Bulgaria

Men’s grooming in Bulgaria is evolving due to changing attitudes towards self-care with men investing in their personal appearance. In 2023, men’s grooming witnessed robust growth in current value terms driven mainly by unit price increases, while…

Tissue and hygiene in Bulgaria witnessed positive development in 2023, with high inflation bolstering sales especially in the second half of the year. Retail prices remained elevated and even saw some slight increases, as most producers grappled with…

Retail adult incontinence in Bulgaria continued to witness robust growth in 2023, both in retail volume and current value terms, supported by the ageing population and growing urological problems. Rising demand was due mainly to an expansion of the…

Home products specialists in Bulgaria registered current value growth in 2023, though constant value sales fell. Inflation was still an issue and impacted profitability. That being said, it was homewares and home furnishing stores that dragged down…

In 2023, street stalls/kiosks continue to rebound from the steep sales declines seen at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Strong double-digit value growth is further supported by rising unit prices and the impact of inflation. The market has already…

With inflation still being an issue, though apparel and footwear specialists in Bulgaria registered an increase in current value sales, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut into profit margins. There was also a slight decline in…

Energy drinks benefits from constant innovation and improved distribution. Producers are challenging traditional perceptions of energy drinks by introducing sugar-free variants and incorporating healthier ingredients like fruit juice, green tea or…

Sweet spreads in Bulgaria saw an increase in both volume and value, driven by the gradual process of inflation stabilisation and further price hikes in the first quarter of the year. However, the category that continued to experience a decline was…

The consumption of cheese rose marginally in 2023 after two years of decline caused by a shift back towards out-of-home entertaining and travelling in the post-pandemic era. Foodservice sales grew significantly and are exceeding pre-pandemic levels…

In 2023, most baby food subcategories continue to show positive growth, both in retail volume and current value terms. Despite the country’s declining birth rate, there is growing demand for specialised baby food among Bulgarian mothers, with mothers…

Retail volume sales growth for snacks in Bulgaria in 2023 is expected to be down slightly from 2022. The same is true of growth in retail current value sales, though most categories look set to record stronger performances in this regard than in…

With high inflation still driving up production costs and unit prices, ice cream in Bulgaria is set to register faster growth in retail current value sales than retail volume sales in 2023. Demand has remained fairly robust despite falling purchasing…

Despite continuing high inflation, performance for health and beauty specialists in Bulgaria was stable, with constant value sales rising slightly. There was also further opening of outlets. Value sales through pharmacies continued to account for…

Carbonates in Bulgaria is witnessing notable shifts in 2023 due to persistent inflationary pressures impacting consumer spending habits. The rising cost of living has led consumers to curtail expenditure on non-essential goods, fostering a heightened…

In 2023, beauty and personal care in Bulgaria performed noticeably better than in 2022. The relatively high inflation, especially in the first half of the year, led to significant growth in current value terms, with double-digit increases across most…

Performance was muted in 2023 for appliances and electronic specialists in Bulgaria, with minimal current value growth, and constant value sales falling. Continuing rising prices cut into profit margins and reduced consumers’ purchasing power. As…

Although a relatively small category in Bulgaria, breakfast cereals is reporting solid growth in retail volume and current value terms in 2023, due to the rising importance of health. Players are keen to develop healthier options, as with Dr Oetker's…

The maturity of the market in Bulgaria implies that most potential customers are already using or have easy access to eye care products, reaching a saturation point in terms of penetration. This situation can lead to intensified competition among…

The sedentary lifestyles that are prevalent in Bulgaria significantly impact the market for dermatological products. A lack of physical activity often goes hand in hand with prolonged periods of sitting indoors, which can lead to reduced exposure to…

In 2023, chilled dairy desserts and chilled snacks started to see consumption recover after the previous year’s decline, whilst other categories remain in decline. Current value growth was driven by further inflation and price growth, especially at…

The cost of a typical day in the sun on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast – the area that makes up what is now known as the fast-growing Bulgarian Riviera – remains far cheaper than most of its rival European resorts. This makes Bulgaria very attractive…

Although inflationary pressures in Bulgaria have eased somewhat since the start of the year, rising prices and falling purchasing power mean growth in sugar confectionery retail volume sales in 2023 looks set to be down slightly from 2022 and remain…

Recent checks by media and consumer organisations have shown certain types of chocolate confectionery – such as luxury boxed assortments and tablets – cost considerably more in Bulgaria than in other European countries where living standards are much…

Premium beauty and personal care recorded a strong performance in 2023, despite the high inflation and economic instability in the country. Bulgarian consumers showed an increased interest in premium products, with strong double-digit value growth in…

Rising consumer awareness of the importance of proper skin care for babies and children, especially in rural areas, has led to an increase in demand for baby and child-specific skin care products in Bulgaria. Overall, this was the best performing…

