Retail grocery market in six Central European nations grew 2.8% in 2011 from 2010 to €107B, will see average annual growth of 3.2% through 2014; hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounters control 52% of CE market, up from 45% in 2009: PMR

Cindy Allen

KRAKOW, Poland , June 20, 2012 (press release) – PMR estimates that in 2011 the grocery market in six Central European (CE) countries was worth nearly €107bn, 2.8% more than the previous year when expressed in local currencies. The increase was generated foremost by the discount stores and supermarket segments, and was driven by the skyrocketing prices of foodstuffs. Schwarz Group, which operates the Lidl and Kaufland chains, is a leading grocery player in the CE region – as revealed in PMR’s most recent report “Grocery retail in Central Europe 2012. Market analysis and development forecasts for 2012-2014”.

The Central European grocery market, which is comprised of Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia, lost €5.5bn over the last three years as the result of the economic crisis and local currencies weakening against the euro. According to PMR forecasts, this grocery market is to gain €10.5bn by 2014, at constant exchange rates. In this three-year period, the six CE grocery markets will develop at an average annual growth of 3.2%, ranging between 2% to 4% in the different countries. However, as Dominika Kubacka, PMR Retail Analyst and coordinator of the report, adds, there are different reasons behind these increases: high inflation, expansion of retailers, or just the effect of a low historical base.

Large-format retailing progressively dominates CE grocery market

The large-format modern retail segments have gained strength in each Central European country. Hypermarkets, supermarkets and discount stores now control 52% of the CE grocery market versus the 45% recorded three years ago. Further growth is expected in the following three years.

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