Ukrainian retail market – time running out for early entrants - May 2008

For a long time, the Ukrainian retail sector has remained somewhat removed from the forces of globalisation and regionalisation. Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the 90s, domestic companies – not necessarily the most efficient – maintained leading positions in this second most-populous former Soviet republic. This situation is quite different to that in Central European countries, such as Poland, Hungary or Romania. However, the market has recently witnessed the entrance of more and more foreign retailers, attracted by the perspective future of the market, which is creating new conditions for all to operate. Interesting times for Ukrainian retail have come.