New market study, "Bahrain Retail Report Q3 2011", has been published

July 22, 2011 - PRLog -- BMI's Q311 Bahrain Retail Report forecasts that the country's retail sales will increase from an expected BHD0.71bn (US$1.89bn) in 2011 to BHD0.76bn (US$2.03bn) by 2015. This modest growth, of less than 8%, is a reflection of the uncertain political outlook in the country.

Bahrain's nominal GDP in 2011 is forecast to be US$32.02bn, with real GDP growth expected to contract to -1.6% from 4.5% in 2010 as political and economic difficulties persist. Average annual GDP growth of 4.1% is predicted by BMI between 2011 and 2015. With the population forecast to increase from an expected 0.82mn in 2011 to 0.88mn by 2015, GDP per capita is predicted to rise by 7.2% to US$41,755.

Statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Information's tourism affairs division show that tourist arrivals rose by an average of 10-15% a year over the past three years. In 2007, Bahrain attracted 5.5mn tourists, 4.9mn of them from other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member countries. Before the political unrest, tourism arrivals were forecast to rise by an average of 2.5% per annum over the next decade.

------------------------------------------------------------
Full Report Details at
- http://www.fastmr.com/prod/208345_bahrain_retail_report_q...
------------------------------------------------------------

The annual Formula One grand prix in Sakhir has generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue since it became a fixture on the racing calendar in 2004 and its cancellation in 2011 is likely to have had a knock-on effect on retail sales. It was still uncertain whether the race will be reinstated for later in the 2011 season at the time of writing.

In 2005, 71.2% of the Bahraini population was described by the UN as economically active, with 40.7% in the 20-44 age range crucial for retail sales. In 2010, 72.7% of the population was estimated to be economically active but the proportion of those in the 20-44 age band fell by 39.9%.

The very high level of urbanisation in Bahrain is an important factor. In 2005, more than 90% of the population was classified by the UN as urban and this rose to an estimated 91% in 2010. About 89% of the population live in the cities of Manama and Muharraq.

Retail sub-sectors that are predicted to show strong growth over the forecast period include automotives, with sales forecast to rise by nearly 17% from an expected 49,157 units in 2011 to 57,300 units by 2015. However, 2011 has been difficult, with H111 sales down by 50-70% on the same period last year, according to Gulf News. With the Bahraini consum er electronics market well positioned to function as an electronics trading hub, particularly between India and the Far East, sales are predicted to increase from an expected US$0.45bn in 2011 to nearly US$0.57bn by the end of the forecast period, a rise of more than 25%.

Over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical sales are expected to rise by 32.1% over the forecast period, increasing from a US$20.0mn in 2011 to US$26.42mn by 2015.

Retail sales for our set of Middle East and Africa (MEA) countries in 2011 are predicted to amount to US$264.22bn, based on the varying national definitions. Total consumer spending for the region based on BMI's macroeconomic database is forecast at US$722.41bn. In 2011, BMI predicts that South Africa and Saudi Arabia will together account for an estimated 57.6% of regional retail sales, with Israel accounting for a further 15.3%. By 2015, the combined share of South Africa and Saudi Arabia is expected to reach 59.6%. For Bahrain, the estimated 2011 market share of 0.7% is expected to decrease to 0.5% by 2015.

Report Table of Contents:

SWOT Analysis
- Bahrain Retail Business Environment SWOT
- Bahrain Political SWOT
- Bahrain Economic SWOT
Market Overview
- Current Trends
- Key Players
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Retail Growth Outlook
- Table: Bahrain Retail Sales Indicators, 2008-2015
- Table: Retail Sales Breakdown By Key Segment, 2011f
- Consumer Outlook
- Macroeconomic Outlook
- Table: Bahrain Economic Activity, 2006-2015
Regional Retail Outlook
- Table: Middle East And Africa Retail Trends, 2008-2015
- Table: Regional Retail Sales By % Share, 2008-2015
- Current Trends
Business Environment Outlook
- Middle East And Africa Business Environment Ratings
- Bahrain's Retail Rating
- Limits To Potential Returns
- Risks To Realisation Of Returns
Mass Grocery Retail
- Bahrain Mass Grocery Retail SWOT
- Market Overview
- Industry Forecast Scenario
- Table: MGR Sales, 2007-2015
- Table: Bahrain Grocery Retail Sales By Format, 2009 And 2019
- Industry Developments
Consumer Electronics
- Bahrain Consumer Electronics Market SWOT
- Market Overview
- Table: Distributors For Leading Brands In Bahrain
- Industry Forecast Scenario
- Table: Consumer Sales Electronics Overview, 2007-2015 (US$mn)
- Industry Developments
Automotives
- Bahrain Auto Industry SWOT
- Market Overview
- Table: Key Players In Bahrain's Auto Sector
- Industry Forecast Scenario
- Table: Auto Industry Sales, 2008-2015
- Regional Industry Developments
Country Snapshot: Bahrain Demographic Data
- Section 1: Population
- Table: Demographic Indicators, 2005-2030
- Table: Rural/Urban Breakdown, 2005-2030
- Section 2: Education And Healthcare
- Table: Education, 2002-2005
- Table: Vital Statistics, 2005-2030
- Section 3: Labour Market And Spending Power
- Table: Employment Indicators, 2000-2005
- Table: Consumer Expenditure, 1999-2004 (US$)
- Table: Average Annual Wages, 2000-2012
BMI Methodology
- How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
- Sources

About Business Monitor International

Business Monitor International (BMI) offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help senior executives, analysts and researchers assess and better manage operating risks, and exploit business opportunities, across 175 markets.  BMI offers three main areas of expertise: Country Risk BMI's country risk and macroeconomic forecast portfolio includes weekly financial market reports, monthly regional Monitors, and in-depth quarterly Business Forecast Reports.  Industry Analysis BMI covers a total of 17 industry verticals through a portfolio of services, including in-depth quarterly Country Forecast Reports.  View more research from Business Monitor International at http://www.fastmr.com/catalog/publishers.aspx?pubid=1010

About Fast Market Research

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.

For more information about these or related research reports, please visit our website at http://www.fastmr.com or call us at 1.800.844.8156.

# # #

Fast Market Research is an online aggregator and distributor of market research and business information. We represent the world's top research publishers and analysts and provide quick and easy access to the best competitive intelligence available.