Romania

In 2023, the main drivers of growth for the bottled water landscape were consumers' reluctancy to drink tap water and the tradition of mineral water in the country. Nevertheless, the declining purchasing power in 2023 was reflected in a slowdown of…

In the backdrop of sustained high inflation in Romania in 2023, the resulting high cost of living significantly impacted the retail sales of basic food products, defining the landscape for staple foods during the same year. Analysis of statistics and…

The volume growth in the category in 2023 can be attributed to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, effectively putting an end to stockpiling behaviours during the pandemic. The convenience of easy cooking and the ability to store products for…

The persistently high inflation in 2023 has significantly diminished the purchasing power of the majority of the population. This financial strain has been further exacerbated by the escalating average shelf prices of processed meat and seafood,…

The volume decline experienced by the category in 2023 can be primarily attributed to the surge in the average unit price at the shelf, driven by persistently high inflation and an overall rise in food prices that outpaced inflation. The enduring…

The growth in the volume sales of breakfast cereals in 2023, despite significant price increases, can be attributed to reduced price sensitivity among mostly higher-income urban professionals. This demographic group, committed to a healthy lifestyle,…

Bread continues to hold a central role in baked goods in Romania, acting as a traditional and indispensable component of meals. The performance of baked goods in 2023 closely mirrored the trends observed in the bread product area. Despite the…

The higher costs of raw ingredients, glass packaging, energy and logistics weighed significantly on the high increases in prices of products on retailers’ shelves. As a result, there is expected to be only a very marginal rise in overall retail…

The decreases in retail volume sales of sauces, dips and condiments in 2022 and 2023 owed much to the lifting of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions in March 2022. This was underpinned by the return to eating out and out-of-home social, leisure and…

Projected retail volume growth for some categories of meals and soups in 2023 is boosted by the total lifting of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions since 2022. This has led to a return to the office for employees for whom many of these products…

The projected drop in retail volume sales of edible oils over 2023 is due to price hikes. The prices of sunflower seeds hiked due to the war in Ukraine and a prolonged dry season, alongside higher manufacturing and retailing costs driven by fuel and…

The performance of cooking meals and ingredients during 2023 was influenced by the impact of food price rises over the rate of inflation for many basic food products, which hiked the cost of living for consumers. The high cost of living had a…

Pre-paid cards are experiencing significant growth in 2023, encompassing a surge in the number of cards in circulation, the volume of transactions, and their overall value. This surge is primarily attributed to the remarkable growth potential…

Romania lags behind in financial inclusion compared to other nations, showcasing a lower uptake of basic financial services, primarily due to a trifecta of factors: low financial literacy levels, a significant grey economy, and a widespread…

Online payments have seen a significant surge in popularity, continuing through 2023, with an increasing number of e-commerce transactions being finalised through online payment methods. Electronic direct transfers and ACH (Automated Clearing House)…

The growth in credit card transactions is slowing down as a result of persisting inflation and escalating consumer prices, prompting a return to higher levels of budget-consciousness and financial uncertainty. Economic instability has led to reduced…

Consumer lending in Romania for the year 2023 portrays a nuanced landscape influenced by several key factors. The confluence of increasing interest rates, high inflation, and the geopolitical context shaped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has…

Consumer lending in 2023 is experiencing a slowdown due to the rapid rise in interest rates and the prevailing economic uncertainty. There is a notable increase in interest in quick loans from non-banking institutions and card lending. The surge in…

Charge cards experience sluggish growth due to rising inflation and a low economic performance, leading companies to optimise expenditures by reducing spending limits. However, charge cards lack digital options that are flourishing in other card…

Inflation has shaped how Romanians make purchases, with impulse shopping now declining. However, demand for womenswear remained high in 2023, as consumers prefer to wait for discounts or sometimes even to buy in instalments rather than giving up…