Retailing

Vending in Bulgaria performed strongly in 2023, registering double-digit value growth, as well an increase in constant value sales, despite continuing high inflation. Convenience and on-the-go consumption drove consumer demand. While hot and soft…

Supermarkets in Bulgaria registered current value growth, though constant value sales fell. Inflation was still an issue and impacted profitability. That being said, supermarkets are the largest modern grocery retailer in terms of value sales, with…

Inflation was still an issue in 2023 for small local grocers in Bulgaria, though growth eased. As such, though current value sales rose, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut profit margins. There was also minimal openings of new…

High inflation continued to impact retail in Bulgaria in 2023, though growth in retail prices did ease. As such, though current value sales increased, there was a fall in constant value sales, as continuing rising costs hit profit margins, and also…

High inflation impacted retail e-commerce in Bulgaria in 2023. As such, though retail e-commerce registered high current value growth, constant value sales fell. Consumers cut back on spending on less essential items and this impacted e-commerce.…

After discounters, hypermarkets were the best performing grocery channel in Bulgaria in 2023 in terms of value growth. With inflation still high, hypermarkets registered a small increase in constant value sales. Recent opening of new outlets also…

Home products specialists in Bulgaria registered current value growth in 2023, though constant value sales fell. Inflation was still an issue and impacted profitability. That being said, it was homewares and home furnishing stores that dragged down…

Despite continuing high inflation, performance for health and beauty specialists in Bulgaria was stable, with constant value sales rising slightly. There was also further opening of outlets. Value sales through pharmacies continued to account for…

Muted performance for general merchandise in 2023

Discounters in Bulgaria were the best performing grocery retailers in 2023. With inflation still being high, consumers were price sensitive and prioritised value for money. As such, discounters registered a moderate increase in constant value sales.…

Direct selling registered a fall in current value sales in Bulgaria in 2023. Both high inflation and a shift away from direct selling to e-commerce led to a drop in sales, as e-commerce also provides the convenience of direct delivery. In fact,…

2023 was not a good year for convenience retailers in Bulgaria. With inflation still being high, consumers cut back on spending in convenience retailers, as prices tend to be higher than in other grocery retailers. In addition, there is a degree of…

Performance was muted in 2023 for appliances and electronic specialists in Bulgaria, with minimal current value growth, and constant value sales falling. Continuing rising prices cut into profit margins and reduced consumers’ purchasing power. As…

With inflation still being an issue, though apparel and footwear specialists in Bulgaria registered an increase in current value sales, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut into profit margins. There was also a slight decline in…

In an uncertain economic environment that saw local consumers limit their purchases on non-essential items, the retail constant value sales of variety stores continued to decline during 2021, albeit at a slightly lower rate than in the previous year.…

The number of traditional grocery retailers was in decline even before the onset of the pandemic, and COVID-19 has accelerated this trend by making many local consumers more price sensitive. Moreover, traditional grocery retailers face increased…

The share of e-commerce (goods) retail value sales accounted for by mobile e-commerce is rising rapidly. Indeed, it almost doubled between 2018 and 2021, approaching 40% during the latter year. As with e-commerce in general, demand for mobile…

Homeshopping sales in Bulgaria are generated primarily from TV shopping, making the channel heavily dependent on the state of TV advertising in the country. Towards the end of the review period, the two leading broadcasters, Nova and bTV, introduced…

Having plunged by a fifth during 2020 when they were forced to close for an extended period due to COVID-19 restrictions, the constant value sales (2021 prices) of home and garden specialist retailers rebounded very strongly in 2021 – exceeding their…

In contrast to most other non-grocery retail specialists, the rate of growth in constant value sales (2021 prices) of health and beauty specialist retailers accelerated during 2020 and 2021. Heightened local consumer interest in health and wellness…