Ukraine surpassed Norway, Denmark and the UAE in the ranking of the priority countries for retail

Ukraine surpassed Norway, Denmark and the UAE in the ranking of the priority countries for retail

Ukraine was on 23 place in the ranking of countries to prioritize the development of retail in 2012, the results of the annual survey of retail real estate segment in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) company CBRE.

The research activity of retail operators in EMEA, during which they explored attitudes and plans for 2012 178 leading retailers in the region, says that the massive expansion plans in the next year most of the world's retailers, despite the unstable economic situation and the growing popularity online shopping.

Thus, the end of 2012 about 71% of international retailers plan to open more than five new stores in EMEA and 20% - more than forty (compared to 18% in 2011).

In addition, the results of CBRE showed that retailers follow the same strategy to expand the network in 2012 as in 2011: how to orient the developed and emerging markets, but increasingly opt for those countries where their shops are presented.
As reported in Korrespondent.biz CBRE, the first ranking of the most attractive countries for the expansion of trade networks led by Italy, rising in the last year with an eighth place. For Italy, followed by Germany, Russia, Spain and France, completing the top five countries for priority development of retailers in 2012, and for each of these countries represent about 30% of the total number of respondents.

Experts also note that in recent years, retailers have mainly focused on Germany, Britain, France and Spain, but now many of them consider the possibility of entering other markets.

The relatively strong German economy continues to attract new retailers, Russia, thanks to a strong economy and the prospect of further growth in consumer spending, rose in ranking from sixth to third. While Ukraine is prioritizing the development of retailers dropped from 17th place in 2011 to 23rd place in 2012.

However, Ukraine is in the ranking above such countries as Greece, Serbia, UAE, Denmark, Norway, Bahrain, Ireland, South Africa and Finland. Above the Ukraine - Romania, Hungary, Kuwait, Croatia.

According to Director of Strategic Consulting and analysts CBRE Marina Krestinina, despite the unstable economic situation, retailers continue to develop.

"However, operators have become more cautious in choosing a country and city, and the object. The focus of retailers at the moment only quality items with excellent location in major cities. As a result, one of the obstacles for the development of a small number of objects , claimed to be released in 2012 in several countries, including in Ukraine, "- she said.

According to global survey CBRE, this year significantly increased interest in these Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Qatar. More than 15% of respondents plan to expand trade networks in these countries in 2012. A series of positive terms, including: high level of prosperity, stronger than in Europe, the economy and a relatively small presence of international brands, as well as construction of new shopping centers, making these countries attractive for eastern development of the global retailers.

However, retailers are focused on a wide range of countries for the development of networks, but they still try to minimize their risks. More than half of the operators (52%) plan to open stores in new cities, but in those countries where they already are. About 17% are planning to open additional stores in cities where they already have (last year only 9%), thus expanding on the already familiar market. Despite the caution of the majority, still about 30% of retailers intend to expand into new markets in 2012, which corresponds to the last year.

It is worth noting that online stores are also included in the priorities for the development of retailers for the coming year. Participants in the survey acknowledge that a comprehensive approach is the best way to increase sales, especially given the growing volume of Internet sales. About 75% of retailers plan to develop an online presence. According to a study CBRE, about 43% of retailers plan to greatly expand the range of products online, and 23% intend to implement online stores in new countries.

As reported, the Kyiv ranked among the best cities in Europe for shopping tourism release Economist Intelligence Unit.