Romania ranks third in the top of countries with the most new brands having entered their markets in 2010, shows a study of the real estate consultancy firm CBRE, which includes over 300 retailers in 73 countries worldwide. This year, retailers like Gucci and Emporio Armani entered the Romanian market, having opened stores on Calea Victoriei, while H&M also opened its first stores in Romania.

India and Turkey rank ahead of Romania, while countries like the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Ireland and Belgium are placed below Romania, shows the study "How Global Is The Business of Retail", conducted by CBRE. Romania attracted six retailers last year, according to the study.

Romania ranks 33 of the 73 countries analyzed in terms of its international trade. Franchises are a common method of operating in Romania, with 56 percent of the traders are using this method, but this ratio is down from the previous years.

Last year, Romania ranked 15th in the top 20 of the most popular countries for the expansion of retailers, after in 2009 ranked eighth in the top 56 countries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com