Slovakia - Distribution and Sales ChannelsSlovakia Distribution and Sales
Discusses the distribution network within the country from how products enter to final destination, including reliability and condition of distribution mechanisms, major distribution centers, ports, etc.
Bratislava is located in the southwestern corner of Slovakia and has the largest metropolitan population in the country, making it the most important retail market with the best-developed distribution networks. The cities of Kosice, Trnava, Trencin, Zilina, Poprad, and Nitra are the major manufacturing areas in Slovakia and are also important retail markets.
The Slovak retail sector is composed of private networks of retail and wholesale businesses. The trend in Western-style retailing, which offers a wide variety of products, has been greatly influenced by the operations of foreign companies such as Tesco. Currently, Tesco operates 150 outlets in Slovakia and employs more than 10,000 people. The breakdown includes Tesco department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets, upscale “galleries,” and a number of small-size retail stores called Tesco Express. Tesco also operates gasoline stations and provides mobile phone and financial services. In 2017 Tesco’s sales reached EUR 1.45 billion (USD 1.65 billion).
The second largest retailer in 2017 was Lidl, which belongs to the Schwarz Group along with Kaufland. Lidl had sales of EUR 1.15 billion (USD 1,31 billion) in 2017. It operates about 135 stores throughout Slovakia, with more than 4,000 employees.
Kaufland, the third largest retail chain in 2017, operates 65 stores and employs about 5,000 people in Slovakia. In 2017 Kaufland’s sales reached EUR 1.07 billion (USD 1,22 billion).
The 2017 gross sales of the fourth largest retailer, Billa, which is part of the German retail chain Rewe, reached EUR 548 million (USD 624 million) . With 150 stores and about 4,000 employees, Billa is an important employer in Slovakia. Billa operates smaller supermarkets and hypermarkets in shopping centers and downtown areas.
Metro Cash & Carry is Slovakia’s fifth largest retailer. Metro’s six large hypermarkets sell products and operate on a similar business model as Costco and Sam’s Club chains in the United States. In 2017 the company had sales of EUR 442 million (USD 504 million). The company has about 1,300 employees.
Other international retail chains in Slovakia include Hornbach, OBI, Bauhaus, Drogerie Markt (DM), IKEA, and KIKA. Major Slovak retailers include COOP Jednota and Terno. The expansion of large retail chains has caused smaller businesses to consolidate or liquidate, laying the groundwork for franchising opportunities.
Slovakia has two major ports on the Danube river, in Bratislava and Komarno. Both ports are operated by the Slovak Shipping and Ports company. Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.
Bratislava is located in the southwestern corner of Slovakia and has the largest metropolitan population in the country, making it the most important retail market with the best-developed distribution networks. The cities of Kosice, Trnava, Trencin, Zilina, Poprad, and Nitra are the major manufacturing areas in Slovakia and are also important retail markets.
The Slovak retail sector is composed of private networks of retail and wholesale businesses. The trend in Western-style retailing, which offers a wide variety of products, has been greatly influenced by the operations of foreign companies such as Tesco. Currently, Tesco operates 150 outlets in Slovakia and employs more than 10,000 people. The breakdown includes Tesco department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets, upscale “galleries,” and a number of small-size retail stores called Tesco Express. Tesco also operates gasoline stations and provides mobile phone and financial services. In 2017 Tesco’s sales reached EUR 1.45 billion (USD 1.65 billion).
The second largest retailer in 2017 was Lidl, which belongs to the Schwarz Group along with Kaufland. Lidl had sales of EUR 1.15 billion (USD 1,31 billion) in 2017. It operates about 135 stores throughout Slovakia, with more than 4,000 employees.
Kaufland, the third largest retail chain in 2017, operates 65 stores and employs about 5,000 people in Slovakia. In 2017 Kaufland’s sales reached EUR 1.07 billion (USD 1,22 billion).
The 2017 gross sales of the fourth largest retailer, Billa, which is part of the German retail chain Rewe, reached EUR 548 million (USD 624 million) . With 150 stores and about 4,000 employees, Billa is an important employer in Slovakia. Billa operates smaller supermarkets and hypermarkets in shopping centers and downtown areas.
Metro Cash & Carry is Slovakia’s fifth largest retailer. Metro’s six large hypermarkets sell products and operate on a similar business model as Costco and Sam’s Club chains in the United States. In 2017 the company had sales of EUR 442 million (USD 504 million). The company has about 1,300 employees.
Other international retail chains in Slovakia include Hornbach, OBI, Bauhaus, Drogerie Markt (DM), IKEA, and KIKA. Major Slovak retailers include COOP Jednota and Terno. The expansion of large retail chains has caused smaller businesses to consolidate or liquidate, laying the groundwork for franchising opportunities.
Slovakia has two major ports on the Danube river, in Bratislava and Komarno. Both ports are operated by the Slovak Shipping and Ports company. Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.