The traditional retail market in Romania is worth EUR 15 billion and traditional stores will survive the fight with modern formats and the financial and economical crisis, according to Milos Ryba, senior retail analyst with Planet Retail consultancy firm.

Stores like Mic.ro and proximity formats, mini-supermarkets and small entrepreneurial retail ventures will be seen more frequently in the future, said the Planet Retail representative, quoted by Agerpres. On the other hand, the modern trade goes to its multi-format era, according to Ryba.

The crisis has made consumers more brand conscious, triggering them to buy less and have lower confidence in the market. Around 80 percent of the buyers are women, said the Planet Retail analyst.

Despite all these, the traditional trade still makes a EUR 15 billion market in the country. Traditional trade includes the fruits and vegetables market, the bazaars, as well as the the no-brand neighborhood stores in cities and rural areas. Modern trade includes the international retailer brands and formats like hypermarkets, supermarkets, discounter stores.

editor@romania-insider.com