United Kingdom

Vending in the UK was significantly disrupted by the pandemic as vending machines predominantly target closed sites such as academic institutions, hospitals and businesses, which also experienced a substantial decrease in footfall. The channel fully…

Despite increased competition from discounters and warehouse clubs, which offer low-cost products appealing to the elevated number of price-sensitive consumers in 2023, hypermarkets in the UK maintained positive sales growth. Amid the cost-of-living…

2023 presented quite a mixed picture for the cannabis industry in the UK. While growth continued, there was also a modification regarding the future expectations of development within the local market. In CBD & other non-intoxicating cannabinoids,…

Supermarkets in the UK was the only grocery retail channel in 2022 to witness value sales decline, in a year characterised by soaring food prices, skyrocketing cost of utilities, high inflation, and a cost-of-living crisis, which all contributed to a…

Due to high inflation towards the end of the review period, resulting in elevated prices of goods and services, consumers became increasingly price conscious, supporting the second consecutive year of value growth for discounters in the UK. As…

Demand for polishes in the UK continued to decline in 2023, in line with the category’s general pre-pandemic trend. The ongoing decline continues to be exacerbated by greater mobility outside of the home, as consumers spend more time in the office or…

The shift in consumer preference towards preferring experiences, and products that provide experiences, such as travelling, or purchasing a home, rather than owning things, is continuing to have a negative impact on sales of jewellery in the UK.…

Dishwashing in the UK recorded strong single-digit value growth in current terms in 2023, owing to the continued dynamic performance of automatic dishwashing tablets. The latter’s growth is mainly because using a dishwasher is deemed more convenient,…

In 2023, soaring inflation rates, an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, low consumer confidence and limited spending subdued the retail industry in the UK. Consumers continued to downgrade product purchases to mitigate the negative effects of the…

Bleach continued to register declining retail volume sales in 2023, with overall demand falling in comparison to previous years, as UK consumers are favouring multipurpose cleaners with disinfectant properties. Due to the cost-of-living crisis,…

Wipes in the UK grew by 9% in current value terms in 2023, with all types recording a positive performance except for toilet care wipes and deodorant wipes as a result of low volume demand. While overall value growth was sustained by demand for some…

Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, local consumers turned to direct selling in the UK as a way to augment their household earnings. Data released by the UK’s Direct Selling Association (DSA) revealed a significant surge in the number of people…

Inflationary pressures in 2023 marginally eased when compared to the previous year, but continued to exert strong influence on demand for retail tissue in the UK. Sales mostly rebounded in the second half of 2023, although not sufficiently to avoid…

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…

In 2023, inflation was once again the major factor impacting the performance of tissue and hygiene in the UK. Both retail tissue and retail hygiene experienced high single-digit value growth in 2023, mainly propelled by the high inflationary…

The pandemic increased consumers’ hygiene awareness, leading to a surge in sales of surface care in 2020, when COVID-19 first emerged. Demand for surface care has continued to be strong since, with 2023 seeing higher sales than pre-pandemic levels,…

While demand for home care continued to decline marginally in 2023, overall retail volume sales remained above pre-pandemic levels, as certain habits have persisted in the UK. The explanation for this decline is two-fold: greater mobility has seen…