Twenty brands have debuted on the Czech retail market in the first half of 2024, the highest number ever recorded. The biggest categories were Health and Beauty (six brands) and F&B (five brands).
Balmain Hair Couture, Parfums Christian Dior, and Le Labo are newcomers in the luxury segment and the most noteworthy arrivals on the Czech market in the first half of the year. They were joined by Sister’s Aroma from Ukraine and Spa Ceylon from Sri Lanka.
“We can confirm that we remain in talks with several luxury and premium cosmetics brands looking to enter the Czech market,” said Jan Kotrbáček, Partner and Head of Retail Agency CEE at Cushman & Wakefield. “This trend suggests that the Czech Republic is emerging as an increasingly attractive proposition for luxury brands, which see expanding potential here.”
F&B chains opening in the Czech Republic were Slovak fast food company Amerikanos, Ukraine’s fine-dining Nai, the Box Donut from Hungary, Turkish confectioner Malatya Pazari, and bubble tea vendor Makamaka, which replaced Taiwan’s Chatime on the local market.
The most eagerly awaited F&B launch this year is undeniably the US fast food brand Five Guys, which is expected to open its first branch in the recently opened Máj shopping centre on Národní Avenue in Prague. Its counterpoint, offering a range of healthy meals and salads, will be dean&david also setting up its first location in the Máj shopping centre. It will compete later this year with SKA, the Georgia-based healthy snack chain operating out of the Quadrio shopping centre next door. SKA is also opening its first branch on Kaprova Street in Prague.
“The arrival of new F&B concepts, generally from neighbouring countries, proves how diversified and dynamic the Czech market is. Consumers are looking for increasingly diverse dining experiences,” says Jan Kotrbáček.
Fashion brands have been underrepresented so far. Premium Italian fashion brand Bikkembergs and France’s Danyberd have entered the Czech market. In the Accessories sector, Eyerim – the Slovak eyewear brand – has opened its first shop in Karlín. There are two new electronic brands: MIA Dynamics (American electric scooters) and DJI, which opened its first flagship DJI drone shop in Masaryčka. IEM Spa, the Slovak beauty clinic, has also opened its first branch in this office development. In the leisure and entertainment segment, Europa Experience opened in Palác Dunaj in Prague. Westfield Chodov now has a branch of the TUI travel agency. Furniture is represented by Spain’s Kave Home, and bathroom accessories by the Austrian brand Vossen.
