Bulgaria ranks 49th among 61 countries in terms of international retail presence, a survey conducted by CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) shows. A mere 14.8% of the 250 global brands surveyed present in the country, according to the same survey.

Romania is placed higher in the ranking occupying the 39th spot with 21% of the global brands represented in the country.

Russia occupies the prestigious number ten spot in the ranking with the highest percentage of international retailers present among the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Poland ranks second among the CEE countries with 39% of international retailers present in the country. The Czech Republic and Hungary follow with 33% and 27% presence of the leading international retailers, respectively. Slovakia and Ukraine have each attracted 19% of international retailers.

The United Kingdom is home to the highest percentage of the world’s top international retailers, with 55% of 250 brands surveyed present. At 51%, Spain had the second-highest percentage of international retailers present, while France (49%), Germany (47%) and Italy (45%) rounded out the top five. China occupies the number nine spot with 40% of the international reailers present in the country.

The USA came in at number 11, with 39% of international retailers present in that country. According to the survey, the strength of the domestic retailers in the U.S. make it a market that only the strongest foreign retailers are able to break into.

As a result the interest of the major retailers shifts to the emerging markets where the bulk of their investments are focused.

Of the 52 North American retailers surveyed, 41 are currently present in Canada, while 39 are present in the UK.

Vietnam, Peru and Pakistan occupy the bottom end of the ranking.