Eastern Europe

Tourist visitor levels in Romania recovered in 2023, despite global macroeconomic pressures like high inflation and the rapid escalation of living costs. International tourism increased by 40% January-July compared with the corresponding period in…

Prague and Brno are the Czech Republic’s most economically vibrant cities. Moreover, Brno holds the highest potential for future economic growth. However, challenges will persist for the country’s cities – in the near term, global economic…

Sofia and Stara Zagora are Bulgaria’s most economically vibrant cities, having the highest GDP per capita among the country’s cities. Meanwhile, Burgas holds the highest potential for future economic growth. However, challenges for the country’s…

Budapest and Gyor stand as Hungary’s economic powerhouses, with Budapest showing the greatest promise for future economic expansion. However, the country’s cities will continue to face persistent challenges. In the short term, these challenges…

Value sales of premium and luxury cars grew by 8% to total PLN25 billion in 2023 due to rising demand from higher-income consumers, with expenditure proving resilient despite wider macroeconomic headwinds. Premium and luxury cars offer exceptional…

Although economic freedom has worsened and political instability persists, state finances have improved and taxation is low. North Macedonia’s economy has struggled under the weight of elevated inflation, but this is falling and foreign investment…

Personal luxury retail value sales increased by 18% in 2023 to amount to PLN6.6 billion, supporting growth recorded by leading brand providers, such as L’Oréal Polska Sp zoo, Kering SA and Chanel SA. Sales fell by 19% in 2020 due to the pandemic, but…

Although Ecuador is applying greater fiscal discipline, economic freedom remains constrained by state influence and a weak rule of law. Economic growth is set to slow further and reliance on commodity exports is very high, but inflation is relatively…

Value sales of fine wines/champagne and spirits grew by 20% to total PLN1.7 billion in 2023, boosted by consumers’ desire to enjoy themselves after the pandemic. Enjoying a drink with friends remains a priority leisure activity, following on from the…

Tourist visitor levels in Poland recovered in 2023, despite global macroeconomic pressures such as high inflation and the rapid escalation of living costs. This was an improvement on previous years when the pandemic prevented people from travelling.…

Upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine, retail sales of wound care in Slovenia experienced growth, with the general population in Slovenia purchasing essential wound care items to offer as donations to those affected in Ukraine. The Ministry of Health…

Rates of obesity are increasing in Slovenia, with lifestyles changing rapidly, with labour-intensive jobs switching to office jobs, which require little movement. At the same time, COVID-19 contributed to social distancing, which made people less…

The pandemic resulted in shifts in vitamin consumption and purchasing in Slovenia. Consumers are emphasising preventive health measures more, and individuals who previously did not purchase them are using vitamins and supplements. The COVID-19…

Sports Nutrition is thriving in Slovenia, as the fitness culture is gaining significant traction. Despite constrained budgets and lower income levels compared to the EU average, gyms and sports are increasingly becoming an essential aspect of life,…

Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca stand as Romania’s most economically vibrant cities, while Timisoara is the city with the greatest promise for future economic expansion. Nevertheless, Romanian urban centres will continue to grapple with persistent…

Although Lithuania enjoys economic freedom and solid state finances, relations with neighbours have worsened and add to uncertainty. The economy has been hindered by the highest inflation rate in the eurozone and output growth could enter negative…

Whilst Georgia’s government finances have improved and a low tax burden benefits businesses, governance is becoming more authoritarian and moving away from democratic ideals. Economic development was extremely robust in 2022, thanks to tourism,…

The preference for herbal/traditional products has grown over the review period, driven by the demand for natural and 'clean' ingredients. This trend is evident in Slovenia across consumer healthcare, including paediatric consumer health, where…

Driven by a stronger consumer emphasis on health and wellbeing, current value sales of herbal/traditional products are experiencing moderate growth in 2023. In Slovenia, there is an emerging preference for herbal/traditional products over standard…

Constipation remains a prevalent issue among Slovenian consumers, leading them to increasingly find natural methods of alleviating symptoms. These methods include adopting healthier and more balanced eating habits, engaging in regular physical…

The COVID-19 pandemic, conflict in Ukraine, and escalating living expenses have intensified mental health worries among Slovenian consumers. Consequently, many are searching for dietary supplements and vitamins that enhance their mood and alleviate…

Increasing consumer demand for medicated skin care products drives sales growth in dermatologicals in 2023. The aspiration for well-maintained and healthy skin is expanding from beauty and personal care to include dermatological products, as these…

During the past few years, Slovenia has experienced a virtually non-existent flu season due to the outbreak of COVID-19. This led to individuals opting to stay at home and, when going out in public, adhering to practices like wearing face masks,…

Due to the war in Ukraine, increasing energy and production costs, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19, prices have inflated significantly in Slovenia. This has been the primary reason for high current retail value growth in 2023. Levels of retail…

