RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Subscribe
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
RetailDetail EU
Europe - EN
  • België - NL
  • Belgique - FR
  • Nederland - NL
  • Europe - EN
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Sign in user
  • News
    • Food
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Electronics
    • Beauty/Care
    • DIY/Garden
    • Leisure
    • General
  • RetailDetail Plus
  • Events
  • Hunts
  • RetailHub
  • Advertising & Partnerships
    • EVENT PARTNERSHIPS
    • PRINT ADVERTISING
    • ONLINE ADVERTISING
thumb
Written by Maarten Reul
In this article
Share article
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • email

Hungary bans construction of shopping centres

icon
General16 November, 2011

The Hungarian government has agreed to temporarily ban the construction of new shopping centres. In the next three years, building commercial buildings of more than 300 m² will be forbidden. With this measure, the government hopes to strengthen the position of Hungarian retailers.

Defending Hungarian retailers

“The goal is for the structure of retail to take a change for the better”, said government spokesman András Giró-Szász, who claimed that “69% of Hungarian retail is controlled by 1% of all retail enterprises, typically international corporations.” He said that exceptions could be granted by a special committee, but the conditions to be met are still unknown.

 

The Népszabadság newspaper claimed Aldi and Lidl would be the decision’s main targets: both continue to grow in Hungary, despite (or owing to) the crisis. Other important foreign players on the Hungarian retail market are British Tesco and French Auchan, who would also be banned from building new hypermarkets.

… but endangering Hungarian builders

Representatives of real estate agents, shopping centres and employers are not too amused with the ban. “An average shopping centre creates 1000 jobs”, says Gergely Árendás of real estate agent Wing. His sector has been in a crisis since the Lehman Brothers bankruptcy of September 2008. Last year, the number of new contracts went down a staggering 37%.

 

Ferenc Dávid, spokesman of VOSZ (the Hungarian association of entrepreneurs and employers) warned that the ban will “deliver a blow to the domestic construction industry”. György Vámos, secretary general of OKSZ (the Hungarian trade association) also warned that the most important victim of the new ban will be the construction companies.

Saturated market

For the Hungarian shoppers, this ban is not necessarily a bad thing: the Hungarian shopping centre market is saturated. There are over twenty malls in Budapest alone, and given the average occupancy rate of 80, there is still a lot of room for expansion within the existing buildings.

 

The difficult relation between Hungarian chains and international corporations is not new: recently the CBA chain announced to be interested in buying the local stores of Cora, Match and Profi – all owned by Belgian group Louis Delhaize – to earn a stronger position against the foreign competition.

 

Stay up-to-date

Receive our free newsletters and do not miss out on the latest retail news.

Subscribe
logo

The Hungarian government has agreed to temporarily ban the construction of new shopping centres. In the next three years, building commercial buildings of more than 300 m² will be forbidden. With this measure, the government hopes to strengthen the position of Hungarian retailers. Defending Hungarian retailers “The goal is for the structure of retail to take a change for the better”, said government spokesman András Giró-Szász, who claimed that “69% of Hungarian retail is controlled by 1% of all retail enterprises, typically international corporations.” He said that exceptions could be granted by a special committee, but the conditions to be...

More on General
See more
  • icon
    General27 September, 2023
    The US antitrust authority takes Amazon to court

    The US antitrust watchdog (FTC) is taking Amazon to court in a landmark lawsuit with high stakes. The aim: to break Amazon's power.

  • icon
    General20 September, 2023
    Amazon makes cashierless technology cheaper

    Amazon is switching to RFID technology for its cashierless shops. That should make it easier and cheaper to implement.

  • icon
    General12 September, 2023
    Wilko bankruptcy spells end for 400 shops and 12,500 jobs

    British non-food discounter Wilko is beyond saving: the bankrupt chain is disappearing from the high streets after an ultimate attempt by HMV owner Doug Putman to save 300 shops failed.

Events
  • 19
    Oct
    Category Management Congress
  • 23
    Nov
    RetailDetail Night
Most read
  • icon
    Fashion13 September, 2023
    Inditex achieves record margins in inflationary times
  • icon
    Fashion19 September, 2023
    H&M ends free returns
  • icon
    Food8 September, 2023
    Carrefour exposes “shrinkflation” in stores
  • icon
    Fashion15 September, 2023
    H&M Group flatlines this summer
Follow RetailDetail
  • socialFacebook
  • socialTwitter
  • socialInstagram
  • sociallinkedIn
footer-logo
RetailDetail, the leading b2b-retailcommunity in the Benelux, keeps retail professionals up-to-date by means of online & offline publications, retail events, inspiring retail hunts and the unique co-creation platform retailhub, where retailers and their suppliers can experience the future of shopping.
RetailDetail Mailing Address:
Kolveniersstraat 7, bus 26 
2000 Antwerp
Visiting address:
Stadsfeestzaal – Meir 78 
2000 Antwerp
How to reach us:
Directions
© 2023 RetailDetail
general conditions | privacy policy
+32 3 500 89 59 info@retaildetail.be
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Accept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT