Eastern Europe

In 2022, though there was double-digit growth in current value sales, growth in constant value sales

In light of inflationary pressures, consumers have become increasingly discerning and cost-conscious in 2022. Grocery retailers have navigated this more complex climate by implementing various measures to address changing preferences, such as…

While grocery retailers in Estonia showed a markedly improved performance in terms of overall current value sales growth in 2022, this was mainly due to soaring inflation fuelled by the global recovery from the pandemic and the fallout of Russia’s…

The war in Ukraine has impacted grocery retailing in Georgia with inflation contributing to price increases across the category. Georgia’s growing consumer base in 2022 has added further impetus to retail value growth. Georgia has been a popular…

Grocery retailers saw strong current value growth in 2022. As the situation stabilised with the reduced threat of Coronavirus (COVID-19), smaller formats like food/drink/tobacco specialists, small local grocers and convenience stores also started to…

The war in Ukraine has had a profound impact on grocery retailers in Lithuania during 2022. As a result of the conflict, grocery prices have increased significantly, and the consumer base has grown due to refugees from Ukraine. This has led to an…

In 2022, though there was healthy growth in current value sales, constant value sales fell. The war in Ukraine had a negative impact, with the resultant energy crisis leading to soaring inflation and dampening volume sales. In addition, there was…

New store openings within the modern grocery retailers channel helped fuel growth in current value terms in 2022, albeit the number small local grocers and food/drink/tobacco specialists declined. For example, Delhaize Serbia, the second largest…

Forecourt retailers is maintaining solid growth, after recovering from its declines during the era of pandemic restrictions. Within this environment, in March 2023, it was revealed that MOL Group has sold 39 service stations to Shell in Slovenia, as…

Gum in Bosnia faces a challenging reality in 2024. Consumer demand continues to dwindle due to a shrinking population base. This demographic decline translates to a moderate decrease in retail volume. Even with rising unit prices caused by inflation,…

Gum continues to see steady growth in retail volume terms in 2024, although growth has been stronger in current value terms which is due to price inflation. Gum is entirely an imported product and thus it has been impacted by higher transportation…

The persistent inflation and rising production costs in 2024 are significantly impacting gum sales in Croatia. As prices remain elevated, consumer spending on non-essential items like gum has seen a slight decrease. However, brand loyalty remains a…

Chewing gum is seeing positive value and volume growth in Estonia in 2024 as it is promoted as being beneficial to dental health, particularly sugar-free versions. Orbit, for instance, has an image of a tooth on its packaging, suggesting the benefits…

Gum witnessed significant volume growth in 2024 as part of its ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the rebound in sales of Wrigley’s Orbit brand. In 2022, Wrigley Jr Co, William (Mars Inc) faced supply issues resulting in sales decline…

The market for gum in Hungary will see an improved performance in 2024, with best growth in retail volume terms. Sales of chewing gum remain largely impulse-driven and with an increase in mobility, consumers have more opportunities to purchase these…

Gum in Latvia experiences value growth in 2024, though this increase is tempered by ongoing inflationary pressures. While price hikes are less severe compared to recent years, they still constrain significant growth in overall value. Consumers remain…

Retail volume sales of gum are set to remain fairly static in 2024. Sales are dominated by chewing gum, which is promoted as a significant contributor to daily fresh breath maintenance. However, there is a widespread perception in Lithuania that gum…

Consumer demand for gum is stagnating as fewer consumers buy bubble gum or chewing gum in North Macedonia. Gum increasingly has a bad name, due to its high sugar content and bad environmental reputation in terms of disposability, and this is a…

After registering a slight decline in sales volume due to the rapid inflation of 2023, gum in Poland in 2024 was characterised by growth in both volume and current value sales. This optimistic trend is primarily attributed to the anticipated…

Gum is achieving positive volume and robust value sales in Romania in 2024. This is primarily attributed to consumers’ post-pandemic return to busy, out-of-home lifestyles, therefore reviving the role of gum as a breath freshener. Added to which, the…

Gum is set to see significant current value growth in Serbia in 2024. Volume sales of gum are being stimulated by busy lifestyles and the related shift towards on-the-go consumption and snacking. Bubble gum, however, continues to face falling volume…

Gum is seeing positive sales in Slovakia in 2024, in both volume and value sales, and in both retail and foodservice. While value is also being supported by unit price hikes, due to the commodity prices of sweeteners, volume is being supported by…

Chewing gum is seen by many consumers as a functional product with it helping to prevent bad breath after eating, drinking or smoking. As such, with consumers leading increasingly busy lives and interacting more closely with friends and colleagues…

Customers are purchasing more chewing gum mostly to improve their breath. Chewing gum comes in a variety of options, including sugar free, as well as new product options with other claims such as added protein and energy boosting. Bubble gum is a…

Gum in the Ukraine remains led by Wrigley (GBO: Mars) and Mondelez in 2024, with these two players consistently offering deep discounts and other attractive price promotions for best-sellers Orbit (Wrigley) and Dirol (Mondelez) in supermarkets and…

