Money Buzz! Europa

Category: Business

  • Austria registered 2.341 new patents in 2019

    Austria registered 2.341 new patents in 2019

    Austrian companies and researchers registered 2.341 new patents at the European Patent Office (EPO) in 2019, says Invest in Austria.

    The 2.341 patent applications submitted to the European Patent Office (EPO) surpassed the previous record of 2.281 applications in 2018.

    ABA writes that ”The most patents were registered in the segment of electrical machinery, apparatus and energy (2019: 249), followed by the field of transport (2019: 190)”.

    Borealis leads the list of applicants, registering 179 patents

    Tritonic placed second with 77 patents registered, followed by AMS with 65.

    The most European patent applications originated in Vienna (614) in the year 2019. Upper Austria (478) and Styria (325) placed second and third respectively.

  • SPAR reports global retail sales of €37.1 billion for 2019

    SPAR reports global retail sales of €37.1 billion for 2019

    SPAR has reported sales of €37.1 billion for the year ending 31 December 2019, representing a 4.35% increase in revenue.

    At the end of the year there were 13.320 SPAR branded stores operating across 48 markets worldwide in four continents, an increase of 208 stores over the previous year.

    Expansion has seen over 1.200 new stores added to the SPAR global network in the last four years.

    The brand was launched in two new markets in 2019, Kosovo and Armenia.

    SPAR Western Europe

    In the 16 Western European markets where SPAR has a presence, sales grew by 3.57% to €22.9 billion, equating to 62% of SPAR’s global turnover.

    Highlights included the performance of SPAR Austria which reported revenue of €7.2 billion, making it market growth leader for the tenth year in a row.

    SPAR Netherlands achieved an unprecedented growth of 22.8% prompted by the success of its multi-format expansion strategy and SPAR Spain recorded growth of 8.8%.

    SPAR CEE

    Central and Eastern Europe recorded the most significant increase in sales of 6.83% across 11 SPAR countries to a historic high of €6.2 billion, with SPAR Hungary the stand out performer, reporting sales of €2.09 billion – an increase of over 10% on the previous year.

    SPAR Russia continued its growth, with sales of €2.14 billion – growth of 7.6% year-on-year.

    SPAR’s newer territories in the region experienced the most significant growth including SPAR Georgia (+79%), SPAR Albania (+19%), SPAR Ukraine (+141%) and SPAR Belarus (+300%).

    SPAR Africa & the Middle East

    Africa & the Middle East, where the brand has a presence across 14 countries, SPAR maintained its growth trajectory with sales of €6.06 billion – a 5.26% increase on 2018.

    SPAR South Africa posted a 7% year-on-year growth, with sales of €5.09 billion. More than 60% of total revenue in 2019 came from the larger format SUPERSPAR stores.

    Other notable performers were SPAR Mozambique (+34%), SPAR Nigeria (+10%) and SPAR Botswana (+12%).

    In the Middle East, SPAR Saudi Arabia had a stand-out year recording growth of 57% year-on-year driven by increased footfall in existing stores, as well as the launch of smaller format SPAR and SPAR Express stores.

    SPAR United Arab Emirates achieved a key milestone with the expansion of the SPAR brand to Dubai.

    SPAR Asia Pacific

    SPAR consolidated its position across many of the markets it operates with year-on-year growth of 3.04% and retail sales of €1.94 billion.

    Together, the seven regional SPAR entities in China combined to produce revenue of €1.54 billion, an increase of 2.16%.

    SPAR in China grew its presence with expansion into the new northern region of Zhangjiakou, and the opening of 30 new hypermarkets and supermarkets.

    SPAR India expanded the brand into a number of regional and provincial cities, particularly in southern India, and recorded sales increase of 22%.

    SPAR Thailand continued its rapid expansion to also record growth of 22% in 2019.

  • Business profit share recorded sharpest drop in the euro area

    Business profit share recorded sharpest drop in the euro area

    In the first quarter of 2020, when Member States began to widely introduce COVID-19 containment measures in March 2020, the business profit share dropped to 37.9% in the euro area, compared with 39.6% in the previous quarter.

    This decline of the business profit share is the highest since the beginning of the series in 1999.

    The business investment rate in the euro area was slightly down to 25.5% in the first quarter of 2020, compared with 25.8% in the previous quarter.

    These data come from a first release of seasonally adjusted quarterly European sector accounts from Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, and the European Central Bank (ECB).

  • 1.500 Romanian patients opted for medical treatments at PremiQaMed Vienna

    1.500 Romanian patients opted for medical treatments at PremiQaMed Vienna

    PremiQaMed receieved 1.500 Romanian patients in 2019, in its medical facilities in Vienna. They spent over 4 million Euros in total for medical care.

