Western Europe

Home improvement in Italy experienced slower growth in current value terms in 2023 compared to the previous year. This downward trend was largely influenced by Italy’s popular 'Superbonus 110%' scheme, introduced in 2020, which offers homeowners a…

Bed textiles saw only moderate growth in current value terms in the Netherlands in 2023 despite an increasing emphasis on home comfort and relaxation, which has been driven by lifestyle shifts. During the pandemic individuals spent more time at home…

Barbecuing has become an integral part of Switzerland's outdoor leisure culture, particularly following the pandemic. With people spending more time outdoors, the popularity of barbecues surged in 2023 seeing growth. Whether by the lake or atop a…

Italians are passionate about outdoor cooking and grilling and enjoy using barbecues throughout all seasons. Despite seasonal fluctuations, the market peaks in spring, particularly around Easter, with summer close behind due to national holidays and…

The macroeconomic situation in the Netherlands was marked by a slowdown in growth, with GDP contracting over the first three quarters of 2023 which was met with declining consumer confidence. High inflation also had a substantial impact on disposable…

In 2023, the home and garden market in Switzerland experienced a slight decline as the country faced macroeconomic issues such as inflation, an economic slowdown, rising interest rates, and global conflicts, which collectively led to a cautious…

Home and garden saw slower growth in current value terms in 2023 compared to the previous two years, with this being driven by a combination of factors. Economic uncertainty and inflation played a significant role, leading to an increase in list…

Fertiliser experienced slower growth in current value terms in 2023. Despite the Netherlands' strong tradition of horticulture and gardening, with a significant portion of the population actively engaged in these activities, the demand for fertiliser…

In 2023, despite economic uncertainties, the gardening category experienced only marginal declines, reflecting a shift towards conservative consumer spending habits in Switzerland. The emphasis on home-centric lifestyles prompted increased interest…

Gardening in Italy saw a significant decline in sales in 2023 which was in part due to the erratic weather which was linked to the impact of climate change. The country experienced severe droughts followed by heavy rains, creating a challenging…

Traditionally, glass jars have been the dominant pack type for chocolate spreads. While they still continue to clearly lead unit packaging volumes, their share has been decreasing in this category. HDPE bottles and squeezable plastic tubes are…

Exotic flavours are seeing growing demand among French consumers seeking new taste experiences. This trend is driving increasing interest in products like barbecue and chili sauces, compared to more traditional table sauces such as ketchup and…

The major pack type used for chilled processed meat in France is thin wall plastic containers. Thin wall plastic containers are popular thanks to being lightweight, durable and relatively inexpensive. After thin wall plastic containers, other plastic…

Flexible plastic and folding cartons are the main pack types used for packaging frozen processed potatoes in France. However, folding cartons have been gaining share from flexible plastic for a number of years, in part because of sustainability…

While brick liquid cartons continue to be the leading pack type for plant-based milk in France in unit volume terms, they have been losing share to HDPE bottles. This shift can be attributed to several factors. HDPE bottles offer superior durability…

In France, leading players in shelf stable soup have been responding to the challenging environment by revamping their brands and products. This has been boosting demand for glass bottles, although brick liquid cartons continue to dominate packaging…

Spreadable cheese has been growing in popularity among French consumers as it is convenient to use and easy to spread. This has therefore been boosting the packaging unit volumes of thin wall plastic containers, as they are the primary pack type used…

Consumers continued to indulge in chocolate confectionery as a small, affordable treat, providing a sense of comfort and mood enhancement. The decline in the usage of aluminium foil in chocolate confectionery packaging can be attributed to several…

The demand for organic products for babies and children, including those labelled as gluten-free or allergy-free, is on the rise in France. This trend is particularly evident in the strong performance of powder special baby milk, including…

The rising popularity of cats as household companions is leading to significant expansion of the cat population, driving up the demand for cat litter in Germany. This surge in feline ownership is creating a robust market opportunity for manufacturers…