives our work real meaning.
Thank you for the interview.
What we developed for Gudvio
- Two-step age verification
Reliable control using third-party tools, including verification at delivery. - Gamified loyalty system
Points collection, level progression, mix of discounts, gifts, and bonus rewards. - Custom voucher and marketing system
Integrated with both backend and frontend components – flexible for various campaigns. - Personalized elements and educational content
Helping users make informed decisions when purchasing sensitive products. - Ongoing technical support and development
Continuous improvements in close collaboration with the client.
