Eastern Europe

The lifting of travel restrictions post-COVID-19 has had a positive impact on luggage, backpacks, business bags and handbags with these subcategories, particularly luggage, registering growth in both current retail value terms, albeit at a slower…

The affordability of lab-grown diamonds is a significant factor in their growing popularity in Poland. With prices up to 85% lower than natural diamonds of identical carat weight and grade, lab-grown diamonds present a cost-effective alternative for…

In 2023, inflation had a significant impact on personal accessories in Poland. The cost of living and average unit prices of essential items increased, leading Polish consumers to gravitate towards more affordable and durable products, especially in…

For traditional and high-end watches, brick-and-mortar retailers remain the preferred distribution channel in Poland, with jewellery and watch specialists accounting for the large majority of sales in 2023. The tactile experience of seeing and…

There was modest volume growth in 2022, partly due to an influx of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion and partly as a result of a post-pandemic return to regular school and work patterns. However writing instruments saw a decline in…

The Czech Republic has a high acceptance of cannabis due to the long-standing tradition of cannabis cultivation and usage in the country. Cannabis legislation has been an issue since the 1990s, when there was an early attempt at legalisation. As it…

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…

Kosovo has suffered from significant political instability, whilst corruption is pervasive. Nevertheless, European Union (EU) accession is on the cards and the economy is expected to outperform peers in the near term. The consumer market remains…

Industry stakeholders are increasingly debating between sustainability and technology leadership strategies in the appliances market. As margins continue to shrink, leadership in either category is critical to maintain continued competitiveness. In…

Although Moldova is ‘moderately free’ for economic freedom, Russia’s influence operations may spur instability. Economic growth to rebound over the near term, outperforming regional average. The population is shrinking and ageing rapidly, which…

In Mozambique, ongoing conflict and corruption exacerbate economic challenges. The economy is hindered by high unemployment and reliance on agriculture. The young and growing population remains impoverished, facing healthcare and educational hurdles,…

Improving state finances and effective control of corruption are adding to Latvia’s economic freedom, but relations with neighbours continue to be tense. Economic momentum is moderating, owing to high inflation that is hitting consumption, but the…

Increasing authoritarianism and corruption are resulting in mass protests, although fiscal discipline is leading to better state finances. Economic momentum is slowing, owing to high inflation and reduced external demand, but foreign investment…

Although Slovenia has been beset by political instability and corruption remains an issue, its economic freedom is one of the best in Eastern Europe. However, the economy is slowing, as inflation is elevated, whilst its highly open nature exposes its…

In 2022, packaging in Poland was becoming increasingly influenced again by pre-pandemic lifestyles and practices. For example, sugar confectionery experienced a significant shift towards smaller packaging options. The more compact sizes helped to…

In 2022, Romania’s packaging industry witnessed dynamic shifts influenced by economic challenges and consumer preferences. Larger pack sizes became the preferred choice across a variety of categories, offering consumers economic advantages amid…

After peaking in 2024, Slovakia’s population is set to decline up to 2040, driven by natural decrease. Ageing will remain a key demographic theme as longevity climbs and birth rates drop overall, impacting consumer trends and putting more pressure on…

Poland has become a strategic powerhouse for FMCG industries in Eastern Europe in the past two decades, and especially during the current geopolitical climate. The cannabis market is still in its infancy in Poland; however, a range of factors sets a…

In 2023, cafés/bars continue to recover from the significant declines recorded in the channel at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, recording strong double-digit value growth in the year. Growth can be attributed to the growing interest…

At the start of 2023, operators of cafés/bars were in an upbeat mood as 2022 had delivered relatively good results despite soaring energy prices and costs. The prolonged high levels of inflation and diminishing consumer purchasing power proved…