    In the first quarter of 2020, PremiQaMed received 350 Romanian patients, compared with 450 in the same period last year.

    Morover, since the borders opened mid-June for Romanian citizens, the group recieved 70 Romanian patients, and expects about 100 in July.

    For 2020, the group estimates 1.250 Romanians in total to come for inpatient or outpatient treatments, with summer more likely to be busier than any other time of the year.

    Average sum for treaments at 7.000 EUR

    The average sum for inpatient treaments are approximately 7.000 EUR, all depending on the severity of the condition, while for outpatient diagnostics/treatments costs vary from 300 – 2.000 EUR, depending on the case.

    Every year, PremiQaMed welcomes around 8.000 international patients, Romania being one of the top 5 countries, alongside Russia, Germany, Ukraine and Serbia.

    In fact, 1 din 6 PremiQaMed international patients is Romanian (approx. 17-18% of all international patients).

    Austria is one of the leading medical tourism destinations

    With the second largest number of doctors per 100,000 inhabitants in the European Union, Austria is currently one of the leading medical tourism destinations.

    Austria has one of the most powerful medical systems in Europe, and this has been once again proven by the proficient way it handled the coronavirus crisis in the past months.

    According to the Commercial Bureau of the Austrian Embassy in Bucharest, for over 4.000 Romanian patients Austria is the first choice destination in terms of medical tourism, every year.

    Moreover, Romanians choose Austria due to high trust in the medical system and excellent price-quality ratio.

    In Austria, there are around 265 hospitals, more than 900 outpatient clinics, more than 70 rehabilitation centres, more than 800 old people’s and nursing homes, around 30 geriatric centres and 9 hospices.

  • La chiave di Confindustria Romania al servizio anche dell’industria italiana

    La chiave di Confindustria Romania al servizio anche dell’industria italiana

    Un straordinaria partecipazione dalla Romania ma anche moltissimi collegamenti dai Paesi dell’est Europa come Bulgaria, Albania, Polonia e dalle Confindustrie italiane. Aziende collegate anche da Milano, Padova, Udine, Brescia, Bergamo, Parma, Roma, Bari e Napoli.

    Soluzioni sanitarie, certificazioni e prodotti derivanti dall’Intelligenza Artificiale in un unico innovativo Protocollo per un ambiente di lavoro piu’ sicuro ma anche piu’ sereno.

    ”Non e’ possibile rimanere passivi e limitarsi a seguire le regole per contenere il contagio da covid-19 nell’ambiente di lavoro. Non bastera’. Molti benefit sanitari indirizzati al lavoratore sono stati pensati e adottati in tempi non sospetti, ma oggi risultano inadeguati al contesto epidemico. Non ci puo’ essere ripartenza in sicurezza se non si guarda oltre quanto gia’ stabilito dai contratti nazionali, ma sempre nel rispetto delle economie aziendali oggi fortemenete sollecitate. Questo e’ quanto abbiamo condiviso all’origine di questa nostra iniziativa, con la principale Confederazione sindacale della Romania, Cartel Alfa. Quale migliore risposta a questa emergenza straordinaria  se non una convergenza progettuale immediata tra Imprenditori, Industriali e lavoratori per garantire produzioni e distribuzioni, convivendo con un virus ancora presente.” dichiara il Presidente di Confindustria Romania Giulio Bertola.

    Una soluzione concreta e molto innovativa che potra’ essere adottata dalle imprese piu’ virtuose che vorranno distinguersi come maggiore responsabilita’ e attenzione verso i propri collaboratori e lavoratori.

    La proposta di Confindustria e’ stata decisamente lungimirante, anche in virtu’ dei vari casi di ulteriori contagi emersi in questi giorni in aziende, sia in Romania che in Italia.

    Ecco quindi migrare questa best pratices dalle partecipate italiane in Romania alle case madri in Italia, lasciando alla Romania il primato di questo intervento di cosi alto valore sociale.

    “La nostra esperienza sindacale consolidata sul territorio e gli esempi di best practice dall’Italia proposti da Confindustria Romania, congiuntamente rappresentano la nuova visione di come potremo agire in maniera concreta, in tempi rapidi, attivando misure straordinarie per poter far fronte ad una crisi straordinaria. Avendo come punto di partenza proprio l’attuale crisi che ha colpito tutti, attraverso questo accordo potremo offrire insieme maggiore sicurezza a tutti quelli coinvolti nel mondo del lavoro, con rispetto per la salute e la vita familiare. Sono convinto che unire le forze per garantire una maggiore sicurezza ai dipendenti e agli imprenditori rappresenterà un elemento fondamentale per il rilancio dell’economia in generale, senza tener conto che in maniera indiretta aiuteremo anche il sistema pubblico romeno, sistema sanitario oggi messo a dura prova”, ha precisato Bogdan Hossu, Presidente di Cartel Alfa.

