Polish clothing companies entering foreign markets

2010-08-02

Polish clothing companies are planning to expand abroad because of a shortage of modern retail space in Poland, according to Gazeta Prawna. Joanna Wasilewska, of the Polish Council of Shopping Centres (PRCH), quoted by the newspaper, claims that, as a result of the crisis, developers have suspended many shopping gallery projects and that there are 230,000 m² of retail space in the pipeline at present. Furthermore, the competition has intensified as new foreign market players have entered Poland, and Polish firms are, therefore, searching for new markets. Many clothing retailers are also close to saturation point in terms of the number of stores in Poland. By way of example, Tatuum owns 49 stores in the largest Polish cities and is not planning further expansion on the Polish market.
In 2010, clothing firms are expected to set up 200 stores in large cities abroad. Solar, for example, a retailer of luxury women’s clothing, has decided to set up establishments abroad in 2010 and has, so far, already opened stores in Kaliningrad, Russia and Lviv, in Ukraine, with more due in Germany and Belgium in the second half of 2010.
In addition, NG2, which manages the Boti, CCC and Quazi footwear brands, is planning to continue its development in the Czech Republic. At present, the CCC chain has 44 stores and eventually intends to have 77 on the Czech market.
Tatuum is planning to enter the Scandinavian markets. At present, the chain is searching for suitable locations in the Nordic countries in which it could open stores.