Mintel’s European Retail Handbook is in its 24th edition this year. The document provides an overall comprehensive overview of all major European countries, their economies and retail sales. As such, the handbook is produced to complement Mintel’s major sector reports on areas such as supermarkets, clothing and footwear and electrical goods, adding more detail and information about smaller countries.
One of the main goals of this report is to provide comprehensive coverage of all the leading economies in Europe. In fact, we provide the essential background information to understanding the retail scene in each European country covered in the analysis. However, it is not always clear where to draw the line in terms of what constitutes Europe. The smallest country covered in our analysis, for instance, is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, in which the proportion of expatriates is as high as to distort many of the indicators.
Conversely, the handbook does not include certain very small countries, such as Malta and Cyprus, nor does it cover Bosnia, Kosovo or Montenegro. We currently cover Ukraine but not Georgia, and the overall definition herein is purely geographic. As such, even when the UK officially leaves the EU by 31st December 2020, it will still be in Europe.
Mintel’s European Retail Handbook displays top line demographic and economic data, as well as detailed analysis of the retail scene in each country. Where possible, we provide information on the retail sector both on a national and a sector basis. In each country profile we identify the leading players and major retail groups with a clear indication of their size and relative importance. In addition, readers will also find synopses of the retail scene in each country and contact points for sources of additional information.
The primary sources for the statistical information used in the Handbook include official national or pan-European entities. As a result, our analysis can sometimes be limited by the availability of data, although we estimate current data where it is absent. Company data obtained directly from the organisations, or by means of trade press reports and acknowledged research bodies, is reinforced by Mintel estimates and projections.
Last but not least, in this edition of the European Retail Handbook we have included analysis of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in each country, as well as our outlook for full year 2020. Where possible, we discuss this on the level of retail sectors in addition to nationwide.
Definitions
The retail sales data and company turnover figures provided in the Handbook are stated excluding sales tax in order to make the data more comparable across countries. In the vast majority of cases, retail sales figures are straightforward, detailed and reliable. Nevertheless, it is important to mention that in certain instances, Mintel has to use its own estimates and projections to produce credible figures and comparative analysis.
Consumer spending data (final consumption expenditure of households) is quoted including VAT.
As with all previous editions of this Handbook, the amount of explanatory detail that can be included with any set of statistics is limited. Readers will find more in-depth and detailed information in Mintel’s report series on European retailing sectors, which include supermarkets, clothing, footwear, electrical goods, DIY, beauty and personal care retailers, and online retailing.
Mintel also offers a series of financial performance, data-driven products, such as the UK Retail Rankings, the European Retail Rankings and the “Retail Interactive” database of European retailers.
All Mintel's publications can be purchased via www.mintel.com, or the Information Hotline on +44 (0) 20 7606 6000. Mintel is always looking for ways of improving and developing its product range. Any readers with suggestions for changes or additions to next year’s Handbook should contact Neil Mason, Head of European Research, on +44 (0) 20 7606 4533. For specific enquiries not covered by our existing portfolio we offer a customised research and consultancy service.
Finally, there are a number of common abbreviations used throughout this handbook. The main ones are e (Mintel estimate); f (Mintel forecast); p (Provisional data); na (Data not available or not applicable); and JV (joint venture).
