With 2 million square metres of retail space available until 2010 - four times more than the current level, the domestic market is attracting more and more European clothing and footwear retailers.

"The opening of new stores depends on the development of shopping malls and the quality of available locations," stated Gerald Zimmermann, managing director of Humanic for the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. Humanic is a multi-brand concept store with a minimum surface area of 500 square metres, which was introduced onto the domestic market by Leder and Schuh, the largest Austrian footwear retailer and one of the top six such retailers in Europe.

Leder & Schuh, which operates 70 stores in Eastern Europe, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, has announced the opening of a Romanian store next spring. "The Romanian market is a modern market, inspired by the Italian style," Zimmermann explained. He added that prices vary depending on the brand, starting at a very low level and reaching a higher level for luxury products such as Hugo Boss.

Deichmann, Europe's biggest footwear retailer is not failing to take advantage of the Romania market either, however, the first cities targeted do not include Bucharest. The company, which operated 2,185 stores over 13 European markets at the end of last year, will open its first three stores in Pitesti, Roman and Arad.

"We chose these cities because they are in different areas of the country and will help us cover more regions," said Deichmann officials, explaining their choice of locations. They also confirmed that their plans were not limited to this project alone.

"We want to open six or seven locations in Romania by the end of the year," added the officials. Deichmann's retail prices of footwear range from 5 to 90 euros.

With more and more companies entering the domestic market, local