After a major downturn on the Central European retail markets in 2009, last year brought an improvement in the clothing and footwear (C&F) industry. However, growth did not return to all countries. The slowdown continued in Hungary and Slovakia in 2010, whereas the Czech Republic’s fashion market stagnated. Poland remains the largest fashion market in the CE region analysed. In addition, the Polish fashion industry was less severely affected by the economic crisis than those of the other countries.
Taking into account the number of stores operating in the Central European region, Orsay and Deichmann are the most numerous clothing and footwear retail chains. They are present in each of the five markets considered, with around 250 and 415 active stores respectively in mid-2011.
