Serbia

There was a slight fall in volume sales of cigarettes in Serbia in 2023. This was partly due to continuing population decline. Price hikes and tax hikes, along with high inflation, also dampened volume sales somewhat. However, smoking prevalence only…

Though current value sales of tobacco increased in 2023, constant value sales fell, as inflation continued to be high. Volume sales also only increased marginally.

New regulations were introduced for e-vapour products in Serbia in 2023. Amendments to the Tobacco Law, effective from November 2023, established a new category for electronic cigarettes and associated products, regardless of their nicotine content.…

Both cigars and cigarillos registered volume growth in Serbia in 2024, unlike cigarettes, which saw volume sales fall. One reason for the positive performance of cigars and cigarillos is that the price gap between cigarettes and cigars and cigarillos…

Insight into income, wealth and expenditure of consumers and households is vital in helping businesses make strategic decisions with regards to which country (or even which region within a country) to enter, which consumer segment to target, which…

The number of households is set to increase slightly, while the average household size will shrink in Serbia over 2023-2028. Couples with children will remain the dominant household type but the fastest household expenditure growth is forecast to be…

The report examines the economic landscape of Serbia and provides information on major monetary indicators, foreign trade and government finance. The economy expanded in real terms in 2023, driven by exports, private consumption. However, global…

Sun care in Serbia experienced robust growth in 2023 driven by aggressive promotional activities by all major players, commencing as early as April and extending throughout the summer season. The exceptionally hot weather prompted Serbians to spend…

Skin care in Serbia continued to experience both volume and value growth in 2023, attributed to the introduction of new products, increasing consumer awareness, and the influence of social media. Leading players consistently innovate and enhance…

Premium beauty and personal care in Serbia continued its impressive ascent in 2023, characterised by stable double-digit growth in retail value sales. This upward trajectory was predominantly underpinned by a strategic price increase strategy adopted…

In 2023, oral care in Serbia continued to experience consistent volume growth, building upon the momentum seen in previous years. While the volume sales growth mirrored that of the previous year, the notable increase in value sales was primarily…

Men's grooming in Serbia exhibited a stable performance in 2023, with middle-aged consumers primarily gravitating towards basic products like shampoo and body wash. However, the influence of social media is prompting younger Serbians to adopt…

The surge in mass beauty and personal care sales in Serbia during 2023 was primarily fuelled by a robust escalation in prices. This inflationary trend, coupled with heightened price sensitivity among consumers, prompted a notable transition across…

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.…

Fragrances in Serbia in 2023 showcased stable performance but encountered notable challenges. A significant development was observed with drugstore chains like Dm introducing low-cost fragrances within their product offerings. Similarly, the…

Depilatories in Serbia experienced slight volume growth in 2023, propelled by the prevalence of active lifestyles among women. As women ventured out more frequently, there was a corresponding uptick in demand for hair removal products. However, this…

Deodorants in Serbia witnessed a notable surge in prices in 2023, yet this did not deter volume sales. Instead, consumers opted for alternative formats of deodorants designed for extended use, transitioning from sprays to roll-ons, creams, or sticks.…

In 2023, the sales trajectory of colour cosmetics in Serbia was propelled by a resurgence in pre-pandemic lifestyle patterns and the pervasive influence of social media. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram emerged as powerful catalysts, with…

In 2023, beauty and personal care in Serbia witnessed a notable shift driven by inflationary pressures, leading to price increases across all product areas. While value sales experienced growth primarily due to these price hikes, volume sales saw a…

Bath and shower in Serbia experienced robust growth in 2023, propelled by a significant surge in retail value sales attributed to high price growth. This inflationary trend notably impacted shower gels, where consumers encountered a plethora of…

In Serbia, baby and child-specific products witnessed a steadfast allegiance among consumers in 2023, underpinned by a robust brand loyalty ethos. Rather than flitting between various brands or succumbing to the allure of cheaper alternatives,…

Demand for wipes in Serbia has been supported by elevated hygiene standards since the COVID-19 pandemic. Though wipes registered double-digit current value growth in 2023, constant value sales were flat. Prices have been rising due to the soaring…

Rising inflation has dampened volume sales of tissue and hygiene in Serbia. Higher logistical and raw material costs linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have also resulted in price increases. With the high costs of living…

Volume sales of Rx/reimbursement adult incontinence in Serbia remained stable in 2023. The ageing population is the main driver of category sales, as the elderly tend to experience incontinence issues later in life. In tandem, rising inflation and…

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 adult incontinence remains a taboo topic in Serbia as people do not like to discuss incontinence problems, even with their relatives and friends. In general, retail volume sales are stimulated by the ageing population in Serbia, which already…

