RECORD INTEREST OF BRANDS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC, 20 BRANDS ENTERED THE MARKET IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE YEAR

A record 20 brands entered the domestic retail market in the first six months of this year, most often cosmetics and gastronomic concepts.

The most significant entries into the Czech market in the first half of the year were Balmain Hair Couture, Parfums Christian Dior and Le Labo, which belong to the luxury segment. In the cosmetics section, Sister's Aroma from Ukraine and Spa Ceylon from Sri Lanka also entered the market. These are among the top 20 brands that have newly appeared on the Czech market, a record number for the first six months, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Of the 20 brands, 19 opened in Prague, with only one in an outlet centre in the Moravian town of Haty.

"We can confirm that we continue to negotiate with several luxury and premium cosmetics brands interested in entering the Czech market. This trend shows that the Czech Republic is becoming an increasingly attractive destination for luxury brands that see growing potential here," says Jan Kotrbáček, Partner and Head of Retail Leasing for Central and Eastern Europe at Cushman & Wakefield.

In terms of gastronomic concepts, Slovak fast food Amerikanos, Ukrainian fine dining Nai, Hungarian The Box Donut, Turkish confectionery Malatya Pazari and bubble tea Makamaka, which replaced Taiwanese Chatime on the local market, have opened in the country.



According to the firm, the most anticipated entry in the foodservice sector this year is clearly American fast food Five Guys. It is expected to open its first outlet in the newly opened Máj shopping centre on Národní třída in Prague. Its counterpart, offering a healthy food and salad section, will be Dean & David, which will also open its first branch in the Máj shopping centre. The Georgian healthy snack concept SKA will compete with it in the Quadrio shopping centre next door later this year. It will first open its first branch in Kaprova Street in Prague.

Fashion brands have been underrepresented so far. Premium Italian fashion brand Bikkembergs or French Danyberd have entered the Czech market.

In the accessories sector, it is the Slovak optician Eyerim, which opened its first store in Karlín. The electronics section has two brands - American electric scooters Mia Dynamics, or the company DJI, which introduced the first flagship store of DJI drones in Masarycka. Slovak aesthetic clinic IEM Spa also opened its first branch within this office project.

"The presence of technology brands such as DJI and Mia Dynamics is proof that the Czech market has potential even in the high-tech sector. As interest in new technologies and innovations grows, we expect further expansion of these segments in the coming years," adds Kotrbáček.

Furthermore, in the leisure and entertainment segment, the Experience Europe concept, which is part of the Europa Experience visitor centres, opened in Prague's Palác Dunaj, offering young people and adults a unique insight into the workings of the European Union. Westfield Chodov now has a branch of the TUI travel agency. Furniture is represented by the Kave Home brand from Spain, bathroom accessories by the premium Austrian brand Vossen.

Source: mam.cz