Montenegro retail market and sales channels

Published on 15. December 2022., Business Environment

Distribution & Sales Channels

The Foreign Trade Law adopted in 2004 decreases barriers for doing business and executing foreign trade transactions in accordance with WTO agreements. However, the law includes some restrictive measures, such as quotas, and discretionary government intervention. Customs and tax enforcement has helped reduce illegal imports and unlicensed business activities. The retail sector was restructured as sales chains were privatized and acquired by larger groups, leading to the emergence of new private retailers in the market. Retail grocery and trade is now dominated by private regional companies such as Idea, Voli and Lakovic. The trade sector in Montenegro is now 100 percent privately owned. Customers are increasingly switching from local markets to modern shopping centers, newly established domestic supermarkets, and retail chains where goods are often cheaper and of better quality. The retail sector also includes kiosks, small shops and open-air markets.

Capital goods are normally sold directly to manufacturers and businesses. When selling capital goods or machinery to businesses, a good agent with regional and domestic knowledge is essential.

Using an Agent to Sell Products and Services

The use of agents and distributors is an important mechanism for foreign firms to enter the Montenegrin market. Many firms find it is more efficient and cheaper to hire a good local marketing agency/ agent/distributor than to conduct direct sales or marketing. Contact us for more informations or assistance at Mercados.