The Greek group Fourlis, which manages IKEA and Intersport stores, warns that the Romanian market risks becoming similar to the Greek one: Romania is becoming a major "headache".

The management of the Fourlis group, based in Greece, has expressed its concern regarding the deterioration of the market in Romania, which could become similar to the Greek one due to political instability and declining consumer confidence.

The group, which focuses on expanding the IKEA and Foot Locker networks, is in a phase of investment and organizational transformation. However, the current year is expected to be one of the most challenging, considering the rising operational costs and geopolitical turmoil.

In the first quarter, sales decreased by approximately 4%, and in the second quarter, estimates indicate a decline of 28%-30%. The CEO emphasized that sales now depend on aggressive promotions, which affect profit margins. The negative impact on operational results could reach 3.5 million euros, which is why the group prioritizes cost reduction and centralization of operations.