    Le due forze del paese hanno quindi ragionato a 360° gradi, tutela sanitaria per tutte le persone in prima linea, Imprenditori, manager e lavoratori ma anche maggiore tutela anche nei confronti dei Legali rappresentanti delle aziende, esposti d’ufficio al rischio di  contenziosi legali in caso di contagi in azienda.

  • Red Bull is the most valuable Austrian brand in 2020

    Red Bull is the most valuable Austrian brand in 2020

    Red Bull remains the most valuable Austrian Brand with more than 15 billion euros, latest European Brand Institute study shows.

    Novomatic (3,54 bn euros) and Swarowski (3,46 bn euros) are on 2nd and 3rd place.

    They are followed by SPAR, Erste, Raiffeisen, OBB, OMV, Verbund and XXX Lutz.

    Top 10 Austrian Brands value increased by 10% in 2020, with Verbund the leader, at +29,4% increase compared to 2019.

    It’s for the 17th time when the European Brand Institute (EBI) has conducted its Austrian Brand Value Study and identified the most valuable brand companies.

  • 41.087 new enterprises were created in Austria in 2018

    41.087 new enterprises were created in Austria in 2018

    In 2018, 41.087 new enterprises were created in Austria, according to the latest available data by Statistics Austria.

    Referring to the total number of active enterprises on the market, this corresponds to an enterprise creation rate of 7.4%.

    Compared to 2017 (7.6%), the intensity of enterprise creation slightly decreased.

    1.5 jobs were created on average per newly founded enterprise.

    At the same time, 32.006 enterprises closed, resulting in an enterprise closing rate of 5.8%.

    Per enterprise closed down, 1.6 jobs were lost on average.

  • The aluminium producer ALRO Slatina is celebrating its 55th anniversary

    The aluminium producer ALRO Slatina is celebrating its 55th anniversary

    ALRO S.A., one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers in Europe, measured by production capacity, is celebrating its 55th anniversary.

    Starting to operate in 1965, ALRO currently has two divisions, Primary and Processed Aluminium.

    After constantly investing in new technology, ALRO reached a production of 265,000 tonnes of electrolytic aluminium per annum, a Cast-House capacity of 325,000 tonnes per annum, while producing around 100,000 tonnes per year of flat-rolled products.

    The Company has invested more than USD 700 million since privatization in technology and environmental protection.

    At the time of its establishment, the Company had an electrolytic aluminium production of over 8,000 tonnes per annum and produced only aluminium ingots.

    Currently, the Company has a diversified product portfolio, and out of the total 2019 production, over 83,000 tonnes are represented by high value-added products for the more sophisticated industries, such as automotive and aerospace.

    Moreover, high value-added products used in the aerospace industry have increased by 40% in the last seven years, from over 27,000 tonnes in 2012 to over 38,000 tonnes in 2019.

    Investments in energy efficiency programs

    ALRO has constantly implemented energy efficiency programs and applied circular economy principles in its business and has increased the quantities of aluminium scrap recycled and re-melted, having an Eco-Recycling facility with a capacity of 35,000 tonnes which reintroduces the aluminium in the production circuit with an energy consumption about 95% lower compared to the primary technology (by electrolysis).

    Thus, the Company has accessed non-reimbursable funds for increasing the profitability and development of new products worth over RON 115 million, the projects being completed in 2019.

    Through investment and alignment programs to local and European regulations, the Company has reduced PFC emissions by more than 98% compared to 2002 and more than 39 times compared to 1990, and although it is one of the major consumers of electricity in Romania, ALRO has 99% energy efficiency for electrolysis technology due to investments done.

    Turnover over USD 600 million per year

    The Company’s turnover has stabilized in recent years at more than USD 600 million, although market, business conditions and the legislative environment have varied widely, and this performance has favoured the development of horizontal industry and services in the local community, as well as the decrease of the unemployment rate.

    With more than 4,000 employees, more than 20,000 jobs that indirectly depend on the aluminium industry’s and ALRO Group’s activity.

    Besides this, only ALRO’s contributions to the central and local budgets amounted in 2019 to almost RON 130 million (over USD 30 million).