Post-COVID-19, as travel and work activities resumed, there was a rebound in off-trade impulse consumption and demand for RTD coffee, leading to strong retail volume growth in 2022, albeit from a relatively low base. Such positive growth continues in…

Bottled water overall benefits from strong health and wellness trends, with consumers increasingly opting for bottled water's simple hydration and refreshment, particularly in restaurants. The category is rising steadily among health-conscious…

The consumption of edible oils in Bulgaria is experiencing a decline in 2023, primarily attributable to a significant drop in olive oil sales. This decline is a consequence of turbulent climate conditions in Spain and Italy, which have had a profound…

The return to outdoor activities in Bulgaria following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the end of home seclusion have had a positive impact on sales of wound care products. As people re-engage in various outdoor pursuits such as sports,…

The sports nutrition category has seen international brands, such as Post Holdings Inc, Optimum Nutrition Inc, and Pure Nutrition Technology, establish strong positions in the Bulgarian market. International brands typically offer a wide range of…

In 2023, the consumer health market in Bulgaria is set to see steady current value growth, with sales set to continue to fall at constant 2023 prices, though at a slower rate than in the previous year in both cases. Consumer preferences are shifting…

In response to rising prices and decreasing incomes, Bulgarian consumers are increasingly favouring local tea brands over international ones. This preference is driven by the perception that local brands offer higher quality at more affordable…

Sports drinks in Bulgaria is recording strong and stable growth in 2023, propelled by an increasing interest in outdoor sports and physical exercise, and a growing number of gyms. Alongside physical activity trends, there is a heightened awareness of…

The demands of busy and stressful lifestyles in Bulgaria have given rise to a significant increase in the demand for sleep aids. As modern life becomes increasingly fast-paced and work-related pressures intensify, many individuals find themselves…

Tourism flows have rebounded strongly during the post-COVID-19 recovery of travel and tourism in Bulgaria, with no travel restrictions being in place in 2022 or 2023. Leading scheduled, low cost and charter airlines have also increased their number…

Growth in retail volume sales of gum in Bulgaria in 2023 looks set to surpass that recorded in 2022, with chewing gum and bubble gum both projected to register improved results in this respect. This is mainly explained by the fact that consumption is…

100% juice is posting stable growth in Bulgaria in 2023, maintaining popularity due to its perceived freshness, nutritional value and alignment with health and wellness trends. Despite this, its growth potential is somewhat hampered by ongoing…

The hot drinks market in Bulgaria in 2023 is significantly influenced by the cost-of-living crisis. With an inflation rate among the highest in the EU, Bulgarian consumers are experiencing squeezed disposable incomes and escalating grocery product…

In Bulgaria, liquid concentrates have emerged as a cost-effective option for soft drink preparation amid tightened household budgets. This shift towards more affordable alternatives has temporarily slowed the category's decline. However, concentrates…

Marketers are increasingly focusing on educating consumers about digestive health, utilising both traditional and digital platforms. Given the sensitive nature of digestive health issues, campaigns are designed to be empathetic and non-intrusive.…

The National Statistical Office and the Ministry of Tourism data suggest a significant increase in tourism flows as the post-COVID-19 recovery of travel and tourism in Bulgaria continues. There are no remaining active travel restrictions in place…

Lodging suffered significantly during the pandemic with the number of room nights booked and value sales dropping dramatically. Nonetheless, most lodging establishments and hotels managed to endure the crisis although many have been financially…

With its very low tax burden and strong state finances, Bulgaria enjoys economic freedom, although political instability has been common. High inflation is adversely affecting the economy, but joblessness remains low. Although skills shortages are…

Overall retail volume sales growth for savoury snacks in 2023 is set to be slower than in 2022, primarily because high inflation has continued to erode purchasing power among Bulgarians and drive up unit prices. The downturn is also explained by the…

The economy segment of cigars and cigarillos in Bulgaria has been most heavily impacted by the rising cost of living and high rate of inflation in 2023. The large consumer base of cigar and cigarillo smokers are switching to cheaper alternatives,…

Mass beauty and personal care in Bulgaria registered a positive performance in 2023. Whilst price increases fuelled some of this growth, the increased demand for more affordable products was also a factor as inflation remained stubbornly high. This…

Driven by rising unit prices and strong inflationary pressure, consumer foodservice continued to record double-digit value growth in 2023. The performance varied depending on the location; however, all categories managed to grow at a similar rate and…

RTD tea in Bulgaria faces a significant challenge due to its seasonality, with consumption predominantly occurring during the summer months. To address this, producers are introducing new flavour ranges not typically associated with summer, such as…

The consumption of baked goods declined in 2023 as bread sales continue to follow the negative trend seen in the review period. Per capita growth in bread is limited due to Bulgaria’s declining population, which is falling well ahead of other…

Passenger numbers have continued to recover in 2023, albeit failing to achieve pre-pandemic levels. Although there are no longer any COVID-19 related travel restrictions still in place which could impede travel, including airline travel, there are…