Now Available: Croatia Retail Report Q1 2013

Fast Market Research recommends "Croatia Retail Report Q1 2013" from Business Monitor International, now available

by Bill Thompson

(WireNews+Co) - Boston, MA - 21 February 2013

The Croatia Retail Report examines the long-term potential of the local consumer market but flags up short-term anxieties about the potential impact on Croatia's economic outlook of a combination of fiscal retrenchment by the Kukuriku coalition government and depressed private consumption.

The report examines how best to maximise returns in the Croatian retail market while minimising investment risk. It also explores the impact of the ongoing sovereign debt turmoil in the eurozone on the Croatian consumer and on the ability of producers and exporters to realise returns in the short term.

We also analyse the growth and risk management strategies being employed by leading players in the Croatian retail sector as they seek to maximise the growth opportunities offered by the market.

View Full Report Details and Table of Contents (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/536463_croatia_retail_report_q1_2013.aspx?afid=201) (http://www.fastmr.com/prod/536463_croatia_retail_report_q1_2013.aspx?afid=201)

Croatian per capita consumer spending is forecast to increase by a modest 16% between 2013 and 2016, compared with a regional growth average of 33%. The country comes last in BMI's Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Retail Risk/Reward Ratings, although it outperforms significantly in the risk component.

Among all retail categories, automotives will be the outperformer between 2013 and 2016, with BMI forecasting unit sales to increase by 28% during this period, from 39,169 units in 2013 to 50,176 units by 2016. Croatia is the second-largest car market in the countries of former Yugoslavia in terms of market share and the number of cars per capita.

The country is enjoying some success with niche electric car production. DOK-ING and Rimac Automobili have exhibited electric concept cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Over the last quarter, BMI has revised the following forecasts and views:

- We have revised down our estimate for Croatia's economic growth in 2012 to -1.7% from -1.5%, and we hold to our 1.0% forecast for 2013. Weak domestic demand as a result of low confidence, fiscal austerity measures and a weak labour market will see Croatia in a recession in 2012. This year, accession to the EU and concurrent funds and an improved outlook for the global economy, which will boost Croatian exports, will see a return to economic expansion.
- BMI forecasts household consumption to decline by 4.0% in 2012 before rebounding to 0.5% in 2013. The unemployment rate ticked up to 17.7% in August 2012, from 17.5% in July. While we caution that the Croatian economy has a large grey market, offsetting official joblessness rates, this is especially worrying given that July and August is traditionally the peak of the tourist season, which helps to bring down unemployment.

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