Eastern Europe

To help companies understand which categories are most primed for sustained e-commerce growth post-pandemic, Euromonitor developed the E-Commerce Readiness Model. This tool uses analytic modelling to determine which countries and categories have the…

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the most severe global recession since World War II. In Q4 2020, the end of the pandemic started as countries began administering effective vaccines among the population; however, vaccine distribution…

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in business models and consumer behaviour, as well as altering the ways and the geography many of us live, work, study and play. Understanding what changes will stick after the pandemic…

As consumers prepare fewer meals overall, while demanding more assistance for the ones they do, spending and brand equity will accrue to those companies providing fresh prepared meals on demand, from delivery aggregators to retailers, restaurant…

Eastern Europe is still leading in spirits per capita consumption globally. Despite vodka continuing to dominate spirits, consumer taste preferences shift towards flavour sophistication. This drives other spirits, whiskies and brandy. Mid- and…

This report considers what socialising will look like in a post-COVID-19 era, focusing on several key questions. A return to the “Roaring Twenties” in the beverages space or a continuing decimation of the on-trade? How has socialising changed (eg…

On-trade sales of beer collapsed in 2020 as Coronavirus (COVID-19) led to the closure of bars, pubs and restaurants. While off-trade sales continued increasing, picking up some of the lost on-trade sales, the size of the on-trade decline as well as…

As the end of 2021 approaches, almost two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the emergence and rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant has increased uncertainty and weakened the momentum of the global recovery. This series of quarterly reports…

Slower growth, surging inflation, rising geopolitical risks and an accelerating deglobalisation trend are factors shaping the global economic, financial and trade landscape in 2022 and beyond. Despite the challenges, there are opportunities for…

The briefing introduces the Cities Households Necessities Spending Index. The index ranks 1,075 cities by household expenditure on non-discretionary items, namely food, housing, and clothing and footwear. This analysis focuses on 160 major cities.…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…

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…

Inflation and rising prices of most products, coupled with an increasing cost of living in 2023, negatively impacted consumer confidence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, a negative demographic trend affecting the country contributed to the…

Alcoholic drinks in Bulgaria was heavily influenced by price increases in 2023, due to the prevalence of high inflation. The second half of the year saw inflation start to fall, but this had little impact on retail prices, which continued to rise in…

A combination of forces shaped the market for alcoholic drinks in Hungary in 2023. People were happy to break free from any COVID-19 related restrictions and live their social lives as they used to be. This was paralleled by the large pent-up demand…

Sales of alcoholic drinks declined both in off-trade and on-trade volume terms in Poland in 2023. At the same time, alcoholic drinks saw strong growth in total current value terms. This was the result of a significant increase in the prices of…

Adults in the Czech Republic consumed lower quantities of alcoholic drinks in 2023 due to the difficult economic climate and the growing preference for beverages with lower alcohol content. High inflation and the rising cost of living hindered…

One significant trend observed in beer in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023 was the challenge posed by market saturation and escalating prices. As consumer preferences continued to evolve, the product area faced a decline in overall demand, particularly…

In 2023, beer consumption in Bulgaria decreased resulting in a decline in off-trade volume sales. Bulgarians spent more time out of the home and increased their level of domestic and foreign travel, thus lowering at-home beer consumption. The…

Beer saw volume sales fall significantly in Hungary in 2023. Brewers held high expectations of restoring volume sales back to pre-pandemic levels during the year. However, these efforts fell short, and the beer market experienced a decline at the…

Sales of beer declined in 2023 in on- and off-trade volume terms as high inflation and rising living costs restricted consumer purchasing power. With money being tight many consumers were forced to focus on basic necessities and therefore they were…

Beer in the Czech Republic came under further pressure in 2023, with on-trade volumes declining. Stubbornly high inflation continued to impact Czech consumers with the cost-of-living creating a tougher economic environment in 2023. The on trade has…

Consumer demand for cider/perry in Bosnia and Herzegovina tends to be highly volatile, given that this category is small within alcoholic drinks. In 2023, even minor changes and shifts had significant impacts on the category's performance. Following…

In 2023, the cider/perry category in Bulgaria witnessed strong growth in retail volume terms, thereby exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The development of this category is a result of the global trend towards low-alcohol and long drinks, especially…

Cider/perry saw a rise in total volume sales in Hungary in 2023. Cider, a relatively new category in the Hungarian alcoholic drinks market, remains a small segment compared to beer, but is growing, in contrast to alcoholic flavoured/mixed lagers,…

