“Sales rose by two percent overall in December. There are variations from store to store, but overall the rise is 2%,” according to representatives of Cora, which holds eight stores on the Romanian market. The sales increase occurred as the company opened three new stores this year.
The Belgian-French retailer also says sales in the last month of the year account for 10% of the annual turnover.
Considering that the company’s turnover last year was EUR327.8 million and that estimates for this year are slightly on the rise, December sales are expected to range between EUR33 and EUR35 million, according to ZF calculations based on last year’s turnover, this year’s estimate and the share of December sales.
Philippe Lejeune, head of Cora, says in December Romanians buy toys and food, with chocolate being the best seller.
The top-selling products of Lidl, the largest player in modern retail, are food, fresh products, fruit and vegetables.
This is Lidl’s first year of presence on the local market, with the German company officially taking over discount store chain Plus.
Representatives of Billa, a supermarket chain with around EUR277 million in sales, say in turn that December sales were better than in December last year.
ZF sent a request for information to all players in modern retail about December sales and about the 5 top selling products. With the exception of Cora, Billa and Lidl, companies did not answer ZF’s request or said the data had to do with the company’s internal strategy.
(English version by Daniela Stoican)