Western Europe

The briefing introduces the Cities Households Necessities Spending Index. The index ranks 1,075 cities by household expenditure on non-discretionary items, namely food, housing, and clothing and footwear. This analysis focuses on 160 major cities.…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

Sales of contact lenses and solutions in France are moderating in 2024 following a period of strong growth during and directly after the COVID-19 pandemic. The inconvenience of spectacle lenses fogging up while wearing masks had deterred some people…

Although the incidence of vision health problems is increasing, retail volume and current value sales of contact lenses in Germany are expected to decrease in 2024. The ongoing uncertain socioeconomic context continues to dampen potential sales due…

Contact lenses is set to see mid-single digit growth in current value terms in Italy in 2024, continuing the trend from the previous year, with the category being the most dynamic within eyewear. Growth in the category will be supported by Italians…

Retail volume and current value sales of contact lenses and solutions in Spain are expected to see strong growth over 2024, albeit slower compared to 2023. Economic factors in 2024 continue to exert a strong influence on the category. In this vein,…

Retail volume sales of contact lenses and solutions has been relatively stagnant in Sweden for much of the review period, although there was a slight uptick in 2024. Advanced features and rising prices brought on by inflation has underpinned current…

Contact lenses and solutions in Switzerland are set to record minimal current value growth in 2024 despite further price increases. Value sales have almost reached pre-pandemic levels in real terms, as consumers buy more frequently and spend slightly…

Sales of contact lenses and solutions remain driven by daily disposable lenses in the Netherlands, continuing the trend evidenced during the latter part of the review period. Manufacturers are committed to increasing the penetration of daily…

Contact lenses in the UK are set to deliver solid single-digit volume and current value growth over 2024, which will make it the most dynamic performer in eyewear (in terms of volume growth). After the decline that resulted from the pandemic in 2020,…

Rising concern about the prevalence of myopia among children and teenagers, primarily due to excessive screen exposure, has contributed to a renewed focus on contact lenses and solutions. Teenagers in particular often feel self-conscious about…

In 2024, eyewear in France is witnessing slower growth compared to recent years, in both retail volume and current value terms. With inflation softening in 2024, French consumers and inbound tourists who can afford to pay for luxury products are…

Eyewear in Germany is expected to display positive retail current value growth in 2024, mainly boosted by rising unit prices. A focus on materials and quality, customisation, and personalisation, are all boosting value sales through premiumisation,…

Eyewear is expected to record low single-digit growth in current value terms in Italy in 2024. Growth is set to be supported by Italian consumers’ recovery in purchasing power. Indeed, most categories’ volume sales are expected to see growth on the…

Eyewear in Spain continues to see a return to pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19) consumption patterns in 2024. As in 2023, the end of COVID-19-related restrictions in the country has seen Spanish consumers resume out-of-home lifestyles, returning more fully…

Eyewear in Sweden continues to display a robust performance in 2024, buoyed by an ageing population and increasing time spent on digital screens, which are both boosting the need for more specialist or value-added eyewear products. The rising…

Eyewear recorded positive current value growth in Switzerland over 2024, with price increases responsible for much of this increase. Retail volume sales declined marginally as many consumers remained careful with expenditure and continued to…

In 2024, sales of eyewear in the Netherlands are experiencing healthy growth, continuing the positive trend from the previous year. Despite facing challenges such as price increases and inflation, Dutch consumers consider eyewear an essential item…

Eyewear in the UK is expected to continue to record single-digit retail volume and current value growth in 2024, albeit at marginally slower rates than the previous year. Eyewear in the UK witnessed a relatively quick recovery after the decline seen…

Eyewear in Turkey has been in recovery since 2021, but a full return to pre-pandemic levels in volume terms is not expected until the second half of the forecast period. Sales have already recovered in current value terms, but this has largely driven…