Top 10 Supermarket Retail Chains In Hungary

Updated July 16, 2024 3:01 PM By Steve Wynne-Jones

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Top 10 Supermarket Retail Chains In Hungary

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At the start of July, Hungary assumed the presidency of the European Union, presenting its agenda titled "Make Europe Great Again," a phrase reminiscent of Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again."

This agenda has not been well-received by the majority of EU member states, however Hungarian representatives emphasised their commitment to defending national interests both within the EU and globally, with the 'Make Europe Great Again' slogan playing a central role in their narrative. The impact of this agenda will be closely monitored in the coming months.

According to the latest consumer price index data from Hungary's statistical body (KSH), consumer prices in June 2024 were 3.7% higher on average compared to the same month in the previous year.

The food sector saw a 1.1% year-on-year price increase, with significant rises in specific items: sugar increased by 27.4%, chocolate and cocoa by 9.1%, fruit and vegetable juices by 8.7%, meals at restaurants by 8.1%, pork by 7.8%, and non-alcoholic beverages by 5.6%. Conversely, there were notable decreases in the prices of eggs (22.3%), flour (19.2%), milk products (10.2%), pasta products (10.0%), bread (8.2%), milk (6.2%), and poultry meat (5.5%).

Month-on-month, consumer prices remained unchanged, although food prices dropped by 0.3% on average. This decline was mainly due to a 4.4% decrease in the prices of seasonal food items, including potatoes, fresh vegetables, and fresh domestic and tropical fruits. Excluding these seasonal items, food prices increased by 0.2% on average.

Earlier this year, the European Commission announced it was investigating a complaint regarding Hungary's tax on foreign retailers. Taxes on retailers in Hungary have steadily increased since the introduction of a special tax in 2020, with the current tax rate reaching up to 4.5% of revenues.

SPAR Austria CEO Hans Reisch, in letters to the European Commission, highlighted that foreign-owned retailers, such as SPAR Hungary, face the highest tax brackets under this special tax, while Hungarian competitors operating in franchise chains benefit from lower tax rates.

Elsewhere, Austria's economy and foreign ministers addressed letters to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, arguing that Hungary's taxation policies disproportionately affect foreign retailers' profitability in the country.

Here's an overview of the top ten supermarket retail chains in Hungary, 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. SPAR
Turnover: €2.43 billion (2021)

Having had a presence in the market since 1992, SPAR is the largest supermarket retail chain in Hungary with a turnover of €2.43 billion as of 2021. It operates under several banners, including DESPAR, INTERSPAR, SPAR, SPAR City, and SPAR Express. SPAR has 581 stores in Hungary (as of 2023).

Since entering the market in 1991, SPAR has invested a total of HUF 539 billion in Hungary up to the end of 2023.

2. Lidl
Turnover: €1.9 billion (2021)

With a turnover of €1.9 billion in 2021, Lidl is the second-largest retail chain in Hungary. The discounter, part of Germany's Schwarz Group, has an estimated 200 stores across the country.

Lidl has had a presence in Hungary since 2004.

3. Coop
Turnover: €1.8 billion (2021)

Coop is a Hungarian cooperative retail chain that reported an estimated turnover of €1.8 billion in 2021. It operates under the Coop banner and has 2,300 stores across Hungary as of last year.

4. Tesco
Turnover: €1.8 billion (2021)

British retailer Tesco has had a longstanding presence in the Hungarian market, and reported a turnover of €1.8 billion in 2021. The group operates an estimated 200 stores across Hungary, under the Tesco Express and Tesco Superstore banners.

Last year, the group’s chief executive, Ken Murphy, warned that Hungary is proving to be a “much more challenging” market for Tesco, although the retailer is prepared to ride out the current market difficulties.

5. Real Elelmiszar
Turnover: €1 billion (2022, estimated)

Real Elelmiszar operates under the Reál Élelmiszer and Reál Pont banners, boasting 880 stores across Hungary as of 2023. The group reported an estimated turnover of €1 billion in 2022.

The Real group of companies is a 100% Hungarian-owned retail company that began operating in Hungary on January 1, 2001.

6. Auchan
Turnover: €1.3 billion (2022)

Having had a presence in Hungary since the mid-1990s, Auchan currently operates 24 stores across Hungary, largely in the hypermarket arena. It reported a turnover of €1.3 billion in 2022.

Auchan opened its first store in Hungary in 1998.

5. CBA
Turnover: €1.54 billion (2021)

Headquartered in Hungary, CBA operates 370 stores in the country, as well as having a presence in several other central and Eastern European markets. Founded in 1992, the group reported a turnover of €1.54 billion in 2021.

8. Penny Market
Turnover: €855 million (2022)

Part of Germany's REWE Group, Penny Market reported a turnover of €855 million in 2022, and operates 227 stores across Hungary. The group opened its first store in the country in 1996.

9. Aldi
Turnover: €854 million

Discounter Aldi reported a turnover of €854 million in Hungary in 2021, and operates 154 stores in the country as of last year. The group's Hungarian operations form part of the Aldi Süd network.

10. Metro C&C
Turnover: €405 million (2021)

German wholesaler Metro reported a turnover of €405 million from its Hungarian operations in 2021. The cash-and-carry group operates 13 stores in the country.

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.