Retailing in Lithuania – Market Overview and Future Challenges

The article presents an overview and development of the retail trade services sector in Lithuania. The investigated period is from the beginning of 1990, when Lithuania regained its Independence from the Soviet Union, to the end of 2010. The main structural changes in retailing until 2000 when Lithuania passed through a transition economy and later, when a market economy started, are presented. The Lithuanian retail market is characterised by high concentration, market regulation and strong national retail players. The Lithuanian retail sector recently has encountered increasing competition not only due to sharp competition between local players, but also because of entries of foreign companies to the market. The impact of internationalization on the retail trade sector in Lithuania is a relatively new phenomenon. A comprehensive overview of internationalization development in the Lithuanian retail trade sector is presented and future challenges are pointed out in the article.