Tesco, CBA and Coop leading, with Spar and Lidl catching up

Tesco, CBA and Coop lead the top list of retail companies generating the highest revenues in 2008. Tesco generated revenues of HUF 602 billion, while revenues of Héliker, the last company on the top list totalled HUF 9 billion. Concentration in food retail continued in 2008, as being able to find everything in one location has remained one of the top priorities for consumers. Retail chains composed of large stores produced 10 percent expansion in terms of units on average last year. The total number of hyper markets, supermarkets and discount stores was 1119 at the end of 2008. The Tesco-Global chain operated a total of 148 stores last year, including 13 new hyper markets and 13 new supermarkets. Spar which came up to fourth position last year was one of the driving forces behind concentration. Its revenues were up from HUF 284,5 billion (in 2007) to HUF 374 billion last year, which means an increase of 32 percent. 10 new Spar hyper markets were opened in 2008, and this increment was also due to the acquisition of the Plus chain. CBA had 3 038 units in 2008, while Co-op had 5,250. Though the number of units belonging to domestic chains did not grow last year, these still accounted for over 50 percent of the Hungarian retail network, which is unique in the CEE region. As a result of extremely dynamic expansion, Lidl increased the number of its units by 17 percent, to 105 in 2008, ranking 8th on the top list. Its revenues were up by 33 percent, Penny Market in 9th place increased the number of its units from 163 to 169. The noticeable expansion of the drugstore channel was mainly due to the expansion produced by drogerie markt, which increased the number of its units from 206 to 233 last year. As a result of acquisition, Plus is to disappear from the top list, while the same will happen to Héliker. Aldi entering the market in April 2008 with 5 units was a new player on the top list. In the remaining part of 2008, it opened another 40 units. The number of traditional food shops was down by 1400 units last year, to 19,935.