Eastern Europe

Over recent years, second-hand shopping gained global traction, primarily among Gen Z. This trend has now transcended demographics, notably appealing to parents of small children. With Poland's ongoing cost of living crisis and the rapid growth of…

The prevailing inflationary pressures in Poland have wielded a substantial influence over apparel and footwear in 2023. Escalating living costs have prompted a gradual shift among Polish consumers towards more affordable brands and private label. As…

Recent fashion aesthetics like 'Old Money' and 'Quiet Luxury' have spurred a surge in demand for classic accessories such as hats/berets, belts, and silk scarves. In 2023, these categories exhibited substantial growth rates, reflecting the evolving…

The biggest story in staple foods in Ukraine in 2023 was that all sales in all categories were still being significantly impacted by the ongoing war that rages in many parts of the country as well as high inflation due to the collapsing exchange…

In 2023, despite a stabilisation in the unit price growth of staple foods, the purchasing power of Slovaks failed to recover. Factors such as higher interest rates, rising oil prices, and more expensive services continued to significantly limit their…

In the backdrop of sustained high inflation in Romania in 2023, the resulting high cost of living significantly impacted the retail sales of basic food products, defining the landscape for staple foods during the same year. Analysis of statistics and…

In 2023, the Polish government implemented new regulations aimed at supporting bakeries and pastry shops amid escalating gas prices. Effective from April 7, these regulations broadened the eligibility criteria for purchasing gas at a regulated price…

Overall retail volume sales of staple foods in Hungary are set to decline for a third consecutive year in 2023, with the contraction projected to be slightly deeper than that recorded in 2022. Demand continues to be depressed by rapidly rising prices…

Staple foods has benefited from the slowdown in retail price inflation in 2023, supporting solid volume growth in 2023. This followed a challenging period in 2022 attributed to geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic challenges, which led to elevated…

In 2023, demand for staple foods has recovered slightly after several years of decline. Retail volume sales was under pressure for much of the review period, due to surging production costs and rising inflation, which forced prices up. Although…

Pasta registered positive retail volume growth in 2023 as sales rebounded from the double-digit declines recorded in the category over the course of 2022. However, it should be noted that demand for pasta fell at a slower rate than in most other…

In 2023, rice, pasta, and noodles experienced above-average market performance, emerging as key product categories for budget-conscious consumers. The growing presence of flexitarians and vegans in the Slovak population positively impacted sales.…

The volume growth in the category in 2023 can be attributed to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, effectively putting an end to stockpiling behaviours during the pandemic. The convenience of easy cooking and the ability to store products for…

In 2023, rice, pasta, and noodles in Poland is gravitating towards convenience and innovative formats. This shift is in response to changing consumer preferences that increasingly value quick, easy-to-prepare options alongside nutritional benefits.

As is the case across staple foods in Hungary, unit prices in rice, pasta and noodles have continued to rise dramatically in 2023 amidst persistently high inflation resulting from the devaluation of the forint and factors linked to the global…

Dried pasta is seeing steady volume growth in 2023, as it is an important staple food within the Georgian diet. Unit price growth has slowed after the surge witnessed in 2022, when rising costs of grain and flour were a key concern. This moderation…

Chilled pasta is the fastest growing category in 2023, in volume and value terms. Consumers are drawn by the favourable ratio of price and cooking time, as chilled pasta only needs to be heated for a few minutes. This pasta option is popular among…

Spiralling energy costs have led many small local grocers in Hungary to reduce the amount of refrigeration and freezer space in their stores in 2023. The same trend has been observed among convenience stores chains like Coop, Real and CBA. As a…

Processed seafood recorded a favourable sales performance during 2023 as the category rebounded from the severe sales declines that were recorded over the course of 2022, the result of the Russian Federation’s invasion of Ukraine in February of that…

Chilled processed poultry is witnessing robust volume growth in 2023 due to changing consumer behaviour as inflation remains high. As household budgets are squeezed, Estonians are actively seeking out chilled processed poultry as it is a cheaper…