Belgium

Volume sales for air care in Belgian continued to fall in 2023, with the category’s products widely regarded as non-essential and thus not included on the shopping list for the many households grappling with tighter spending budgets. Inflationary…

The number of passengers passing through Belgian airports is expected to continue to rise in 2023, with some categories, such as low cost carriers, exceeding the 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. Ryanair, the major low cost carrier is set to…

The alcoholic drinks landscape registered an overall decline in 2022, with a key reason being the re-opening of borders following the outbreak of COVID-19. As such, the number of Belgians crossing the border to buy alcohol, mainly from France and…

Sales of analgesics are seeing robust growth in current value terms in 2023, continuing on from the steady performance seen in 2022. During 2022, sales of analgesics benefited from a sudden peak in cases of flu in the middle of the winter. This was…

The Antwerp in Belgium report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

Apparel and footwear specialists in Belgium saw relatively modest growth in current value terms in 2023, when compared to the previous two years. This was mainly due to inflationary pressures, which led to rising prices, as players sought to protect…

2023 proved to be a difficult year for appliances and electronics specialists in Belgium. This was mainly due to inflationary pressures, which placed a strain on household budgets. With consumers remaining pessimistic about the general economic…

Away-from-home tissue and hygiene in Belgium faced significant challenges in 2023, primarily due to the sharp increase in energy prices. This surge adversely affected various product areas. In the tissue segment, the hospitality industry experienced…

Baby and child-specific products in Belgium benefitted somewhat from the spike in birth rates during the COVID-19 pandemic years, which resulted in a broader consumer base for manufacturers to target. On the negative side, retail price inflation has…

Sales of baby food were not significantly affected by the pandemic with sales remaining relatively stable in comparison to dairy products. Demand for baby food did not experience huge fluctuations over the 2020-2022 period, albeit with volume sales…

Following a noticeable increase in unit prices in 2022, 2023 began with a trend towards stabilisation, especially within leavened bread. This stabilisation has directly influenced volume sales, transitioning from a pronounced decline to a modest…

In 2023, retail price inflation had a strong impact on bath and shower in Belgium. Volume sales buckled amid weaker demand as consumers faced higher energy and heating costs, with many choosing to shower less frequently. In key categories such as…

Inflation remained a pressing issue for Belgian consumers in 2023 with economic uncertainty and financial anxiety exacerbated by high heating and energy costs. As consumer purchasing power declined, retail volume sales of beauty and personal care…

Following the outbreak of COVID-19 and the closure of pubs and bars, the complete re-opening of the Horeca channel led to growth in the on-trade for 2022. In addition, the return of international travel acted as a further boost for sales, while the…

The population of Brussels, the largest city in Belgium, is expected to continue growing, driven by net migration, good education and employment opportunities. Brussels is also set to remain the largest consumer market in Belgium, while Bruges…

Positive net migration will be the main driver of strong population expansion in Belgium in 2021-2040. Ageing will continue to be a key demographic theme, affecting consumer trends and placing a burden on state resources. Urbanisation will be swift…

The Belgian population is expanding due to an influx of immigrants, while businesses are becoming more diverse and inclusive. Consumer trends and consumption patterns sparked by the pandemic are still observed in 2022, and consumers are increasingly…

Bleach witnessed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes in 2020 with it seen as an affordable and effective home care solution. This dynamism was short lived however with sales tumbling in 2021 and 2022 as restrictions were eased and then lifted, and…

In 2023, leisure travel current value sales are expected to exceed their 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic level. As the threat of and measures related to the pandemic eased and lifted, Belgian consumers have been eager to travel. Leisure air travel,…

Off-trade volume sales of bottled water experienced a decline in 2023 compared to 2022, primarily due to less favourable weather conditions. Additionally, an increasing number of consumers opting to purchase bottled water in France contributes to the…