The Analysis of the Efficiency of Trade Costs Management in Serbia

In conditions of prolonged economic crisis, trade profitability can be only to a certain extent improved by an increase in selling prices. Opportunities are by far better with cost reduction. For this purpose, it is necessary to manage costs more efficiently, primarily to have adequate system of their control. Based on original empirical data this paper analyzes efficiency of total costs - the cost of goods sold and operating expenses (i.e. determinants of their size and structure are envisaged) of trade in Serbia. In this context we analyze the size of margin of trade in Serbia, with a special focus on the trade of other countries, especially the developed market economies. The conclusion is that they are high (except labor costs) in relation to the cost of trade of other countries. Due to this, their decline (in particular, the cost of goods sold) can significantly increase the profitability of the trade in Serbia in the future. Among other things, there is an important role of increased use of the concept of the so-called "green economy" (which may contribute to the reduction of operating costs up to 30%).