United Kingdom

Retail adult incontinence in the UK continued to record a dynamic performance in 2023. Overall demand for these products was based on several different factors, such as an ageing consumer base, increasing awareness, and greater availability in terms…

Nappies/diapers/pants in the UK experienced positive retail volume growth in 2023 across the category. These products are deemed essential, ensuring stable demand, despite prices soaring. However, with birth rates in the UK gradually falling, growth…

Menstrual care in the UK experienced growth in both volume and value terms in 2023. Continuing on from its strong performance in 2022, the category’s current value growth in high single digits was only marginally below the previous year. As inflation…

Self-service cafeterias continued to record a positive performance in terms of value sales and transactions in 2023, despite the closure of some chained outlets, such as House of Fraser and Asda. Self-service cafeterias continued to experience a…

As with many other alcoholic drinks categories, total volume sales of cider/perry in the UK marginally declined in 2023. Cider/perry in the off-trade channel is quite mature, and following a boost from pandemic-related restrictions, demand continued…

Skin care in the UK experienced solid growth in both value and volume terms in 2023, as unit price rises were accompanied by a growing consumer appetite for skin care products. This was a shift away from 2022 when the category experienced a marginal…

Men’s grooming in the UK recorded a second consecutive year of positive volume growth in 2023 due to greater mobility outside of the home and local consumers becoming increasingly open to experimenting with their grooming habits. On the other hand,…

Flexible plastic accounts for the greatest pack type share in baby food packaging in the UK. This low-cost, compact pack type is ideal for small, convenient baby food packages, particularly in categories such as “other baby food”. This category…

Persistent challenges of inflation and ongoing supply chain disruptions that characterised 2023 are still being observed in pet care in the UK, although unit price growth is starting to slow. Multinational pet food companies face ongoing obstacles…

Demand for home insecticides in the UK remained relatively stable in 2023, but very undynamic, as many of these products are considered to be of relatively little importance to consumers. Home insecticides are very season-dependent, as flying insects…

2023 was a negative year for sugar confectionery in the UK. Heightened costs across the supply chain, including transportation, energy, labour and raw materials such as sugar, resulted in double-digit price increases for the category. Inflationary…

Following a period where inflation reached an historic 40-year high in 2023, the average unit price of chocolate confectionery in the UK increased by double digits. The heightened costs across the supply chain, including transportation, energy,…

Toy and games in the UK recorded solid current value growth in 2023. Value growth for traditional toys and games was higher than the previous year, while video games returned to its positive trajectory following a marginal downturn in 2022 as demand…

Hair care recorded another year of solid current value growth in 2023, but this was predominantly driven by unit price increases, as established products such as standard shampoos and 2-in-1 products contracted in volume terms. Diminishing interest…

Pet products in the UK continues to be challenged, experiencing slow positive value growth driven by inflation. Pet owners remain reluctant to invest in discretionary pet products, caused by the enduring impact of inflationary pressures. This is…

In 2023, full-service restaurants were able to open without any related pandemic restrictions, with COVID-19 no longer a major concern for local consumers. However, extremely high operating costs amid the cost-of-living crisis meant that any ongoing…

The return to normal life following COVID-19 is anticipated to continue benefiting writing instruments in 2023, particularly due to the return of regular school attendance. For instance, products such as ball point pens, and especially markers and…

Personal accessories is anticipated to keep expanding in retail volume terms in the UK in 2023, due to continued indulgence amongst consumers in the country, as well as the resurgence and growth of inbound tourism. While sales are also anticipated to…

The global supply chain crisis has heavily affected savoury snacks in the UK, as the category has experienced consecutive years of strong price increases. Adding to the inflationary environment in 2022, savoury snacks recorded even stronger…

Oral care in the UK continued to expand in both volume and value growth terms in 2023. The rising number of local consumers taking care of their oral health at home was one of the main drivers of this growth. Another contributing factor to this trend…