This report contains a detailed study about the European retail market and its various segments. The industry can be divided into a number of different formats and the types of such formats are increasing. Moreover, the report talks in details about the broad market segments of the retail market and their respective growth rates and and market share. It also compares the European retail market with the retail market in the US.

Further, the report profiles the leading firms of the industry - Carrefour, Tesco, METRO and Koninklijke Ahold - and compares their competitive positioning. It also talks about the strategies adopted by these firms in details. The report also includes a brief financial analysis of the competing firms. It finally ends with a broad future outlook regarding the industry and its overall performance.

Topics Covered

1. Introduction

1.1 Market Definition

The retail industry in Europe comprises sellers of consumer merchandise, including electronics, food, beverages, apparels, furniture, electrical equipments, and books.

1.2 Market Overview

The Retail Industry can be classified into the following formats:

Super Markets

Hyper Markets

Discount Stores

Convenience Stores

Online Retailing

1.3 Market Size

UK

The UK accounted for 8.6% sale of the top 250 retailers worldwide in 2004

France

French retail sales saw a y-o-y growth of 3.7% in value and 3.8% in volume in June 2006

Germany

In 2006, retail sales in Germany rose by 1.9% y-o-y in June 2006

2. Market Segmentation

2.1 Food and Drinks

The European food retail industry stood at US$1.1 trillion in 2005 an increase of 3.7% from 2004. The market has grown at a CAGR of 3.6% during 2001-05.

2.2 Clothing

In 2005, European retail apparel industry is estimated to have generated sales of US$261.9 billion. The industry recorded sales of US$256.9 billion in 2004, contributing 30.8% to the global apparel industry.

2.3 Electricals

The Europe electrical retail market stood at US$184.3 billion in 2005. The UK market is the largest electrical market in Europe and was worth US$45.5 billion in 2005.

2.4 Beauty Care

The European beauty care market is the largest market in the world and contributed to 35.7% of the global cosmetics market in 2005.

2.5 Department Stores

The department stores in Europe contributed about US$40.8 billion or 8.3% of the global department store sales in 2004.

3. Market Dynamics

3.1 Market Trends

Saturation in Western European Markets

Growth in Alternate Media of Selling

Discount Retailers Rule over Small Retail Chains

Private Labels Demand Surge

3.2 Growth Drivers

Attractive Eastern Europe Markets

Rise in Employment Rate

3.3 E-Retailing in Europe

In 2005, online shopping was 2% of the total retail market in Europe and is estimated to be 8% of the total retail sales by 2009

3.4 US versus European Retailers

Comparison made on the following criteria:

Dominant Retail Format

Business Segments

Top Retailers by Sales

Presence in the Top 100 Retailers

4. Competitor Analysis

4.1 Profile of Market Leaders

The section profiles the top players Carrefour, Tesco, METRO and Koninklijke Ahold.

4.2. Competitive Landscape

Comparison of the competitive positions on the following parameters:

Market Share

Number of Retail Stores

New Store Openings

Planned Store Openings

Sales of Dominant Region

Product Range

Store Footage

Store Formats

4.3 Financial Comparison

4.3.1 Income Statement Analysis

An income statement analysis is based on revenues, net income and profit margins

4.3.2 Balance sheet Analysis

The section includes an analysis of liquidity ratios, performance ratios and debt to equity ratios

4.4 Strategies

The section studies strategies of the competing group of Carrefour, Tesco, METRO and Ahold in detail.

4.4 Recent developments

5. Outlook

The European retail industry has a mixed outlook: while the mature markets of Western Europe show a pessimistic outlook with rising interest rates and unemployment, higher income levels have led to brighter prospects in Eastern Europe.

Tables

Figures

Companies Mentioned

Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Kroger, Sears Holding, Costoco, Target, Albertson, Walgreen, Lowes, Safeway, CVS, BestBuy, Carrefour, Tesco , METRO, Koninklijke Ahold, Marks and Spencers, Karstadt, El Corte Inglés, Kaufhof and John Lewis

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c48836