Nappies/diapers/pants in Serbia faces challenges from demographic and economic factors. The birth rate in Serbia continued to slow in 2023, reaching 0.5%, according to official national statistics, which was on a par with 2022 levels. The government…

Serbian women are generally quite conservative with regards to menstrual care. Sanitary towels remain the most popular product, whilst menstrual cups and reusable pads are available but remain a niche. Moreover, some consumers consider re-washable…

Away-from-home tissue and hygiene in Serbia has been supported by the return to pre-pandemic lifestyles, which has boosted tissue sales. Horeca is the most important channel for away-from-home tissue in Serbia and the recovery of this channel in 2023…

Depopulation in Serbia from 2021-2040 will be the result of the rising death rate and reduced births. Improved living standards and declining births will see ageing continue, with over a quarter of the population being 65+ by 2040. The rural…

In 2023, growing unit prices and strengthening economising trend led consumers to reduce their purchases while focusing on essentials. As a result, toilet care saw a decline in retail volume sales in all areas while overall retail value grew. Many…

With price hikes resulting in strong retail value growth, volume sales were challenged in 2023, leading to a retail volume decline in surface. Serbians focused on affordability and necessities, leading many to switch to cheaper brands or migrate to…

While retail value sales were positively impacted by price increases, leading to double-digit growth, retail volume sales of polishes in Serbia were challenged. Price growth and the decline in disposable incomes led consumers to forgo the purchases…

While retail value growth was positive in 2023, this was driven by ongoing inflation, with price rises encouraging Serbians to adapt their budgets in line with reduced disposable incomes. Many have begun to focus on essentials while consuming less…

While retail value sales were positive in 2023, driven by rising unit prices, home insecticides continued to face a retail volume decline in 2023. This decline resulted from a reduction in the consumer base and reduced purchase frequency. High…

While retail value growth was double-digit in 2023, this was the result of rising inflation and heightened price points. As a result, while retail value growth was positive, retail volume growth struggled, recording a decline in most home care…

In 2023, high price growth led to double-digit retail value growth, while retail volume sales struggled. With prices rising steeply, consumers were encouraged to be as economical as possible, with a volume decline for hand dishwashing liquids further…

The bleach landscape in Serbia is small, with a few products available in retail, which is decreasing each year. Demand for bleach remained under pressure in Serbia in 2023 as consumers continued to abandon the category in favour of more…

Rising price points led to double-digit value growth in 2023, while growing prices encouraged some consumers to purchase less and shift to private label goods. In addition, branded players focused on deals and discounts to retain sales. Despite these…

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…

The escalation in prices coupled with a decline in disposable income has adversely affected the sales of tea in 2023 within Serbia. Additionally, as consumers gravitate towards a return to their pre-pandemic lifestyles, spending more time outside…

Sports drinks in Serbia witnessed a notable increase in volume sales attributed primarily to the expanding consumer base. The awareness surrounding sports drinks continues to grow, with a broader spectrum of Serbians, not just athletes, becoming more…

Soft drinks in Serbia faced significant challenges in 2023 due to a decline in disposable income. The economic downturn prompted Serbians to reassess their purchasing habits, focusing primarily on essential products. With price sensitivity on the…

Ready-to-drink (RTD) tea faces challenges due to soaring prices and a decline in disposable income among Serbians in 2023. As consumers prioritise spending on essentials, the demand for RTD tea diminishes. Consequently, producers of RTD tea curtail…

High inflation and a decline in disposable income hinder the further growth of RTD coffee in 2023. Despite this, RTD coffee maintains volume sales due to its growth potential in an unsaturated category. Key players like Nescafé face intensified…

The return of consumers to pre-pandemic lifestyles has triggered intensified competition with on-trade establishments. With consumers spending more time outside their homes and seeking on-the-go options, on-trade sales are experiencing slower growth…

Juice, deemed non-essential, witnessed a decline in consumption in 2023, influenced by soaring prices and a decrease in disposable income within Serbia. Economically conscious consumers reduced juice consumption or migrated towards more affordable…

In 2023, the consumption of hot drinks in Serbia faced a slowdown due to rising prices and a decline in disposable income. Consumers responded by reducing consumption volumes, shifting towards more affordable brands, opting for private label…

Energy drinks in Serbia have experienced notable volume sales growth, primarily driven by the return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. The busier pace of life further encourages the consumption of energy drinks. Leading players in this market retain their…

Powder concentrates persist as a traditional product familiar to many Serbians. The area boasts several robust local players in both liquid and powder concentrates, fuelling further development. The escalating prices and decline in disposable income…