Increased numbers of consumers are shopping at supermarkets and discounters in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, according to figures from GfK.
The data for the Czech Republic shows that hypermarkets account for the largest share in the grocery marketplace, with 31.6% (MAT 06/18), this is down from 32.5% the previous year, and 33.1% in 2014.
At the same time, supermarkets have grown their share to 17.0% (2014: 15.4%) and discounters have seen their share rise to 21.5% (2014: 17.3%).
In Slovakia, hypermarkets have largely been able to hold their own, with the sector accounting for 26.5% share in 2018, compared to 26.7% in 2017 and 26.2% in 2014.
Here too, however, supermarkets have seen growth, accounting for 25.5% share this year (22.6% in 2014), while discounters are on 15.9% (2014: 12.8%).
Independent and specialist stores have seen their market share decline in both countries, according to the figures, which were posted on the SOCR ČR (Union of Trade and Tourism in the Czech Republic) website.
Commenting on the rise of supermarkets and discounters, GfK spokesperson Ladislav Csengeri said, "One of their main benefits is time availability, which is a very important criterion for more and more shoppers.
"Discounters and supermarkets, like a modern type of convenience store, are gaining in importance and more customers are likely to buy from them."
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
