According to the association, which conducted the survey for the third time, 2012 was the first year when the first five places went to brands owned by foreign companies.

The highest ranked Slovenian-owned brand was retailer Mercator at no. 6.

Although based in Ajdovščina, fruit drinks maker Fructal counts as a foreign brand after the company was sold to Serbian drinks and jam maker Nectar at the end of 2011.

In 2011, the TOP50 list was topped by Slovenian soft drinks maker Radenska, followed by Fructal and the tea brand 1001 cvet.

Most numerous on the si.Brand TOP50 2012 list are food brands, followed by drinks makers, consumer electronics brands, cosmetics and sports gear companies.

The survey was conducted between 25 February and 10 December 2012 on 1,084 respondents between the ages of 15 and 65 years.

Top 50 brands are entitled to a one-year use of the si.Brand logo.