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Serbia’s online retail segment has also been growing strongly, with an uptick in the number of online transactions.
E-commerce in the Balkans, like elsewhere in Europe, experienced a post-pandemic slowdown after online sales reached their peak during the pandemic. However, analysts note that during this period people had learnt to trust online shopping and so the e-commerce trend is rising again.
Serbian online trade platform Ananas E-commerce, part of the Delta Holding corporation, has been expanding in the Balkan region starting with North Macedonia. Ananas’ stated mission is to become the Amazon of the Balkans.
Among the popular e-commerce and shopping websites are technology retailers Gigatron and Tehnomanija, e-pharmacy Srbotrade apoteka, and clothes website Fashion and Friends.
Slovenian retail giant Big Bang agreed in 2023 to acquire 100% of the Serbian online retailer BC Group. Big Bang's strategic goal is to establish itself as the foremost online consumer electronics market player in the region, and the acquisition of BC Group is seen as a significant step toward achieving this aim.
5.10.2 Banks
Serbia has a well-capitalised and liquid banking system, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rating agencies Fitch and Standard & Poor also characterise the sector as well-capitalised, profitable and liquid.
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