Belgium

Independent cafés/bars have traditionally played a key role in the Belgian consumer foodservice industry. Despite its quantitative relevance, the category witnessed a structural decline over the review period. Cafés/bars in Belgium comprises mostly ...

Foodservice through standalone locations generally continued to struggle in 2018, mostly due to a difficult environment for independent full-service and limited-service restaurants. On the other hand, travel and retail locations proved more ...

Following very difficult years in 2016 and 2017, when the category was adversely impacted by terrorist attacks, especially in Brussels, full-service restaurants continued to struggle in 2018. This was due to several factors. Firstly, the full ...

The majority of players in limited-service restaurants in 2018 were independent operators. Independent limited-service restaurants recorded only modest current value growth in 2018 as they faced both increasingly tight legislation and competition ...

Following a very difficult period for consumer foodservice in 2016 and part of 2017 due to both terrorist attacks and tightening legislation, the industry returned to growth in 2018. This was mainly down to two factors, namely premiumisation in key ...

Self-service cafeterias is a small category in Belgium, comprising only chained players. Despite the difficult environment, with strong competition from other foodservice categories, self-service cafeterias still offers growth potential. Its slight ...

The increasing popularity of online ordering and home delivery through both third-party players such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Takeaway and foodservice operators’ own websites has had a negative impact on street stalls/kiosks. Traditional formats, ...

Belgium’s economy will continue to grow modestly in 2019. Household spending will be propped up by recent wage-indexing measures and lower energy costs, while fixed investment will be driven by cheap financing and tighter industrial capacity. ...

AFH adult incontinence recorded rapid growth in 2018 as demand for adult incontinence protection increased significantly in Belgium due to population ageing. Homes for the elderly and healthcare institutions remain the largest source of demand for ...

Nappies/diapers/pants recorded a retail volume decline in Belgium in 2018, with demographic changes the main factor as the population under three years old declined. With fewer babies in the country, demand for nappies and diapers declined. In ...

Tissue and hygiene recorded a marginal retail value decline in 2018. Indeed, given that penetration rates are already optimal for most tissue and hygiene products, manufacturers and retailers used price promotions to protect or regain their shares. ...

Retail adult incontinence continued to record value growth in 2018. If the ageing population had a major and positive impact on retail adult incontinence in Belgium, mass media advertising also supported sales. The category also benefited from other ...

Retail tissue was under pressure, with declining volume and value sales in 2018. Indeed, as the penetration rate is at its maximum and stable, it is unlikely that consumer demand for toilet paper will fluctuate to any great extent and players lowered...

Belgians suffering from incurable incontinence can benefit from an allocation from the government. The patient must go to a general practitioner who, if they recognise the problem as an incurable disease, fills in a form to attest to the incurable ...

Sanitary protection recorded a marginal retail volume decline in 2018. Indeed, the demographics of Belgium, with an ageing population, means that more consumers are expected to have less need for sanitary protection as greater numbers of Belgian ...

Wipes have potential in Belgium as the penetration rate remains quite low. However, manufacturers are not really developing the category, with few product innovations or promotional campaigns aimed at attracting new consumers. As a result sales were ...

The implementation of the sugar tax in Belgium and increasing consumer awareness regarding the sugar content of non-alcoholic beverages had a very significant impact on the area in 2018. Consumer demand shifted towards low and no sugar beverages, ...

Despite rising consumer health awareness, better for you food sales are in decline in Belgium. Consumers are increasingly questioning the positive claims made by better for you products with respect to weight management. Indeed, for Belgian ...

FF energy drinks continued to lead fortified/functional beverages sales in Belgium in 2018, with the area’s dynamism driving overall growth. While FF energy drinks are more popular among young consumers, the recent introduction of new flavours in ...

Sales growth within fortified/functional packaged food continues to be hindered by consumer scepticism. Indeed, most Belgian consumers no longer believe the claims that fortified/functional packaged food manufacturers make about their products. For ...