Western Europe

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…

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…

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…

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…

Retail value sales of home improvement fell in 2023. Moreover, in Switzerland, fitted carpets have long been unpopular and considered cheap due to their association with nail strip installation. However, unlike the contraction experienced in the…

Wall covering saw significant growth in the Netherlands in 2023 in current value terms. Demand rose as many people continued to focus on making home improvements, with changing wall coverings seen to be an effective and affordable way to achieve…

Homewares saw stable growth in current value terms in 2023, buoyed by several contributing factors. Italy’s expanding middle class and increasing urbanisation have led to a growing demand for homewares as more people seek to create comfortable and…

Amidst rising prices and living costs, Swiss consumers are prioritising essentials and in-home activities, leading to a slight uptick in demand for homewares sales in 2023. Known for enjoying socialising over meals and cherishing family time, they…

Cookware experienced steady if unspectacular growth in 2023 due to the increasing trend of home cooking and dining. Although this trend has slowed since the end of the pandemic it still continued to fuel demand for high-quality cookware products as…

The briefing explores trends in the global structure amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. As global economy evolves, countries and companies will need to find ways to diversify the supply of critical components. This will require…

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits. 

Cigarettes in Italy continued to decline in volume terms in 2023, as the number of cigarette smokers diminish. At the same time, the rising tax on cigarettes is pushing up prices, supporting value sales but also acting as a deterrent to cigarette…

Sales in cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco in Italy were supported by the positive performance of smoking tobacco in 2023. Indeed, smoking tobacco managed to achieve positive volume sales, as well as value sales, due to such products offering a…

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits.

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits.

In 2023, Belgium ranked sixth among Western European countries for average gross income. Over the year, the country’s per capita disposable incomes slightly increased, supported by the country’s wage indexation system. Per capita disposable income is…

Smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco was the winning category in Italy in 2023, seeing good volume and value sales. However, we note the absence of moist snuff, chewing tobacco, and smokeless tobacco, thus, the category consists of…

Tobacco in Italy in 2023 continued to perform well in value terms, despite rising costs caused by inflationary pressures, reduced disposable consumer incomes, and various measures taken to curb the practice of smoking overall. In fact, was something…

STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) toys remained highly popular within traditional toys and games in Sweden in 2023. This surge in popularity has been driven by parents seeking educational alternatives to screen time. Integration of…

Traditional toys and games continued to see steady growth in current value terms in 2023 with consumers remaining willing to invest in gifts and treats for their children despite the challenging economic situation. When it came to the purchasing…