Consumer demand for hair care in Bosnia and Herzegovina remained stable in 2023 despite the inflationary climate and limitations on consumer expenditure. The resumption of hectic lifestyles and greater social contact following the pandemic has…

In 2023, styling agents, conditioners and hair loss treatments recorded the strongest current value growth rates in Bulgaria’s hair care category, followed closely by standard shampoos. The emerging trend of ‘in-depth hair care’, along with so-called…

Towards the end of the review period, local consumers adopted a more personalised, customised approach to their hair care needs. This trend first emerged during the peak months of the COVID-19 pandemic, when many people took the opportunity to…

In 2023, hair care in Estonia recorded double-digit retail value sales, driven by rising inflation, while volume growth was positive in all areas of bar hair loss treatment. Conditioners showcased strong growth in 2023, while professional hair care…

Hair care in Georgia registered moderate constant value and volume growth in 2023. However, the offering remained basic, with standard shampoo being the most popular product and little demand for products such as serums or styling agents. Hair…

The hair care market experienced a significant shift towards home treatments and wellness routines towards the end of the review period. This was driven by a combination of factors including the lingering impact of COVID-19 and rising inflation,…

Following a relatively strong performance in the year prior, demand for hair care slowed in Latvia during 2023. Retail volume sales came under pressure following the price increases, although this had a positive impact on current value growth. 2023…

In 2023, hair care in Lithuania recorded double-digit retail value sales, with retail volume growth led by hair loss treatments. As global supply chains continued to face challenges in the first quarter of 2023, price increases were put in place.…

It was a muted picture for hair care in North Macedonia in 2023, with high inflation continuing to hit profit margins and a declining population also dampening volume growth. Standard shampoo continued to account for most value sales, but more niche…

Hair care in Poland maintained its growth momentum in retail volume and current value terms in 2023. This was despite the fact that after seeing declines in 2020 due to the pandemic, current value sales had already returned to the pre-pandemic level…

In 2023, hair care in Romania demonstrated robust growth, with a low increase in retail volume terms, and a strong-single digit increase in current value terms. Current value growth was recorded across all categories, whilst a more mixed performance…

In 2023, hair care in Serbia witnessed growth predominantly driven by ancillary products such as hair masks, serums, and oils. Serbians are increasingly prioritising hair health and aesthetics, embracing styling techniques to achieve desired looks.…

Despite the decrease in retail volume sales, hair care recorded positive growth in current value sales, primarily due to price increases. Lower purchasing power led consumers to limit their spending, with more consumers choosing to dye their hair at…

Hair care in Slovenia recorded another good strong year in 2023 with the return to normal grooming habits following the COVID-19 pandemic. Private label has witnessed increasing popularity thanks to its affordability at a time of high inflation and…

Hair care saw current value growth in the Czech Republic in 2023. The skinification of hair was a notable shift in focus in the hair care category, as consumers looked to repair existing damage and/or to prevent damage. The scalp is an extension of…

Hair care products are considered to be essentials in terms of Ukrainians’ personal grooming routines. A notable trend contributing to the growth being seen in 2023 was the shift among consumers towards purchasing larger packs of hair care products.…

Headphones are popular among consumers in Hungary due to high levels of innovation in this product area, with brands delivering convenience. Consumers continued to prefer TWS earbuds to wireless earphones in 2024 as innovation has ensured they offer…

Volume growth is expected to be healthy for headphones in Poland in 2024, largely driven by significant volume sales of TWS earbuds. That being said, consumers continue to be price sensitive, after several years of inflation, though inflation eases…

Volume growth is expected to be healthy for headphones in 224, largely driven by significant volume sales of TWS earbuds. That being said, consumer continue to be price sensitive, after several years of inflation, though inflation eases in 2024. As…

Headphones are set to record stronger growth in volume sales in the Czech Republic in 2024, compared to sluggish results in 2023. The market for smartphones has bottomed out and is starting to show signs of recovery, which is intricately connected…

Solid current value and volume sales of headphones in Ukrainian 2024 can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the increasing popularity of wireless and noise-cancelling headphones has fuelled demand for more advanced and feature-rich models,…

Despite continuing high inflation, performance for health and beauty specialists in Bulgaria was stable, with constant value sales rising slightly. There was also further opening of outlets. Value sales through pharmacies continued to account for…

Health and beauty specialists is a channel which has been affected by cross-category trends in Hungary in 2023. Specifically, the impact of high inflation has led to a growing presence of private label options, thus, to meet the needs of…

In 2023, health and beauty specialists recorded strong growth in value sales. This channel has thus far been relatively resistant to the rising cost crisis in the country. This is influenced by its wide range of products and rapid response to the…

Within health and beauty specialist retailers in Romania in 2023, chemists/pharmacies held the most significant retail value sales by far. These outlets have the largest number of stores, with a strong sales position that continued to be in place…