Sales area density in Austria reaches new record

In 2009 each Austrian citizen has approx. 1,71sqm of retail sales area at his or her disposal: a shopping paradise as large as 2 soccer fields or lake Mondsee.

Between 2005 and 2009 the area growth has slowed considerably. Only in Burgenland a small explosion in growth could be noted: +16,8% since 2005.

This year will - for the first time in over 20 years - bring no net-growth at all. Although this is not due to the economic crisis but mostly due to the already high saturation.

"An increase of density in Burgenland of nearly 17% within 4 years looks dramatic at first sight but is only relative, when you compare it with the growth rates of previous years: a massive slowdown can be seen in Austria. Market participants, that at the beginning of this decade were opening new stores nearly every week, are now much more considerate. There are fewer projects and the economic crisis is damping expansion, too." says Mag. Mark Ruhsam, press relation of RegioData Research, to put things right.

With a sales area density of 1,71 sqm per inhabitant Austria is among the top countries in Europe and in the world. Within the 9 regions however large differences can be seen. The "Pole-position" in 2009 goes to Carinthia with a considerable density of 1,94 sqm/Inh. (+9 % since 2005) and pushes the former top-runner Lower Austria (1,89 sqm/Inh.) back to the second place, followed by Styria (1,80 sqm/Inh.) and Salzburg (1,72 sqm/Inh.). All these regions are above the Austrian average. If you consider the lower purchasing power levels in Carinthia, it can be assumed that the retailes in Carinthia only have a lower turnover per squaremeter.