Romania ranked seventh among the top ten most attractive markets for retailers in the world, according to a recent study by CBRE.

Last year, 36 new retailers opened stores in the country, 35 of which opened in Bucharest. The capital ranked ninth among top ten cities where new retailers opened stores, exceeding cities such as Vienna, Madrid or Paris.

Most retailers that entered Romania went for Bucharest shopping malls, but premiums and luxury brands were looking for street-located venues or commercial galleries.

In 2015, two new mall openings, namely Coresi in Brasov and Mega Mall in Bucharest, as well as the expansion of City Park Constanta, attracted new brands. These included Hilfiger Denim, Pupa Tween Damat and Marks & Spencer Food, as well as Casa Convenienza, Michael Kors and Sport Vision, according to DTZ Echinox.

This year Fossil, lingerie retailer Tezenis, opened their first stores in Romania. H&M opened last week its first COS shop in the country. US brand Forever and Portuguese brand Lanidor will open stores in the ParkLake Plaza mall this fall.

editor@romania-insider.com