  • CA Immo rental income 7.2% up in the first three months

    CA Immo rental income 7.2% up in the first three months

    In the first three months of 2020, CA Immo recorded growth in rental income of 7.2% to € 62.4 m (2019: 58.3 m).

    The net result from renting after the first quarter was € 49.6 m (2019: € 46.7 m), a rise of 6.1% on the previous year.

    The efficiency of letting activity, measured as the operating margin in rental business (net rental income to rental income), stood at 79.4% slightly below the previous year’s value of 80.2%.

    The book value of property assets at € 5.2 bn

    Property assets include investment properties (87% share of the total portfolio) and investment properties under development (13%).

    The value of the investment portfolio increased to roughly € 4.5 bn (31 December 2019: € 4.3 bn) as a result of the takeover of further project completions, and is distributed among CEE (45%), Germany (43%) and Austria (12%).

    The portfolio yield was 5.4% and the occupancy rate stood at 95.2%. 

    Investment properties under development include projects under development and land reserves (incl. short-term property assets) with a total book value of around € 682.6 m, of which Germany accounts for 97% and CEE for 3%.

  • H&M will have around 40 stores less at the end of 2020

    H&M will have around 40 stores less at the end of 2020

    H&M net sales decreased by 23% to SEK 83,612 m (108,489) in the first half-year. In local currencies, net sales decreased by 24%.

    Profit after financial items amounted to SEK -3,978 m. The group’s profit after tax amounted to SEK -3,063 m, corresponding to SEK -1.85 per share.

    From 1 March since 31 May online sales increased by 36% in SEK and 32% in local currencies.

    7% of H&M stores are still closed

    From June 1st to date sales decreased by 25% in local currencies compared to the same period the previous year.

    Currently 350 stores, representing 7% of the total number of stores, are still closed. A large number of stores still have local restrictions and limited opening hours.

    A total of 48 of the group’s 51 online markets are open.

    More store closures, less store openings

    For 2020 the pace of closures is being increased and the number of openings reduced compared with what was previously planned.

    Around 170 closures and around 130 openings are planned, resulting in a net decrease in the number of stores of around 40.

  • 75% of multinational groups in Romania estimate a decrease of 25% in revenues

    75% of multinational groups in Romania estimate a decrease of 25% in revenues

    About 75% of survey respondents estimate that the total revenues of the companies they represent will decrease by less than 25% in 2020, compared to 2019, as a result of the medical crisis, according to the survey ”Transfer Pricing Challenges during and post Covid-19”, conducted by PwC Romania during April – May 2020.

    At the same time, almost half of the Romanian entities of the multinational groups estimate the decrease of the profit margin from the transactions with the affiliated parties, and 36% of the respondents indicated that the eventual expenses generated by the COVID-19 crisis won’t be reimbursed by the group.

    In terms of liquidity, most respondents indicated that they had enough cash to support their business, and in the event of major problems, 60% indicated renegotiating payment terms, without contracting new funding.

    Only 20% of responses focused on the option of obtaining additional funding from third parties.

    Expenses generated by the COVID-19 crisis

    The main extraordinary expenses generated by the COVID-19 crisis are related to the workforce, being mentioned by 28% of the respondents.

    Other expenses in this category concern safety at work (equipment, disinfectants), according to a percentage of 20% of the surveyed and logistics companies, show 24% of them.

    Almost a third of respondents say they have already made these expenses, 32% say they will make them in the next 3 months, and 28% by the end of 2020.

    Most respondents have the IT tools to record and measure the financial effects of Covid-19 on related party transactions. The other respondents are not sure of the impact or do not have the necessary resources.

    Other findings

    • 15.5% estimate the decrease in revenues between 25 and 50%.
    • 14% anticipate operating losses due to malfunctions in the economy and 14% decrease in demand from affiliates.
    • The expenses generated by COVID-19 will be passed as local losses of 25% of the companies and only 20% say that there is a chance to share the expenses between the affiliates.
  • Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur reached €471 million in 2019

    Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur reached €471 million in 2019

    Annual sales of SPAR Austria’s Natur*Pur range reached €471 million in 2019. This range has grown in sales at an average of 16% each year for the past twelve years.

    In the first five months of this year, sales growth was as high as 27%, and as a result, annual sales for 2020 are projected to reach half a billion euros.

    The range comprises 1.050 products, forming the largest single brand within the entire product group of 3.500 organic items on offer in SPAR Austria’s stores.

    “This year, we will exceed the historic sales mark of half a billion euros with SPAR Natur*Pur products. Nobody would have expected our sales reaching this level when the first ten organic dairy products were introduced 25 years ago”, said SPAR Austria CEO Dr. Gerhard Drexel.