Western Europe

In 2022 and 2023, Germany was witnessing a surge in inflation, primarily driven by the escalating costs within the food industry. Processed fruit and vegetables, in particular, have been grappling with notable price hikes. These increases can be…

Although Austria enjoys solid economic freedom and a strong rule of law, a shift to the far right could create policymaking instability. Whilst unemployment is relatively low and inflation is falling, the economy is set for a marked slowdown in the…

Players are capitalising on the particularly strong demand for healthy ready meals as these combine the desire for a nutritious meal with convenience and consumers’ now entrenched habit of consuming ready meals whilst at work. At the end of 2022, new…

Sales of juice have continued to decline in retail volume terms in 2023. Sales have in part been negatively affected by the resumption of cross-border trade with Sweden. Although Sweden has also been impacted by elevated inflation it still continues…

Sales of energy drinks have rocketed in Norway over the review period with sales almost doubling in retail volume terms. Successful marketing campaigns have resulted in widespread adoption of these products with some consumers drinking one or two…

Olive oil is generally the preference of Greek consumers as they consider it more nutritious and healthier than vegetable and seed oils. Following the negative impact of inflationary pressures in 2022, the Greek olive oil industry has experienced new…

Cooking ingredients and meals continues to battle with high prices in 2023, which are impacting consumer’s buying habits, although inflation is lower than in the previous year. Amid this improved economic climate, retail volume sales have made a…

Off-trade volume sales of liquid concentrates have continued to decline in 2023. This is due to negative pressure from the resumption of cross-border trade. Liquid concentrates are popular purchases when Norwegians go on day-trips to Sweden.…

Sales of carbonates have continued to decline in retail volume terms in 2023 with mounting health concerns and economic pressures taking their toll. Norway has continued to face elevated rates of inflation in 2023 while prices have risen across most…

The evolving landscape of consumer behaviour after the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape the choices of Germans, including when it comes to breakfast cereals. The extended periods of working from home and an increased emphasis on indoor living…

Bottled water benefitted from increasing demand for convenience in 2022. A large proportion of purchases of still bottled water are made on impulse by consumers seeking to quench their thirst while on the go. Thus, this category saw strong growth as…

High ingredient and energy prices have had a significant impact on the production costs of baked goods in Germany. The German baking industry has been facing mounting challenges due to rising expenses. Ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter or eggs…

Wound care sales have gained momentum in 2023 amid a return to travel and tourism. People are more comfortable with travelling following the COVID-19 pandemic and have resumed taking vacations and excursions. Moreover, there has been a reduction in…

A mild winter in 2023 led to only modest volume growth for product areas such as jackets and coats and jumpers. However, temperatures were unusually low in late spring, with the summer season starting later than usual. This impacted sales of summer…

Retail volume sales of womenswear are projected to fall over 2023. This is partly due to stabilisation following two years of rebound, especially in 2022, from the slump recorded during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020. However, demand has…

A growing proportion of the Swiss population is considered obese, while the percentage of overweight people has also been increasing for several years as the pandemic years resulted in weight gains. These trends have created a somewhat positive…

Consumers in Switzerland continue to self-educate on the benefits of supplementation and how to get the necessary nutrients into their diets. Although priority is still given to obtaining vitamins from food as part of a balanced and healthy…

Vacuum cleaners is set to see a small overall decline in volume terms in 2023. The category experienced a large surge in growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, as many consumers replaced their vacuum cleaner or purchased an additional one, given…

Turkey implemented an economic programme in May 2023 to help navigate the delicate equilibrium between domestic demand and export priorities, as articulated by the financial authorities of Turkey. Practically, this indicates the policies set forth…

Staple foods overall is recording a decline in total volume but an increase in value, primarily due to rising prices, in Portugal in 2023. The foodservice sector has recovered to its 2019 sales levels, significantly aided by tourism. However, on-site…