Eastern Europe

Increasing authoritarianism and corruption are resulting in mass protests, although fiscal discipline is leading to better state finances. Economic momentum is slowing, owing to high inflation and reduced external demand, but foreign investment…

Although Slovenia has been beset by political instability and corruption remains an issue, its economic freedom is one of the best in Eastern Europe. However, the economy is slowing, as inflation is elevated, whilst its highly open nature exposes its…

In 2022, packaging in Poland was becoming increasingly influenced again by pre-pandemic lifestyles and practices. For example, sugar confectionery experienced a significant shift towards smaller packaging options. The more compact sizes helped to…

In 2022, Romania’s packaging industry witnessed dynamic shifts influenced by economic challenges and consumer preferences. Larger pack sizes became the preferred choice across a variety of categories, offering consumers economic advantages amid…

After peaking in 2024, Slovakia’s population is set to decline up to 2040, driven by natural decrease. Ageing will remain a key demographic theme as longevity climbs and birth rates drop overall, impacting consumer trends and putting more pressure on…

Poland has become a strategic powerhouse for FMCG industries in Eastern Europe in the past two decades, and especially during the current geopolitical climate. The cannabis market is still in its infancy in Poland; however, a range of factors sets a…

In 2023, cafés/bars continue to recover from the significant declines recorded in the channel at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, recording strong double-digit value growth in the year. Growth can be attributed to the growing interest…

At the start of 2023, operators of cafés/bars were in an upbeat mood as 2022 had delivered relatively good results despite soaring energy prices and costs. The prolonged high levels of inflation and diminishing consumer purchasing power proved…

The total elimination of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 continued to impact results in 2023, with socialising driving visits to bars and cafés. However, inflation remained high in 2023, and while sales increased, there were reduced growth rates for…

Bars/pubs registered very healthy double-digit constant value growth in 2023, in spite of high inflation. There were also a significant number of openings. The introduction of a permanent reduced 10% VAT rate bolstered the sector. That being said,…

Bars/pubs in the Czech Republic saw growth in transactions and current value sales slow sharply in 2023 as inflationary pressures continued to drive up alcoholic drinks prices and weaken purchasing power among consumers. Because it is much cheaper to…

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…

The year 2023 marked the first complete year without any significant COVID-19 restrictions or social constraints. Locals compensated for the long absence of social gatherings, entertainment and events by spending more time outside of the house. This…

Consumer foodservice through stand-alone saw a double-digit value sales increase in 2023. The domination of stand-alone is the strong, long tradition of opening stand-alone locations in the country. The scarcity of large retail malls, leisure areas,…

Retail locations registered the highest value growth, as retail locations continue to be sought after locations, due to their high footfall. Also, in 2023, the Eurovea shopping centre in Bratislava expanded its food hall and it is now the largest…

The Czech foodservice market saw growing numbers of operators in standalone locations downsize to smaller outlets in 2023. Most visible among independents, this trend was partly explained by the desire to reduce overheads and maintain or improve…

Most consumer foodservice categories in Bulgaria have either recovered or are nearing full recovery in 2023. With no movement or travel restrictions, despite new COVID-19 variants, the market could continue to develop uninterrupted in the year. The…

The high rate of inflation remained a topic of great concern to consumers and business owners in 2023, with Hungary recording one of the highest rates seen in the EU. Consumer foodservice outlets have been challenged with managing higher expenses for…

The positive performance of consumer foodservice in 2023 was driven by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in March 2022. However, high inflation was seen from the last quarter of 2022, coinciding with rising consumption of heat, gas and electricity…

While inflation remained high in 2023, government measures aimed at protecting the hospitality sector benefitted consumer foodservice. In particular, the reduced 10% VAT rate (from a previous 20%), which was introduced during the pandemic, was made…

Consumer foodservice in the Czech Republic saw growth in total current value sales and transactions slow sharply in 2023. This was partly explained the normalisation of demand following the impressive rebound that accompanied the easing of the…

In 2023, full-service restaurants continue to recover from the devastating losses registered during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, the strong double-digit value growth is largely the result of rising unit prices and inflation. For a growing number…

Operational and raw material costs have soared in 2022-2023, pushing up the average price of meals prepared in full-service restaurants. The escalation in menu prices has often surpassed 30% in contrast to recent years. This price differential seen…

The results of full-service restaurants in 2023 were impacted by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, leading to a rise in eating out and consumers returning to the foodservice experience. However, high inflation continued to impact results,…

