Western Europe

In 2023, the surge in growth of other home improvement products in France, such as ladders, step stools, workbenches, toolboxes, and tool belts, can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the high costs of professional services, exacerbated by…

Homewares in France experienced a slowdown in current value growth amid weaker consumer demand, primarily due to the previous stockpiling of such goods during the pandemic years. This accumulation of inventory limited the sales potential in 2023, at…

The report examines the global landscape of EV charging, comparing its development against the rising uptake of EVs. It then takes a deep dive into EV charging trends across select major economies, delving into the competitive landscape and…

In 2023, Denmark's real GDP growth slowed to 1.4%, yet outperformed the Western European average. Despite a rise in private spending and exports, the economy was hindered by sluggish public consumption and increased interest rates. Over the forecast…

In 2023, Switzerland’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7%, dragged down by subdued private investment and public consumption. Following this deceleration in 2023, the Swiss economy is projected to grow by 1.2% in 2024, primarily driven by domestic activity.…

In 2023, France’s GDP growth slowed to 0.7%, underperforming Western Europe’s average, weighed down by high inflation, stringent financial conditions and sluggish public consumption. The country’s economic growth is projected to pick up in 2024,…

In 2023, Greece’s GDP growth slowed to 2.2%, but outperformed Western Europe’s average. Economic growth was driven by private spending, gross fixed capital formation, and a resurgence in tourism, although it was hindered to some extent by sluggish…

Ireland’s real GDP contracted in 2023, primarily due to subdued foreign demand, which negatively affected export-focused industries, and sluggish private investment. In 2024, Ireland’s economy is projected to rebound, underpinned by a robust labour…

The market for toys and games in the Netherlands saw continued growth in current value terms in 2023, albeit at a slower rate than the previous year. This was driven primarily by video games, both hardware and software. Video gamers are, in general,…

In terms of toys and games in Turkey in 2023, though current value sales increased, constant value sales fell. While inflation eased, it continued to be in the high double-digits, and this cut into profit margins. After the elections of May 2023,…

Traditional toys and games in the Netherlands registered only modest growth in current value terms in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. Consumers felt the pinch of inflation and as such, were more cautious with their spending. While…

In spite of continuing high inflation in Turkey, traditional toys and games registered healthy current value growth. The best performing segment was dolls and accessories and this was in part boosted by the launch of the Barbie movie in summer 2023.…

The market for video games in the Netherlands saw healthy growth in current value terms in 2023. Video gamers are, in general, not significantly influenced by inflation and therefore continued to support the category despite the difficult economic…

Continued high inflation and a weak local currency negatively impacted video games in Turkey in 2023. Though current value sales increased, constant value sales fell significantly. Also, a notable trend in 2023 was the shift from mobile games to…

In 2023, Turkey’s real GDP growth slowed to 2.8% amid tight financial conditions and surging inflation, but it outperformed Western Europe’s average growth. Furthermore, Turkey’s inflation levels decreased to 53.9% in 2023, following a change in the…

The Western European pet care market performed strongly during the pandemic, with pet adoption levels up and owners spending more time with their pets during home seclusion. However, the high inflation in the region was putting pressure on consumers’…

In 2023, Portugal’s economy grew by 2.2%, outperforming Western Europe’s average, supported by increases in private spending, public consumption, and a thriving tourism industry. However, a slowdown is expected in 2024, due to a challenging external…

In 2023, the Netherlands’ economic growth decelerated, due to subdued private expenditure and a drop in exports. However, the economy was supported by increases in public spending and gross fixed capital formation. Despite the slowdown in economic…

In 2023, Spain’s economy demonstrated a degree of resilience, with real GDP growth of 2.5%, outperforming the Western European average, despite the environment of geopolitical instability, high inflation and elevated burrowing costs. However, a…

In 2023, Sweden’s economy contracted slightly, with a decline in private spending and housing investment. However, the economy is projected to improve in 2024, with a forecast compound annual growth rate of 1.7% over 2023-2028. Furthermore, inflation…