Western Europe

Surface care posted a positive performance in 2023 driven by the convenience trend and sustained high levels of hygiene consciousness following the COVID-19 crisis. Moreover, despite the return to more normal social and economic activity in the wake…

In response to a high inflationary environment and cost-of-living pressures, households are placing a paramount focus on price value in their surface care choices. Manufacturers are addressing this by employing attribute bundling in their product…

Demand for surface care showed signs of stabilisation in 2023, as consumers settled back into familiar patterns of cleaning behaviour, following a surge in interest in hygiene following the outbreak of COVID-19. Nonetheless, consumers remained more…

In 2023, surface care saw value growth dampened by the consumer switch to less expensive product options in the midst of a marked rise in the cost of living and an uncertain economic environment. The private label segment was a notable beneficiary of…

Higher retail price points in 2023 can be attributed to rising input costs, including energy, material sourcing, labour, supply chain distribution and logistics. These increased costs are often transferred to retail price points.

Surface care suffered a third consecutive year of declining volume sales in 2023, in contrast to the surge in demand seen in 2020. The advent of the COVID-19 virus in Italy had a very strong positive impact on retail sales in both volume and current…

Retail value sales were positive in 2023, benefiting from the spring-cleaning season at Easter. However, the bulk of retail value growth was the result of rising inflation, which led to increased price points. As such, while retail value growth was…

As a result of the decline in disposable incomes, consumer spending priorities have changed and, in turn, we are seeing sluggish volume sales overall, in addition to challenges faced by certain value-added products which come with higher price tags.…

In 2023, greater time spent outside of the home following the easing of pandemic restrictions further dragged on demand for surface care in Germany, resulting in volume sales dipping below 2019 levels. On the other hand, value sales continued to rise…

2023 was a tough year for sales of surface care with volume sales declining while value growth was due to price increases rather than an increase in demand. With consumers’ disposable income being squeezed they were forced to rationalise their…

Surface care faces challenges during a period of price growth in 2023, with consumers focusing on essential purchases. Sprays, especially basic surface care sprays, remain the most popular format. However, disinfecting products experienced a notable…

While showing signs of moderating, inflation remained an issue for the Danish economy at the end of the review period. From a review period perspective, inflation remained high in 2023, albeit below the 2022 peak rate. Inflation continued to have an…

Following a steep fall in 2022, volume sales in surface care remained under pressure in 2023. Inflation and the drop in disposable income for Belgian households meant that many consumers were careful about the amount of product they used when…

Surface care saw a healthy increase in current value sales in 2023, driven by rising average unit prices, while overall volume sales saw a decline. Despite local consumers maintaining higher standards for hygiene and cleanliness post-pandemic, with…

With rising inflation impacting price points, 2023 saw double-digit retail value growth. However, retail volume declined in all areas, with deepest declines noted in metal polish and furniture polish. The decline observed in both floor and furniture…

Demand for polishes in the UK continued to decline in 2023, in line with the category’s general pre-pandemic trend. The ongoing decline continues to be exacerbated by greater mobility outside of the home, as consumers spend more time in the office or…

Dutch workers embrace informal wear at most companies, making consumers less interested in formal work shoes which need polishing. At the same time, the hybrid form of working is also having some impact, as office workers spend time at home requiring…

Polishes continued to experience a decline in volume sales in 2023, maintaining a trend that persisted throughout the review period. The category has been hit hard by changing lifestyles and fashions in clothing and interior design. It has also…

The industry continues to witness a rise in retail price points, driven by inflationary pressures and increasing input costs. With inflation remaining at a high rate in 2023, households exhibit heightened price sensitivity, leading to a shift in…

Polishes continued its long-term decline in retail volume terms in 2023 with many consumers no longer considering these products as necessary. This is partly down to changes in the materials used for furniture and footwear, with many consumers moving…