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InfoTrends/CAP Ventures Report Examines Obstacles and Opportunities in Central and Eastern European Consumables Markets

(Luton, UK) November 08, 2004…There are increasing opportunities for office supplies and consumables manufacturers and distributors in Central and Eastern Europe. InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ new white paper entitled Overview of Central & Eastern European Office Supplies and Consumables Markets provides comprehensive insights into these emerging markets and discusses the role that each of these regions will likely play in the future.

This white paper examines the newest European Union (EU) members, including Czech Republic, Cyprus, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. The report also examines Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, which are currently restructuring their political and economic infrastructures so they can join the EU at a later date.

Key findings of the report include:

• Office product dealers and contract stationers currently dominate the Central and Eastern European markets.
• The retail environment is an important and growing channel for office supplies distribution in many countries.
• Partnerships and joint ventures with local companies are a key approach for entering the consumables and office products markets in Central and Eastern Europe.
• The office supplies and consumables companies are increasingly looking beyond the EU borders towards countries such as Turkey, the Ukraine, and Russia.
• Price is the key purchasing criteria in Eastern Europe, while those in Western Europe place an equal importance on quality.
• Within Central and Eastern Europe, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland account for about 50% - 60% of the per capita GDP in the EU.
• Retail brands in the Czech office supplies and consumables area are currently estimated to account for 10% - 15% of retail market sales and are expected to reach 25% in the near future.
• European resellers in Central and Eastern Europe are focusing more on the sourcing and selling of private-label OP products with an increasing concentration on more technical products like consumables.

“Office and hardware distribution players that intend to thrive in any of the Central and Eastern European countries need to regularly seek information and contacts that will help them understand the market dynamics impacted by the language, culture, and business habits in these regions,” commented Norah Seery, a Director at InfoTrends/CAP Ventures. “Our report analyzes all of these obstacles and provides players with the information necessary to evaluate these emerging markets.”

The white paper entitled Overview of Central & Eastern European Office Supplies and Consumables Markets is available immediately to clients of InfoTrends/CAP Ventures’ Communication Supplies Consulting Service Europe. For more information about the report or to make a purchase, please contact:

InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is the leading worldwide market research and strategic consulting firm for the digital imaging and document solutions industry. We provide research, analysis, forecasts, and advice to help clients understand market trends, identify opportunities, and develop strategies to grow their businesses. Additional information about InfoTrends/CAP Ventures is available on the Web at www.infotrendsresearch.com.