Eastern Europe

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…

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…

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…

In 2023, Romania's government increased the minimum wage in response to persistent inflationary pressures. Over 2022-2027, disposable income growth is expected to surpass Eastern European and EU averages, driven by sustained economic development.…

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…

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…

Retail current value sales of fine wines/champagne and spirits grew by 15% in 2023 to total RON505 million. This was the result of the consumer desire to indulge themselves after the pandemic. Socialising over a drink with friends remains a priority…

Retail current value sales of luxury goods in Romania rose by 12% in 2023 to stand at RON9.8 billion. There was a clear focus on recovery in the post-Coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown period, with luxury shoppers keen to indulge in activities that may…

Personal luxury retail value sales increased by 21% in 2023 to amount to RON4.6 billion. Growth was supported by leading brand owners, such as LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA, L’Oréal Romania SRL and Cie Financière Richemont SA. Growth in 2023…

Retail current value sales of premium and luxury cars rose by 3% in 2023 to reach RON4.3 billion, aided by augmented demand from affluent buyers despite macroeconomic challenges. Wealth determines the degree of demand that exists for premium and…

The number of households in Romania is predicted to decline slightly between 2022 and 2027, due primarily to a decrease in the overall population. However, the number of single person households is projected to increase over this period, driven by…

In 2022, income levels in Bulgaria ranked among the lowest in the Eastern Europe region, despite a notable increase in the minimum wage in both 2022 and 2023. The forecast for income growth in Bulgaria is sluggish, primarily due to ongoing economic…

The number of households is set to increase slightly in Hungary over 2022-2027, with single person remaining the dominant household type. In 2022, household spending was affected by inflation, which stood at 14.6%, elevating living costs. Household…

The global agriculture industry recorded moderate positive growth in 2022, mainly driven by high commodity prices and global food inflation. Climate change, natural disasters, rising labour shortages, geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism and…

In 2022, construction grappled with rising interest rates and living costs, affecting residential, industrial and commercial sectors. Government commitments to infrastructure drove demand. Despite cost surges, solid demand allowed passing expenses to…

A low corporate tax rate and better finances are leading to enhanced economic freedom in Croatia, although corruption continues to be an issue and politics is moving to the right. Adoption of the euro could boost investment and tourism, but the…

Although Estonia enjoys substantial economic freedom and tackles corruption effectively, state finances are deteriorating but remain sustainable. The economy is experiencing recession and stagflation, whilst its highly open nature creates risks for…

In 2022, dried baby food was only offered in three pack types: flexible aluminium/plastic, flexible plastic and folding cartons. However, flexible aluminium/plastic was the dominant packaging format in this category, as it is easy to open, reseal and…

Flexible plastic remained the dominant pack type in confectionery packaging in 2022. Flexible plastic continues to be chosen by manufacturers since it provides an excellent barrier against external contamination, such as dust, moisture or sunlight,…

After dairy packaging unit volumes grew at their fastest rate in almost a decade in 2020, with COVID-19 the main driver of this, with slightly above-average growth also being seen in 2021, sales continued to increase in 2022. Cheese, one of the main…