ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - While domestic retailers are facing numerous business problems, foreign chains of stores still manage to find their place and interest on the Croatian market. The opening of the first French chain of stores
Leclerc was announced this week. The construction of an 8,000-square-metre centre should start in June in the Zagreb suburb of Spansko and the centre should be opened in a year. This will be the sixth foreign trade centre in Zagreb. Over the last year, the Austrian chain of stores Billa opened two centres in Croatia, while Segro and Italy's Mercatone opened one centre each. The Slovene chain of stores Mercator has also announced the opening of its centre in Croatia for next year. According to media reports, Germany's Metro, one of the leading world chain of stores, also plans its arrival in the Croatian market. The Leclerc management plans to open as many as three
ZAGREB, June 7 (Hina) - While domestic retailers are facing
numerous business problems, foreign chains of stores still manage
to find their place and interest on the Croatian market.
The opening of the first French chain of stores Leclerc was
announced this week.
The construction of an 8,000-square-metre centre should start in
June in the Zagreb suburb of Spansko and the centre should be opened
in a year. This will be the sixth foreign trade centre in Zagreb.
Over the last year, the Austrian chain of stores Billa opened two
centres in Croatia, while Segro and Italy's Mercatone opened one
centre each.
The Slovene chain of stores Mercator has also announced the opening
of its centre in Croatia for next year. According to media reports,
Germany's Metro, one of the leading world chain of stores, also
plans its arrival in the Croatian market.
The Leclerc management plans to open as many as three trade centres
in Zagreb, and is also expected to expand its business to other
Croatian cities. The first Leclerc centre, whose construction will
start soon, should offer 300-350 new jobs.
Retailers gathered in the Croatian Chamber of Crafts' Merchant
Guild have been warning since the first arrivals of foreign
retailers in Croatia that, should the expansion of foreign chains
of stores continue, Croatian retailers could soon be forced to
close their businesses, as has been the case in some neighbouring
countries. Small retailers are trying, currently without success,
to find the way to resist the increasingly superior competition.
Despite the poor economic situation and buying power in Croatia,
foreign retailers are still interested in the Croatian market.
Financial experts say the main reason for this is access to cheaper
sources of financing, lower purchasing prices, modern technology
etc.
The Leclerc chain of stores has 568 outlets in France and is also
present on the Portuguese, Spanish and Polish markets.
(hina) jn rml