Just Published: "Croatia Retail Report Q4 2014"

Croatia's retail market continues to mature and present opportunities in future quarters for potential investors intent on the European Union's newest member. After a period of contraction, BMI forecast C roatia's GDP to climb from USD52 bn in 2015 to USD 58 bn in 2018. Croatia's middle class continues to grow, with 36 .6% of households in this key demographic projected to reach the USD10,000-plus income bracket in 2015. However, the labour market outlook remains bleak as the labour force is predicted to shrink during our forecast period into 2018.

Investors were optimistic about Croatia's future economic growth after the country joined the European Union in 2013, a move which embedded the former Soviet state within a modern economic community. Yet, Croatia posted disappointing financial results in the quarters immediately after its entry to the EU, marked by a GDP contraction and falling retail sales. However, BMI's outlook for the retail market remains positive as the country will report a real GDP growth of 0.6% in 2015. Over the 2015-2018 forecast period, growth will increase marginally, averaging 1.4% per annum.

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Several reports have emphasized Croatia's need to bolster its competitiveness in order to attract more investors. In the European Commission's report on industrial competitiveness, Croatia ranked within the fourth and lowest tier of member states designated by their moderate or declining competitiveness. The majority of Croatia's Central and Eastern European neighbours ranked within the third tier, which consists of states with modest but improving competitiveness. The third tier includes Estonia, Lithuania, Spain, Latvia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, and Greece. Outside of the EU, the World Economic Forum 2014-2015 Report on Competitiveness ranked Croatia 144th among global economies. To become more competitive, Croatia is advised to develop its infrastructure, encourage innovative...

The Croatia 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 Croatia 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 Croatia to test other views - a key input for successful budgeting and strategic business planning in the Croatian retail market.

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