On the other hand, Real hypermarket chain not only left the ranking but also the market.
The cash & carry store chains – Metro and Selgros, dropped to the second half of the ranking, because of the faster expansion of supermarket and convenience store chains. Such stores drove many traditional retailers out of business, which used to be Metro and Selgros customers. Metro and Selgros do not target consumers but resellers. The only constant presence in the top five are Kaufland and Carrefour, with the latter still in second place, while the former took the lead almost a decade ago. Lidl is a powerful contender for the top spot.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)