Cider/perry is a declining category, with a lack of interest or investment that could help stimulate sales. Due to falling demand, retail chains are reducing the shelf space provided for cider/perry, especially discounters, some of which have even…

Price increases of cider/perry and the weak economic situation in the Czech Republic resulted in declining volume sales, whilst rising unit prices underpinned current value sales. The withdrawal of three key brands in 2022 continued to negatively…

Convenience continued to drive consumer demand for RTDs in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2023, resulting in solid total volume growth. This growth, combined with rising RTD prices due to inflation, culminated in achieving strong double-digit percentage…

RTDs in Bulgaria witnessed another strong year of recovery in 2023, although this category is still growing from a small base. The re-activation of social lifestyles, people gatherings, festivals and other social occasions underpinned demand. Volume…

RTDs saw a rise in total volume sales in Hungary in 2023. The category was more exposed than most as rapidly rising inflation led Hungarians to exercise greater caution in their spending decisions, as these products are comparatively expensive, and…

Spirit-based RTDs was the most dynamic category within RTDs in Poland in 2023. Looking to capitalise on the growing demand for these products players continued to develop and launch new lines of RTDs in 2023. For example, in 2023 Jack Daniel's & Cola…

RTDs have benefited from the reduction in visits to on-trade establishments, as they appeal to consumers who still want the experience of mixed drinks but at a more affordable price. Indeed, RTDs have been a cost-effective solution during the tough…

Consumer demand for spirits witnessed a significant slowdown in 2023, marked by minimal total volume growth across the category. This trend was characterised by mixed performances among the three largest spirits categories. While whisky categories…

In 2023, the consumption of spirits in Bulgaria increased with volume sales rising well in on-trade venues but declining marginally in retailers. Current value growth was fuelled by price rises after a long period of stability. Nevertheless, the…

Total volume sales of spirits increased slightly in Hungary in 2023. A small yet affluent customer segment, characterised by a higher level of knowledge about spirits and a discerning taste for quality, continued to drive the market for premium…

The average unit price of spirits in Poland rose sharply in 2023 due to high inflation, an increase in production costs, and a further increase in the excise tax rate by 5%. Although these price rises translated into strong growth in current value…

The challenging economic situation in the Czech Republic led to weaker demand for spirits in both the off-trade and on-trade in 2023. Czech households came under more intense financial pressure due to prevailing high inflation, with the price of…

In 2023, wine in Bosnia and Herzegovina experienced a notable slowdown in consumer demand, although it remained comparatively stronger when compared to beer consumption trends. This shift in consumer preferences hinted at a gradual transition towards…

Wine in Bulgaria continued to enjoy buoyant retail volume growth, underpinned by the recovery of on-trade sales following the pandemic. However, wine consumption through the on-trade still remained below 2019 levels as inflationary conditions and…

Total volume sales of wine fell slightly in Hungary in 2023. However, during the year, sparkling wine volume sales continued to grow, finally exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Sparkling wine consumption, traditionally reserved for celebrations and…

Wine saw strong growth in current value terms in 2023 but this was the result of price hikes rather than an increase in demand with sales declining in total volume terms as financial pressures led to consumers adopting a more cautious approach to…

Wine in the Czech Republic faced declining volume sales in 2023 as economic conditions worsened. The high cost-of-living drove consumers to cut back on purchases within the wine category. Current value growth was buoyed by increased prices due to…

In 2023, the impact of immigrants from Russia on alcoholic drink sales in Georgia was negligible, resulting in a more subdued sales growth compared to the previous year. Despite this, moderate inflation and a stable exchange rate contributed to the…

In 2023, the volume sales of beer in Georgia continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace compared to previous years. This growth, although more stable, was underpinned by both an increase in domestic production and a rise in imports. The Horeca…

In 2023, the influx of immigrants from Russia did not significantly impact vodka sales in Georgia, resulting in a subdued growth compared to the previous year. Consumption of spirits remained relatively constant, with distinct preferences observed…

Throughout 2023, wine in Georgia witnessed a gradual recovery following the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Production of Georgian wine experienced growth, reaffirming its status as the most consumed alcoholic beverage in the country. However, a…

Despite strong growth in unit prices, alcoholic drinks marked positive volume growth in 2023. It is clear that Croatians are tired of social distancing and need to vent out. With COVID-19 measures all but gone, the number of events spanning across…

In 2023, sales of alcoholic drinks in Estonia experienced a pause following the hectic pandemic and post-pandemic periods. The local economy's underperformance added pressure on consumption. However, cross-border trade with Finland and Latvia…