Eastern Europe

Retail e-commerce continued to see more dynamic growth than offline retail in 2022 in current value terms with companies continuing to invest in setting up, expanding and improving their online presence. Local and international retailers have been…

It was a poor trading year for retail in Slovakia in 2023. With inflation still being high, as well increasing interest rates leading to higher mortgage payments, consumers felt the pinch. As such, there was only marginal growth in current value…

Retail in Slovenia is being supported by the return to out-of-home lifestyles in 2022, following the pandemic restrictions which stretched into 2021. Retail e-commerce is the big winner, as this channel was notably enhanced by the era of the pandemic…

Retail in the Czech Republic was heavily affected by the war in Ukraine, as energy costs soared and inflation climbed to double digits, a trend that has continued into 2023. The Czech economy has weakened substantially with consumers struggling to…

After experiencing a deep contraction in 2022 due to the shock of the Russian invasion, retail in Ukraine saw total current value sales rebound at an impressive pace in 2023 as consumers and businesses adjusted to the new reality. However, recovery…

In retail tissue in Bosnia and Herzegovina, toilet paper, paper tableware and paper towels all saw a moderate decline in retail volume terms in 2023. Consumers opted to economise and refrained from buying less essential products like paper tableware.…

Volume sales of retail tissue in Bulgaria declined in 2023 due to weaker demand for napkins, boxed facial tissues and toilet paper, although for differing reasons. Napkins are not only considered less essential, but consumers were put off by price…

A strong unit price increase in all retail tissue categories had negative impact of volume sales in Croatia in 2023. The only category to see volume growth in the year was toilet paper as this is an essential item. Consumers sought to make savings in…

In 2023, retail sales of retail tissue in Estonia recorded solid growth, both in value and volume terms. Boxed facial tissues experienced remarkable volume growth in 2023, driven by heightened consumer awareness and evolving lifestyle trends. The…

The return to pre-pandemic lifestyles in 2023 has stimulated volume sales of retail tissue in Georgia. Despite this growth, there has been a decline in unit prices. In 2022, the price of cellulose surged, leading to significant increases in tissue…

In 2023, retail value sales of retail tissue were double-digit in Hungary, driven by ongoing inflation and price hikes. Consumer purchasing behaviour changed in line with the economic downturn, driving interest in more affordable, economy retail…

Throughout 2023, the demand for paper towels experienced remarkable growth in both value and volume terms. This surge can be attributed to the growing recognition among consumers of the versatility and practicality of paper towels in various…

As Lithuania emerged from the pandemic in 2023, retail tissue underwent a period of adjustment, navigating the new normal. Amidst this transition, certain products like toilet paper, regarded as household staples, remained relatively stable,…

Retail tissue in North Macedonia witnessed limited volume growth in 2023, due to the lacklustre performance of toilet paper. Consumption has been impinged by cost of living pressures and significant price increases across all retail tissue products,…

In 2023, retail tissue in Poland registered double-digit retail value growth, the result of high inflation and rising price points. As manufacturers faced increased production costs, these were passed on to consumers, resulting in higher unit prices.…

Inflation in 2023 influenced Romanians' shopping behaviour for retail tissue. Unit prices continued to rise due to increased costs associated with raw materials and energy, as well as the trend towards premiumisation. This led to further polarisation…

In 2023, consumers focused on buying essential retail tissue products in Serbia, as inflation remained stubbornly high. Toilet paper faced robust volume growth and supported overall category growth, as it is considered a necessary product that cannot…

Retail tissue in Slovakia bucked the downward economic trend in 2023, by posting a solid increase in volume sales. Healthy growth in toilet paper supported this trend aided by brand and private label innovations. Economy toilet paper was launched by…

Sales of retail tissue in Slovenia in 2023 saw growth in both value and volume terms. This expansion was primarily propelled by heightened hygiene awareness among consumers, a growing population, and the ongoing urbanisation trend. Post-pandemic,…

Retail tissue saw modest volume growth and double-digit growth in current value terms in 2023, with inflationary pressures helping bolster the value performance. Amid rising inflation, local consumers are more price sensitive and look for…