{"id":19564,"date":"2016-01-07T20:22:11","date_gmt":"2016-01-07T20:22:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/?page_id=19564"},"modified":"2025-09-10T23:13:28","modified_gmt":"2025-09-11T03:13:28","slug":"entering-the-central-europe-market","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/dekking\/europa\/entering-the-central-europe-market\/","title":{"rendered":"Market Entry in Eastern Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Market Entry in Eastern Europe<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-0d847d4c\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-0d847d4c\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2.jpg\" alt=\"SIS Internationaal Marktonderzoek &amp; Strategie\" title=\"Eastern Europe market research (2)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2.jpg 1456w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-2-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1456px) 100vw, 1456px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u00a0<span class=\"s1\">What is the Central European market?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Often, Central and Eastern Europe are discussed as a single region (CEE). There are important differences.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">There are the <strong>Visegrad Four countries<\/strong>, or V4 countries, which share cultural values and common roots in religious traditions. These countries include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span class=\"s1\">The Czech Republic<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Hongarije<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Polen<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Slowakije<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s1\">Other Central European<\/span> countries include Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia,<span class=\"s1\"> and Ukraine, bringing the total to nine countries.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading p1\"><span class=\"s1\">What is your Market Entry Strategy?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Entering a new market starts with a plan, objectives and criteria. Common background information should include the following:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s2\">Distribute vs. manufacture<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;\u2014 many companies begin entering a foreign market by establishing business partnerships that allow them to export into that market. Before choosing one mode of entry over another there are many governmental, legal and financial laws and regulations that need to be reviewed.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong><span class=\"s2\">Infrastructuur<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;\u2014 The roads, railways and related transportation\/logistics alternatives can be key factors regarding the cost and time required to distribute your products. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong><span class=\"s3\">Bevolking\/grootte van de markt<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s4\">&nbsp;\u2014 it is not just the size of a country that matters. It can also be the extent to which a population matches your target\u2019s demographics. <\/span><span class=\"s1\">Poland\u2019s population of nearly 40 million is greater than the other 3 countries combined (<\/span><span class=\"s5\">the Czech Republic, Hungary and Romania have approximately 11 million, 10 million and 5 million inhabitants, respectively<\/span><span class=\"s1\">). This, among other facts, may help you to plan an entry strategy into just one country or the entire region.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading p4\"><span class=\"s1\">Similarities and Differences<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-05095420\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-05095420\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4.jpg\" alt=\"SIS Internationaal Marktonderzoek &amp; Strategie\" title=\"Eastern Europe market research (4)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4.jpg 1456w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-4-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1456px) 100vw, 1456px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s1\">One might prefer to think of the countries of Central Europe as one homogeneous region. But because of differences in their economic development and their experiences during the communist era (pre 1990), combined with their ethnic and linguistic differences, the people in these markets may not relate to your business or its products in a consistent manner. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p4\"><span class=\"s2\"><strong>Talen<\/strong> \u2014<\/span><span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;Though related through their history, each country has its own primary language. There are several other languages spoken in the region, but English is in the minority. So if you need to do any market research or develop marketing or advertising messages, it is important to have staff or a qualified third party available to deal with local communications. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong><span class=\"s2\">Currencies<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\"> \u2014&nbsp;While<\/span><span class=\"s2\"> t<\/span><span class=\"s4\">hey are all members of the EU, only Slovakia has adopted the Euro as its currency. Thus you may be dealing with at least <\/span><span class=\"s1\">4 different currencies in this region. Exchange rate fluctuations should be factored into any financial projections.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3\"><strong><span class=\"s2\">Per capita income<\/span><\/strong><span class=\"s1\"> \u2014 There is considerable variation in how much a typical household earns and has to spend.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span class=\"s1\">On the western side of the Central European countries, Germany and Austria average $47,000 to $51,000.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">To the east,Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Belarus range from about $3,000 to nearly $8,000.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">And in the middle (after all, these are in \u201cCentral\u201d Europe), Hungary and Poland average about $14,000, with Slovakia and the Czech Republic between $18-20,000. <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">Combined with population statistics, per capita income can provide one estimate of potential sales, assuming of course, that there is desire to purchase what you sell.&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p3\"><span class=\"s2\"><strong>Economies and industries<\/strong> \u2014<\/span><span class=\"s1\">&nbsp;A few highlights may be useful.