Western Europe

Appliances and electronics specialists in Sweden was one of the few channels that posted a decrease in retail value sales in 2022 and 2023. This was the case even in current terms, even though the inflation rate reached a high single-digit figure in…

Despite a recovery to pre-pandemic value sales levels in 2022, driven by high inflation and pent-up demand for in-store shopping as mobility restrictions eased, appliances and electronics specialists in Germany returned to decline in 2023. This was…

Apparel and footwear specialists in Sweden had to deal with unstable macroeconomic and geopolitical environments towards the end of the review period. The high inflation rates in 2022 and 2023 forced consumers to prioritise purchases of essential…

In 2023, apparel and footwear specialists in Germany, including H&M, experienced modest growth compared to the double-digit rise recorded the previous year due to an easing of pandemic restrictions and pent-up demand, yet sales remained below…

Lingering inflationary pressures continued in sweet spreads in Austria in 2023, resulting in stronger value growth supported by high prices, while volume sales just about managed to remain positive. Indeed, as sweet spreads are perceived as less…

Street stalls/kiosks demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability navigating the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite facing temporary closures and restrictions during the height of the pandemic, many vendors quickly pivoted…

Self-service cafeterias in Germany witnessed robust growth in current value terms and transaction volumes in 2023, and low growth in outlet numbers. The German consumer landscape favours quick and convenient eating out options that align with busy…

Sales in sauces, dips and condiments maintained demand in Austria in 2023, resulting in positive value growth underlined by still-high prices, alongside smaller volume growth due to the baseline demand. These factors are being driven by…

Meals and soups saw strong value growth in Austria in 2023, driven by inflationary pressures leading to high unit prices, while volume sales are also bouncing back into stronger positive growth. That said, challenges remain, as while inflationary…

Current value sales in limited-service restaurants in Germany experienced another year of notable recovery in 2023, signalling a departure from the challenges and uncertainties of previous years. After navigating through periods of economic…

The gradual recovery of economic and consumer confidence following the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation throughout 2022 contributed to the growth of full-service restaurants in Germany in 2023. Growth was not only seen in…

Sales in edible oils continued to stabilise in 2023 in Austria, following the era of price hikes and supply disruptions. That said, the return to foodservice does somewhat place downwards pressure on potential sales, when compared to the era of home…

Sales in cooking ingredients and meals continued to stabilise in Austria in 2023. This is thanks to inflation starting to slow down, thus resulting in more stable food prices. For example, we can note this in edible oils, which was a category…

The consumer foodservice industry was without doubt challenged in recent years. This started in the first quarter of 2020 with the COVID-19 pandemic, which had a direct effect in this and following years, with outlet closures and sales at historic…

Showing overwhelming dominance when the effects of the pandemic and inflation significantly impacted the consumer foodservice industry, standalone continued to be the leading location when the scenario showed almost complete recovery in 2023, despite…

In 2023, current value sales in cafés/bars in Germany continued to lag behind the pre-pandemic level, despite increases in value sales and volume transactions. One of the notable trends in this year was the persistence of a lower average spend per…

Positive net migration rates will drive population growth across Western Europe in 2021-2040. Ageing will remain a key trend, influenced by rising life expectancy and declining birth rates. Consequently, citizens 65+ will become an increasingly…

Writing instruments occupy a modest share of the overall personal accessories market in Switzerland, thus exerting minimal influence on the sector. In 2023, the category witnessed stagnant growth in value terms, with a slight decline in volume sales…

Wipes in Switzerland continues to benefit from consumers’ higher hygiene standards since the COVID-19 pandemic. Swiss consumers were drawn to the portability and efficiency of wipes as life outside the home and travel resumed in 2023. Additionally,…

Wipes in Austria saw continued growth in current value terms in 2023. However, this was driven to a large extent by inflationary pressures, which led to an increase in unit prices. Personal wipes remained highly popular with consumers, having…