Eastern Europe

With the pandemic being declared over by the World Health Organisation in early 2023 most consumers have now returned to their old lifestyles and behaviour. The rising mobility of the population has helped to drive strong demand for wireless speakers…

Portable players continue to grow in Czech Republic, although retail volume sales are driven exclusively by wireless speakers. E-readers continued to be substituted with smartphones and tablets, with volume sales continuing to decline. Czech…

In January 2023, the previously separate pockets - accommodation, hospitality and leisure - were consolidated; therefore, the charges associated with these sectors are now aggregated and considered together. Also, in order to expedite the use of…

Against the backdrop of double-digit inflation in Poland, employees are increasingly interested in non-wage benefits that can help mitigate the rising cost of living. Many companies are responding to this pressing need by expanding the range of…

Pre-paid cards are experiencing significant growth in 2023, encompassing a surge in the number of cards in circulation, the volume of transactions, and their overall value. This surge is primarily attributed to the remarkable growth potential…

Pre-paid cards continued to perform well in 2023, with the number of cards in circulation rising steadily and transaction values registering double-digit growth. Digital solutions are performing well in pre-paid cards with Revolut, for example, using…

Value sales of premium and luxury cars grew by 8% to total PLN25 billion in 2023 due to rising demand from higher-income consumers, with expenditure proving resilient despite wider macroeconomic headwinds. Premium and luxury cars offer exceptional…

Retail current value sales of premium and luxury cars rose by 3% in 2023 to reach RON4.3 billion, aided by augmented demand from affluent buyers despite macroeconomic challenges. Wealth determines the degree of demand that exists for premium and…

Premium beauty and personal care continued to advance sales and has faced uninterrupted growth since the COVID-19 pandemic. Significant unit price increases have fuelled sales as inflation remains stubbornly high in Bosnia and Herzegovina.…

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…

The long-term premiumisation trend continued to have an influence on sales across numerous categories of beauty and personal care during 2023. The segment of the local population that can easily afford premium products remains quite small, although…

In 2023, the premium beauty and personal care landscape in Estonia showcased strong growth, with retail value growth above mass beauty and personal care products. As consumers become increasingly educated about the ingredients in skin care, premium…

With inflation easing in 2023, premium beauty and personal care in Georgia performed well, registering higher value growth than mass. Increasing numbers of tourists, as well as newly-arrived Russian immigrants also contributed to growth. That being…

Premium beauty and personal care saw dynamic growth in current value terms in 2023 despite the challenging economic environment and soaring inflation. Consumers of premium beauty personal care products were more accepting of price increases due to a…

The premium segment represents a relatively small proportion of beauty and personal care in Latvia. Nonetheless, in value terms, premium products are growing at almost twice the pace of mass products. Consumer preferences for premium products is well…

In 2023, premium beauty and personal care sales recorded very strong double-digit retail value growth, with purchasing power improving compared to the previous year. In the ongoing pandemic aftermath, many consumers were keen to treat themselves to…

Performance was muted for premium beauty and personal care in North Macedonia in 2023. Inflation continued to be high and rising costs hit profit margins. With this backdrop, current value sales of premium beauty and personal care products increased…

Premium beauty and personal care saw another year of dynamic double-digit current value growth in Poland in 2023, although from a lower base than the mass segment. The momentum of the premium segment was higher than the mass segment, and in fact…

Premium beauty and personal care experienced a third year of double-digit current value growth in Romania in 2023; albeit at a lower rate than seen in the previous two years. This continued strong performance was tied to the loyalty consumers often…

Premium beauty and personal care in Serbia continued its impressive ascent in 2023, characterised by stable double-digit growth in retail value sales. This upward trajectory was predominantly underpinned by a strategic price increase strategy adopted…