Top 10 Supermarket Retail Chains In Czechia

Updated July 16, 2024 2:24 PM By Steve Wynne-Jones

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Top 10 Supermarket Retail Chains In Czechia

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Consumer prices in the Czech Republic decreased by 0.3% in June on a month-on-month basis, according to data from the Czech Statistical Office (ČSÚ).

This decline was driven by lower prices in transport and food and non-alcoholic beverages. In the food and non-alcoholic beverages category, prices for products in the milk, cheese, and eggs group decreased by 0.9%, non-alcoholic beverages by 1.3%, smoked meat and sausages by 0.9%, fruit by 1.0%, and sugar by 7.3%. In the alcoholic beverages and tobacco category, prices of spirits decreased by 1.5%, beer by 1.0%, and wine by 1.0%.

On a year-on-year basis, consumer prices were 2.0% higher in June, mainly due to higher prices in housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco also contributed to the year-on-year price increase, with prices of spirits up by 4.4%, beer by 3.8%, and tobacco products by 7.3%.

However, food and non-alcoholic beverages largely saw a year-on-year decrease in June. The price of flour decreased by 20.9%, poultry by 12.1%, UHT semi-skimmed milk by 14.7%, eggs by 20.4%, and sugar also by 20.4%.

An exception to this trend was apple prices, which have increased by nearly 20% year-on-year due to last year's poor harvest caused by spring frosts, resulting in lower stock for this year.

The ČSÚ also reported that retail sales increased in real terms by 4.4% year-on-year in May 2024 compared to May 2023. On a month-on-month basis, retail sales decreased by 0.1%. Food sales were up by 0.6% in May, while sales of automotive fuel and non-food goods both decreased by 0.5%.

Jana Gotvaldová, head of the Trade, Transport, and Services Statistics Unit at the CZSO, noted that "Sales in the retail trade adjusted for price effects continued to grow year-on-year, while the growth rate slackened compared to the preceding two months."

Here's an overview of the top ten supermarket retail chains in Czechia, according to their most recently-available full-year turnover. All data is supplied by Retail-Index.

***EXCLUSIVE OFFER*** Gain access to Retail-Index.com with a limited discount of 15% – use the code ESM15 in the remarks section on the Price & Order form.

1. Lidl
Turnover: €2.9 billion (2021)

With a turnover of €2.9 billion (as of 2021) and currently boasting 267 outlets, discounter Lidl holds the title of the biggest supermarket retail chain in the Czech Republic.

The Schwarz Group-owned retailer has had a presence in the country since 2003.

2. REWE
Turnover: €2.8 billion (2021)

REWE is a German supermarket retail chain that operates under two banners - Billa and Penny. With a turnover of €2.8 billion in 2021 and currently boasting 658 outlets, it is the second-largest supermarket retail chain in the Czech Republic. It has had a presence in the country since 1991.

3. Kaufland
Turnover: €2.6 billion (2022)

A sister retailer to Lidl, hypermarket chain Kaufland boasted turnover of €2.6 billion in 2022, and currently has 141 outlets. The Schwarz Group-owned banner has had a presence in the country since 1997.

4. Ahold Delhaize
Turnover: €2.4 billion (2021)

Ahold Delhaize operates in the Czech Republic under the Albert banner. With a turnover of €2.4 billion (as of 2021) and currently boasting 336 outlets, it is the fourth-largest supermarket retail chain in the country. Ahold Delhaize has had a presence in the country since 1991.

Last year, the group announced the expansion of its online delivery service in Czechia.

5. Tesco
Turnover: €1.7 billion (2022)

British retailer Tesco has had a presence in Czechia since 1992, and operates stores under three banners, Tesco, Tesco Express, and Tesco Extra. The retailer reported a turnover of €1.7 billion in 2022, and currently has 185 outlets in the country, including a number of forecourt outlets.

6. Makro
Turnover: €1 billion (2021)

Makro is a Czech cash and carry chain operated by Germany's Metro AG. It has had a presence in Czechia since 1997, reporting a turnover of €1 billion in 2021. It currently operates out of 13 outlets, one more than last year.

7. Globus
Turnover: €995 million (2022)

Globus is a German hypermarket chain that operates in the Czech Republic under the Globus SB Market banner. With a turnover of €995 million (in 2022) and 16 outlets (as of this year), it is the seventh-largest supermarket retail chain in the country. It has had a presence in the country since 1996.

8. JIP
Turnover: €520 million (2021)

JIP is a Czech supermarket retail chain that operates under two banners – JIP and JIP Cash & Carry. It reported a turnover of €520 million in 2021, and currently operates out of 42 locations, of which 28 are retail stores, and 14 cash-and-carry outlets.

9. Coop
Turnover: €371 million (2021)

Cooperative retailer Coop operates under four banners in Czechia: Coop Diskont, Coop Tuty, Terno, and Tip. The group reported a turnover of €371 million in 2021, and boasts an estimated 1,900 outlets as of this year.

10. Norma
Turnover: €99 million (2021)

In tenth place, Norma is owned by the German group of the same name. The group reported a turnover of €99 million in 2021, and currently has around 50 outlets across the country.

Other retailers of note include Bala, which operates under the Bala and Bala gastro banners (and has more than 1,200 outlets); CBA, part of the Hungarian chain of the same name, which has around 1,000 stores in the country, and Hruška, which boasts 537 outlets as of this year.

About Retail-Index

Retail-Index is a specialist supplier of management information on consumer retail markets, provided by Veraart Research Group in the Netherlands. Its mission is to supply managers with up-to-date key information on retail markets in Europe and support them in their international expansion.

The company dates back to 1964, when it started as a market research and marketing consulting company for consumer products and services. In 1989, it started publishing written reports on various retail sectors in Europe. As of 2005, it publishes its information on retailers through the online database and curated datasheet exports available on www.retail-index.com. A team of researchers manages the data to reflect upon current developments in the markets, collected from an extensive number of sources.