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span class=\"s1\">As the largest economy in Central and Eastern Europe and one of the top ones in the EU, <b>Polen <\/b>is one of the key markets to consider. <\/span>It is well situated, as it is next to Germany, southeastern Europe,<span class=\"s1\"> and Russia. Finally, Poland is investing heavily in its infrastructure to upgrade roads and make moving goods within its borders easier.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Slowakije<\/b>\u2019s economy is one of the strongest in the EU. Manufacturing, particularly within the agricultural and automotive industries, is strong.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>Hongarije<\/b> also has a relatively strong economy, skilled and low-cost labor, and a modern infrastructure.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\"><b>The Czech Republic<\/b>\u2019s economy is one ofthe  wealthiest and most stable in the region. It also has one of the most developed industrialized economies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Market Entry in Eastern Europe: Do Your Research<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"gb-block-image gb-block-image-55a694b6\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1456\" height=\"816\" class=\"gb-image gb-image-55a694b6\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3.jpg\" alt=\"SIS Internationaal Marktonderzoek &amp; Strategie\" title=\"Eastern Europe market research (3)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3.jpg 1456w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3-300x168.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3-1024x574.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3-768x430.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Eastern-Europe-market-research-3-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1456px) 100vw, 1456px\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">Though diligent secondary research and analysis can teach you a lot about a new market, many questions can best be answered by conducting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/oplossingen\/focusgroepen\/doe-mee-met-focusgroepen\/\">primary market research<\/a> studies directly with potential customers.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">A market research firm that knows and understands international markets, their languages, customs, policies and even attitudes toward research can help to:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span class=\"s1\">scope the market \u2013 objectively and often with more resources than your own staff <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">identify competition, how they go to market, their messages and prices<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">conduct focus groups or personal interviews<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">create and execute online or telephone surveys<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p5\"><span class=\"s1\">Results from such research can aid your decision-making by<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span class=\"s1\">determining how much of a need exists for your product <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s5\">testing <\/span><span class=\"s1\">your communications and any regional\/local meanings <\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">estimating the extent to which your products would be purchased<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span class=\"s1\">identifying any problems early enough to take action before full rollout<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"p1\"><span class=\"s1\">In addition, such a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/how-market-research-enables-growth-ruth-stanat-phekf\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">firm<\/a> can offer advice and guidance based on similar projects for other clients who had common expansion goals and needs.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Volgende stappen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Make sure you have clearly stated your objectives \u2013 i.e. prioritize countries you wish to enter, and what market penetration, sales, or other goals you have.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Identify your ideal customers \u2013 e.g. where are they, what are their demographics, and how many of them exist?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How will you meet your goals? &#8212; i.e. what exactly will you do, and how will you do it?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get some objective help to guide you and reduce risk &#8212; e.g. identify and hire a local partner, a consulting firm, a bank, or a market research company that has an intimate understanding or unique knowledge about the market.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Onze vestigingslocatie in New York<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>\n\n\n\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3022.976188376966!2d-73.99130312499956!3d40.740549471389315!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c259a15798c731%3A0xd695d09bdd495f25!2s11%20E%2022nd%20St%20FL%202%2C%20New%20York%2C%20NY%2010010%2C%20USA!5e0!3m2!1sen!2spe!4v1726171763526!5m2!1sen!2spe\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"><\/iframe>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11 E 22nd Street, 2e verdieping, New York, NY 10010 T: +1(212) 505-6805<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Over SIS Internationaal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SIS Internationaal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> biedt kwantitatief, kwalitatief en strategisch onderzoek. Wij bieden data, tools, strategie\u00ebn, rapporten en inzichten voor besluitvorming. Wij voeren ook interviews, enqu\u00eates, focusgroepen en andere marktonderzoeksmethoden en -benaderingen uit.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/over-sis-internationaal-onderzoek\/contact-sis-international-market-research\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Neem contact met ons op<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> voor uw volgende marktonderzoeksproject.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&nbsp;<\/h2>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Entering the Central Europe market starts with a plan, objectives and criteria. Common background information should include the following&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":66164,"parent":14510,"menu_order":20,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19564","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19564","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19564"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19564\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67819,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19564\/revisions\/67819"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14510"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66164"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sisinternational.com\/nl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19564"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}