Western Europe

Homewares in France experienced a slowdown in current value growth amid weaker consumer demand, primarily due to the previous stockpiling of such goods during the pandemic years. This accumulation of inventory limited the sales potential in 2023, at…

In 2023, the surge in growth of other home improvement products in France, such as ladders, step stools, workbenches, toolboxes, and tool belts, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the high costs of professional services, exacerbated by…

In 2023, the home furnishings category in France experienced declining value sales as consumers reigned in expenditure in the face of high inflation and a sluggish housing market. Indoor furniture, such as window coverings, was particularly impacted…

In 2023, home and garden in France registered a decline in current value sales, largely attributed to macroeconomic factors dampening consumer confidence and reducing expenditure on such items. The prevailing high level of inflation in France,…

In 2023, indoor plants experienced a surge in popularity in France, driven by the urban residents' growing desire to connect with nature within their homes. The trend towards indoor gardening is fuelled by the perceived health benefits plants offer,…

2023 presented various challenges for the global retail landscape in the UK. The lingering effects of the pandemic, combined with economic and geopolitical instabilities, created a climate of uncertainty for local consumers, resulting by an undynamic…

In 2023, the UK housing market was faced with a combination of economic pressures and a desire for personalisation. Homeowners increasingly opted to upgrade their current homes rather than embark on the often-costly endeavour of relocation. A growing…

For decades, barbecues have been a cornerstone of summertime in the UK, offering a convivial and flavourful way to enjoy meals outdoors. However, recent years have witnessed a significant surge in their popularity, driven by several factors. Firstly,…

Home and garden in the UK experienced a marginal increase in current value sales in 2023 following a decline in 2022, which was due to a confluence of economic headwinds that significantly impacted consumer spending. The increasing inflation rate,…

Despite continuing headwinds, including erratic weather patterns and economic fluctuations, value sales of gardening in the UK recorded a substantial increase in 2023 following a decline the previous year, prompted by consumers prioritising home…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

When compared to the pre-pandemic period, the demand for homewares in Italy declined during the COVID-19 crisis. This could be attributed to two main reasons. Firstly, as people were conscious about cleanliness during the pandemic, they chose to use…

Italy was hit hard by the pandemic, and the country experienced one of the longest and strictest lockdowns in Europe. This meant that many people spent extended periods of time at home, which created a strong desire to improve and personalise living…

In contrast to gardening, home furnishings saw decline in demand during the COVID-19 crisis, with an upturn in its performance as pandemic related restrictions were withdrawn. The category continued to grow in 2022, however sales remained below the…

In 2022, Italy's home and garden market saw demand undermined by the high rate of inflation, which was around 8.2%. With consumer confidence dropping from the previous year, consumers were more cautious with their spending and many opted to purchase…

Despite seeing decline in 2022, the gardening category continued to register a significantly higher level of value sales than before the onset of the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic brought a marked rise in demand for gardening products as consumers…

Homewares’ sales witnessed a decline in the Swiss home and garden industry in 2022. This was due to a rise in popularity of minimalistic interior design trends. As more people prefer a simple and clutter-free living space, there was less demand for…

The home improvement category witnessed an increase in demand in 2022 in the Swiss home and garden market compared to pre-pandemic levels. With people spending more time at home due to the pandemic, there was renewed interest in home improvement…