While majority of people in Serbia is affected by the current economic crisis, shops selling luxurious goods are making profit. Cars, jewelry, fashionable clothes and extremely expensive traveling tours are being sold very well. In 2011 the number of sold ‘Mercedes’ cars was 516 units (the most expensive one S500 costs EUR 150,000). The ‘Samsung; 3D television sets were also sold out quickly, while a man from Belgrade paid EUR 68,000 to book for his family a small Greek island for nine days.
The buyers are from different walks of life – doctors, lawyers, Internet experts and people from diplomatic service. However, businessmen are usually buyers of the most expensive goods. Then follow athletes and politicians. The last ones are always so generous when their wives or girlfriends are concerned.
The ‘Frey Wille’ shop is very satisfied with the sale of jewelry, including the most expensive pieces.
Sociologists think that the situation in the market reflects the real image of Serbian society for years back. The society has been polarizing on the very rich and the very poor with almost no middle class.
Sociologists claim that fight for prestige is not characteristic for Serbia only but that it is an integral part of the consumer culture present worldwide. The modern consumer society has classified money as the chief value.

Source: Blic,05. 03. 2012.