Discusses the distribution network within the country from how products enter to final destination, including reliability and condition of distribution mechanisms, major distribution centers, ports, etc.
Last Published: 5/30/2019

Croatia's distribution system is formalized by the Law on Trade which regulates the activities of wholesalers and retailers.

With over twenty percent of the nation’s population and its central location, the capital city of Zagreb is the primary distribution center for the country. The port cities of Split and Rijeka are also important distribution points, and the eastern city of Osijek is the largest and most important distribution point in that region of the country. Croatia’s geographic location, access to seaports, and well developed road (but not rail) transportation system give the country distinct advantages as a regional distribution point, particularly to countries located within the geographic area of the former Yugoslavia.

There are an estimated 7,500 retail outlets in Croatia (including kiosks, small shops, and open markets). In recent years newly developed shopping centers (such as Importanne, King Cross, Kaptol Centar, Avenue Mall, City Centar One, West Gate, Garden Mall, and Arena Centar in Zagreb), modernized or newly-established domestic supermarket and retail chains (such as Konzum, Dinova-Diona, Prehrana, Plodine), and foreign chains (such as Billa, DM, Mercatone, Metro, Bauhaus, Baumax, Kaufland, Lidl, and Interspar) have become dominant players in the marketplace.  When the most important domestic retail chain Konzum and its parent company Agrokor faced severe financial difficulties in early 2017, the Croatian government intervened to prevent bankruptcy and appointed a commissioner to help the creditors restructure the company.  The company is currently undergoing restructuring that could affect its distribution channels and footprint in the region.
 

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