Analgesics in Slovenia are projected to experience significant growth in current retail value throughout 2023. Both adult and paediatric analgesics are performing well. During the latter part of the review period, the sector benefited from the…

Consumption of wound care is being stimulated by Serbians’ return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. As consumers spend more time outside their homes, the incidence of the kind of minor injury that requires wound care is rising. In addition, the health and…

As occurred in 2022, wound care is set to post moderate growth in current value sales in 2023 but contract in volume terms. These results are explained by persistently high inflation in Hungary, which has continued to erode spending power among…

The return to outdoor activities in Bulgaria following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the end of home seclusion have had a positive impact on sales of wound care products. As people re-engage in various outdoor pursuits such as sports,…

Disposable income decline and growing prices are leading to a drop in retail volume sales of weight management and wellbeing in 2023. Economising consumers are visiting pharmacies to purchase necessary products, but, as consumers have become more…

Although weight management and wellbeing is set to register another solid performance in terms of total current value sales growth in 2023, this is largely due to steep price hikes resulting from persistently high inflation in Hungary. With the…

Social media has become a powerful influence in the market for weight management and wellbeing products in Bulgaria. These platforms, which include Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and especially TikTok, provide consumers with access to videos promoting…

The vitamins category saw a significant decrease in volume sales of both single vitamins and multivitamins in 2022, which is set to continue in 2023. According to trade interviews, in the first quarter of 2023 volumes declined by 30% compared with…

Vitamins is set to record negative results in volume and current value terms for the second year in a row in 2023. While overall consumption of these products in Hungary surged during the early stages of the pandemic due to increased…

Consumers in Bulgaria are becoming more health conscious, seeking ways to boost their immune systems, improve their energy levels, and maintain general wellbeing. Already prominent prior to the pandemic, the health and wellness trend received a…

The sports nutrition category is expected to see continued dynamic growth in 2023. As Serbians have returned to pre-pandemic lifestyles, they have spent more time outdoors and in gyms. Moreover, the experience of the COVID-19 crisis boosted consumer…

Sports nutrition has remained one of the best performing areas of Hungary’s consumer health market in 2023, with strong double-digit growth in total current value sales projected and all categories poised to register impressive results in volume…

The sports nutrition category has seen international brands, such as Post Holdings Inc, Optimum Nutrition Inc, and Pure Nutrition Technology, establish strong positions in the Bulgarian market. International brands typically offer a wide range of…

While sleep aids is poised to record strong growth in current value sales in 2023, this is mainly due to price hikes amidst high inflation fuelled by the global recovery from COVID-19 and the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With inflationary…

The demands of busy and stressful lifestyles in Bulgaria have given rise to a significant increase in the demand for sleep aids. As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced and work-related pressures intensify, many individuals find themselves…

The increase in current value sales expected in paediatric consumer health in 2023 is mainly being driven by rising prices. Meanwhile, volume sales are being negatively impacted by consumers becoming more selective about what they buy. Waning…

Most paediatric consumer health categories are expected to contract in volume terms in 2023. This is partly due to persistently high inflation in Hungary, with steep price hikes and falling purchasing power making people more inclined to only…

Parental preference for child-specific consumer health products is a progressively growing trend in Bulgaria, reflecting a strong desire for products tailored to the unique needs and sensitivities of children, in contrast to the more traditional…

In keeping with the trend witnessed throughout the review period, total volume sales of NRT smoking cessation aids have continued to contract in 2023, with all categories set to post negative results in this respect. This is partly explained by the…

The pervasive smoking habits in Bulgaria exert a considerable negative effect on the sales of NRT smoking cessation aids. Bulgaria has one of the highest smoking rates in the European Union, with a significant portion of the population addicted to…

In 2023, Serbians remain positively disposed towards herbal/traditional products. When it comes to natural medicines and herbal preparations, only 26% of Europeans overall use them in defence against viral infections, but Serbians are significantly…

Although overall current value growth for herbal/traditional products in 2023 is set to equal that recorded in 2022, this is mainly due to price hikes amidst soaring inflation in Hungary. With the resultant drop in purchasing power making people much…

In Bulgaria, younger consumers are increasingly turning to herbal/traditional products as a natural and holistic alternative to conventional medications. These consumers are at the forefront of the shift towards a more preventive and holistic…

With high inflation continuing to drive up unit prices and weaken purchasing power among Hungarians, eye care is set to see total volume sales contract for a second consecutive year in 2023. However, the rate of decline should be slower than that…

The maturity of the market in Bulgaria implies that most potential customers are already using or have easy access to eye care products, reaching a saturation point in terms of penetration. This situation can lead to intensified competition among…

According to research, 36% of Serbian citizens admit that they do not care enough about their diets, and this causes digestive problems, with 43% complaining of indigestion, heartburn, and other digestive problems. Indigestion and heartburn are the…