Slovenia

In the small country of Slovenia, with its population of around 2 mio, the number of DIY stores remained unchanged in 2004. At the end of the year there were 60 outlets run by organised DIY retail groups with a combined retail area of 213 000 m². Market leader Merkur numbered 52 outlets at year’s end; 34 of these are wholly owned branches with a total retail area of 120 000 m². The remaining 18 Merkur outlets with a total retail area of approximately 38 000 m2 are operated as franchise stores. According to information from Eurostat, Slovenia’s GNP saw growth of 3.8 per cent in 2004. And plans for 2005 show that the country still has sufficient capacity for further development in the DIY sector. Merkur intends to open one new outlet in Lesce and another in Koper, and Baumax is planning one new opening for Nova Gorica in September 2005.