In spite of continuing high inflation, full service restaurants registered double-digit constant value growth. The announcement that the reduced 10% VAT rate, which was introduced during the pandemic, was going to be permanent, boosted the sector.…

In keeping with the trend evident across the wider Czech foodservice market, full-service restaurants experienced a dramatic slowdown in current value sales and transactions in 2023 as soaring inflation continued to place upward pressure on menu…

With no pandemic-related movement and travel restrictions mandated by the government, foodservice continues to recover in 2023. Limited-services restaurants, in particular, are recording strong value growth as a result of strong and renewed consumer…

Soaring inflation pushed menu prices in limited-service restaurants to new highs in 2023, although operators are always careful when considering price adjustments, especially for their signature meals. Core target audiences, such as students and…

The positive performance of limited-service restaurants in 2023 was aided by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in March 2022, allowing limited-service restaurants to appeal through the convenience they provide. In addition, the high cost of living…

While inflation remained high in 2023, government measures aimed at protecting the hospitality sector benefitted limited-service restaurants. In particular, the reduced 10% VAT rate (from a previous 20%), which was introduced during the pandemic, was…

Current value and transaction growth rates for limited-service restaurants in the Czech Republic in 2023 were down substantially on the previous two years. This was partly due to the stabilisation of consumption patterns following a post-pandemic…

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…

Self-service cafeterias made price adjustments of between 20-30% during 2023, as soaring inflation pushed up the costs of vital ingredients, such as meat and pasta. Simultaneously, heightened labour and energy costs further contributed to this…

The dynamics of self-service cafeterias in 2023 were impacted by the lifting of COVID-19 restriction in 2022, with consumers returning to office work. As such, office employees were the main customers of self-service cafeterias, which offer cooked…

On the one hand, self-service cafeterias benefited from their competitive prices in 2023, with consumers being highly price sensitive consumers in face of continuing high inflation. As daily menu prices increased in restaurants, some consumers…

Because self-service cafeterias have a comparatively affordable positioning and are perceived to offer good value for money, this category was not as negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis as some other areas of the Czech foodservice market…

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…

Street stalls/kiosks run by entrepreneurs and small businesses were among the most vulnerable players within consumer foodservice in 2023. The sales performance of street stalls/kiosks is highly dependent on changing traffic patterns, the weather and…

The value sales increase for street stalls/kiosks was the consequence of increased mobility, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. Players benefited from high footfall, with street stalls/kiosks being a popular option for purchasing…

With inflation continuing to be high in 2023, street foods/kiosks were a popular choice, as such offerings tends to be more economical than other foodservice options. Street stall operators do not have the same expenses in terms of rent etc and…

Though not immune from the cost-of-living crisis, street stalls/kiosks was among the categories that profited most in 2023 as rising prices and falling disposable incomes made Czech consumers more inclined to favour cheaper foodservice options. It…

Depopulation in Bulgaria in 2021-2040 will be driven by natural decrease, but negative net migration in most years will also contribute. Ageing is set to accelerate with Bulgaria remaining among the top three oldest regional countries, thus impacting…

Most air care subcategories performed positively in retail volume and value terms in 2023 due to consumers' growing desire for a cosy atmosphere and a pleasant home ambience. However, the increase of the landscape related to home air care - such as…

Candle and electric air fresheners became increasingly popular among Czech consumers in 2023, as many looked for cheap but highly convenient products. This helped air care to record positive retail volume growth during a time of rising price points.…

Bleach in Bulgaria recorded a significant decline in retail volume in 2023. Much of this was due to the uplift in growth seen during COVID-19, with consumers looking for strong, powerful, effective cleaners that were also affordable. Despite the…

Retail value sales recorded a double-digit increase in 2023, linked to rising inflation and high price points. However, the price increases caused consumers to adjust their budgets, having less disposable income to spend on products. As such, while…

Many areas in dishwashing developed positively in 2023, with value growth driven by rising inflation and increased price points. Retail volume growth was positive in automatic dishwashing liquid and tablets, driven by the growing need for convenience…

Retail value sales recorded double-digit growth in 2023, aligned with rising inflation and higher price points. However, due to increased prices, retail volume sales struggled, leading automatic dishwashing tablets to be the only area to record…

Retail value growth was positive for home care in Bulgaria in 2023, supported by rising price points and ongoing inflation. As such, while retail value sales rose, retail volume was challenged, with declining disposable budgets impacting consumers…

Retail value sales in home care recorded strong growth in 2023; the result of rising inflation and significant price increases in the Czech Republic. As such, while retail value sales were positive, retail volume was challenged as consumers'…