Number of traditional small stores decreased, but they still catch 27 percent of all food sales

The number of general grocery stores decreased by 2 percent, which means a total of 332 stores last year, compared to the previous year. Thus, there were 19 669 stores in late 2010 where food products are being sold in Hungary, according to a new survey by Nielsen market research company.

According to the survey, the small 50 square metre stores are the rarest. There are 11 111 stores of this type, which also suggests that FMCG-business is rather scatteed as compared to international standards.

“The fastest-growing type of stores are hypermarkets and disconts, there are 165 of the former, and 467 of the latter. Supermarkets are also growing: 581 of them are competing for the interest of customers, and the same applies to 201-400 square meter stores, now there are 834 of them – Judit Tóth Szalókyné, director of Nielsen pointed out.