Market research on consumer products, commercial industries, demo...
Market research on consumer products, commercial industries, demographics trends and consumer lifestyles in Bulgaria. Includes comprehensive data and analysis, tables and charts, with five-year forecasts.
Yoghurt and sour milk products decreased slightly in 2023 as inflation pushed up retail prices and the declining population trend reduced potential consumers. At the same time, current value sales were slightly positive based on higher unit prices,…
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,…
Wipes in Bulgaria increased in retail volume and current value terms in 2023, as the category is still relatively new and has strong growth potential. A stronger emphasis on hygiene has occurred since the COVID-19 pandemic, with categories like wet…
Wine in Bulgaria continued to enjoy buoyant retail volume growth, underpinned by the recovery of on-trade sales following the pandemic. However, wine consumption through the on-trade still remained below 2019 levels as inflationary conditions and…
Social media has become a powerful influence in the market for weight management and wellbeing products in Bulgaria. These platforms, which include Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and especially TikTok, provide consumers with access to videos promoting…
Consumers in Bulgaria are becoming more health conscious, seeking ways to boost their immune systems, improve their energy levels, and maintain general wellbeing. Already prominent prior to the pandemic, the health and wellness trend received a…
Vending in Bulgaria performed strongly in 2023, registering double-digit value growth, as well an increase in constant value sales, despite continuing high inflation. Convenience and on-the-go consumption drove consumer demand. While hot and soft…
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…
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…
Toilet care in Bulgaria saw positive development in 2023, with double-digit retail value growth and a retail volume rise in areas such as rim block and toilet liquids/foams. In addition, all product areas recorded positive retail value growth, driven…
Tobacco in Bulgaria witnessed robust growth in 2023, with retail volume growth driven largely by the growing appeal of alternative products in the form of e-vapour products and heated tobacco. Cigarette smoking remains very popular due to its low…
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…
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…
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…
While the contraction will be less severe than in 2022, sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is poised to record a negative result in overall retail volume sales terms for a second consecutive year in 2023. This is mainly because Bulgarians…
Surface care in Bulgaria continued to decline in retail volume in 2023, much of which is the consequence of the category's unusual growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, sales are declining in comparison as usage returns to pre-pandemic…
Supermarkets in Bulgaria registered current value growth, though constant value sales fell. Inflation was still an issue and impacted profitability. That being said, supermarkets are the largest modern grocery retailer in terms of value sales, with…
Sun care in Bulgaria was hard hit during the pandemic when travel all but stopped in the country. Bulgarian consumers do not use sun protection all year round, with usage mainly concentrated during the summer season when citizens take holidays and…
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…
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…
Staple foods continues to witness positive growth in 2023, in current value terms, due to high inflation and elevated retail prices. The consumption of staple foods has slowed, resulting in a slight decrease in retail volume sales for the full year.…
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…
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…
In 2023, the consumption of spirits in Bulgaria increased with volume sales rising well in on-trade venues but declining marginally in retailers. Current value growth was fuelled by price rises after a long period of stability. Nevertheless, the…
The soft drinks market in Bulgaria in 2023 is experiencing transformative changes in response to economic factors and evolving consumer preferences. Inflationary pressures are notably impacting price growth and disposable incomes, leading consumers…
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…
Smokeless tobacco, heated tobacco and e-vapour products in Bulgaria posted dynamic growth despite rising unit prices across all categories. The growing popularity of such products has led to higher excise duty on e-liquids and nicotine free liquids,…
Inflation was still an issue in 2023 for small local grocers in Bulgaria, though growth eased. As such, though current value sales rose, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut profit margins. There was also minimal openings of new…
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…
In 2023, skin care in Bulgaria witnessed robust double-digit growth in current value terms, mainly driven by unit price increase. However, volume sales also made steady gains thanks to the growing popularity of products targeting specific skin…
Boosted by significant price hikes and the inflation, self-service cafeterias is achieving very strong value growth as consumer demand continues to recover following the COVID-19 pandemic. As no further pandemic-related restrictions have been…
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…
Sauces, dips, and condiments in Bulgaria witnessed a slight decline in volume due to an increase in people's out-of-home activities. Furthermore, the consumption of non-essential foods like sauces decreased as a result of the sustained high prices…
RTDs in Bulgaria witnessed another strong year of recovery in 2023, although this category is still growing from a small base. The re-activation of social lifestyles, people gatherings, festivals and other social occasions underpinned demand. Volume…
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…
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…
The rice, pasta and noodles category in Bulgaria remained flat in 2023, with only a marginal decline in retail volume sales. Rice continues to be the most significant category, both in value and volume sales, since it has a highly versatile…
Volume sales of retail tissue in Bulgaria declined in 2023 due to weaker demand for napkins, boxed facial tissues and toilet paper, although for differing reasons. Napkins are not only considered less essential, but consumers were put off by price…
High inflation continued to impact retail in Bulgaria in 2023, though growth in retail prices did ease. As such, though current value sales increased, there was a fall in constant value sales, as continuing rising costs hit profit margins, and also…
High inflation impacted retail e-commerce in Bulgaria in 2023. As such, though retail e-commerce registered high current value growth, constant value sales fell. Consumers cut back on spending on less essential items and this impacted e-commerce.…
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…
Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat reported slightly negative volume growth in 2023, due to the decline in demand for chilled processed red meat and frozen processed red meat and seafood, which are mainly sold in bulk over the counter.…
The consumption of processed fruit and vegetables in Bulgaria increased slightly in 2023, mainly due to the growing need for convenience amid busier lifestyles and rising urbanization. Furthermore, the growing number of people living alone is driving…
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…
Polishes in Bulgaria continued to lose retail volume sales in 2023. As rising prices impacted consumers' budgets, many adjusted their spending, focusing on essentials. Many consumers do not consider polishes essential, with consumers removing the…
In 2023, plant-based dairy continues to enjoy healthy growth in Bulgaria, both in retail volume and current value terms. Plant-based products were less affected by the previous year’s inflation than the dairy category, as they are generally consumed…
The Bulgarian pet products category is expected to grow in 2024 in value terms. Growth will mainly be based on the growing interest and knowledge in caring about pet health, hygiene, wellness and entertainment. Pet humanisation is also ongoing while…
Sales of pet care in Bulgaria continued to grow based on the potential of prepared food due to its current low share. Dog and cat food remained the main growth driver of the pet care market as dogs and cats continued to be the main pet population in…
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…
Parental preference for child-specific consumer health products is a progressively growing trend in Bulgaria, reflecting a strong desire for products tailored to the unique needs and sensitivities of children, in contrast to the more traditional…