Market Report, "Venezuela Retail Report Q3 2014", published

Rising incomes and an increasing number of middle class households make Venezuela's retail market attractive. However, these plus points are overshadowed by the uncertain business environment and economic instability.

The new Venezuelan Retail Report provides an extensive and comprehensive forecast of various retail indicators including household spending, and headline total spending across each retail sub-sector, household income and employment forecasts, demographic forecasts, and a detailed breakdown of household and per capita spending across a large number of retail areas.

Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/.aspx?afid=301

We are forecasting real GDP growth of just 1.2% in 2014, in the face of high inflation and the challenges posed to the business environment by the government. This growth rate is far below the average 5.8% seen over the past decade, but above our 2013 estimation of 2.0% growth.

Although Venezuela's retail sector has benefited from relatively high GDP growth over the last decade, with much expansion seen in the areas of mass grocery retail (MGR) and shopping malls, the industry now has a range of problems with which to contend.

The business environment, specifically government policy, is unpredictable, and the threat of expropriation remains real. Meanwhile the state is heavily involved in various aspects of the retail industry, subsidising and running MGR chains, which creates a highly uneven playing fields for private-sector firms in the market, as wells as setting rental rate maximums for commercial real estate, which has affected mall operators.

Meanwhile high inflation, which seriously erodes purchasing power, exchange rate issues, and shortages of basic goods all make it difficult for retailers to operate in Venezuela.

In the short term, therefore, although we see good growth in household incomes, and an increasing number of middle class Venezuelan's with disposable incomes, the risks in the market remain great, and we are not seeing much interest from international...

The Venezuela Retail Report has been researched at source and features Business Monitor International (BMI)'s independent assessment and forecasts for the retail sector. The report examines key drivers of retail sales growth and future prospects, including consumer spending and private sector investment.

BMI's Venezuela Retail Report also examines the level of development and potential for growth of the retail sector, the commercial initiatives of major players, changing consumer demographics that influence demand and the regulatory environment. Key sub-sectors include mass grocery retail, autos, over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, computers and consumer electronics.

Key Benefits

* Benchmark BMI's independent retail industry forecasts for Venezuela to test other views - a key input for successful budgeting and strategic business planning in the Venezuelan retail market.

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is a leading distributor of market research and business information. Representing the world's top research publishers and analysts, we provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available. Our unbiased, expert staff is always available to help you find the right research to fit your requirements and your budget.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.