A record number of 80 retailers have entered Romania since 2013 up to now, and have opened almost 170 stores, with a cumulated area of 30,000 sqm. They plan to open another 30 units in the next 12 months, according to real estate consultancy firm CBRE.

Romania ranks 22nd of 67 markets CBRE analyzed for their attractiveness and retailers’ future expansion plans.

In the last two years, 10 retail brands have left the Romanian market. These include the DIY retailers bauMax, Obi, as well as fashion retailers such as New Look, Nine West or La Senza. They left the country either due to a weak business operational model, or because there was a mismatch between the brand and consumers’ preferences. British retailer Debenhams, for example, closed its stores in Romania in 2013, but returned this year under a new franchise.

The record number of new entries is related to the macroeconomic performance, according to CBRE. Romania’s GDP has increased at an annual rate of 3.3% in the analyzed period, higher compared to other European countries.

editor@romania-insider.com