Eastern Europe

Vitamins is experiencing strong double-digit value growth in 2023 due to rising unit prices and rampant inflation in the country. Volume sales, meanwhile, have normalised following a strong boost during the pandemic as consumers bought vitamins in…

Vitamins witnessed two years of fast growth in both retail volume and current value terms in 2020 and 2021 as consumers looked for immunity and general health properties to offer resistance to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. However, as the…

There has been a strong increase in current value sale of weight management and wellbeing in 2023, although inflation has been a contributory factor pushing up prices. Consumers have resumed their active social lives and body image is a much higher…

Weight management is not traditionally a first choice for consumers in Lithuania regarding weight management or losing weight. Competition from sports nutrition, healthier diets and exercise plans, are all challenges to sales, hampering results.…

Weight management and wellbeing tops the list of fastest growing categories as the health and wellness trend continues to influence consumers in North Macedonia in 2023. Also, a growing number of people are struggling with obesity, high blood…

Over 2023, meal replacement is projected to see further, if slight, retail volume growth and fast retail current value, fuelled by high inflation. The category is driven by innovation and strong marketing activities in support of the leading meal…

Wound care is expected to see stagnant current value growth in 2023 after a period of fluctuation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers have fully returned to outdoor activities and consequently, various minor injuries are fuelling sales of…

With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, sales of wound care in Lithuania heightened as consumers were back to previous active lifestyles. This is especially true for children, boosting sales of basic products for small injuries and cuts. Compeed branded…

Demand for wound care products remains stable and, with rising unit prices in line with inflation, it is seeing strong retail value growth in 2023. Both major categories - sticking plasters/adhesive bandages and gauze, tape and other wound care - are…

Wound care in Slovakia is consolidated around few key players. Hartmann-Rico, the historical leader with a wide range of brands, is expected to remain clear of the field in retail value share terms in 2023, followed by 3M (East), Interpharm Slovakia…

The analgesics market in Bulgaria has reached a mature stage, characterised by steady growth and well-established product offerings. This maturity is evident in the consistent demand for pain relief solutions driven by factors such as an ageing…

As consumption patterns continue to stabilise following three years of pandemic-induced disruption, the majority of analgesics categories in Hungary are projected to contract in volume terms in 2023. Rates of decline in most look set to be modest,…

In 2023, analgesics is set to see strong growth supported by rising prices in the context of generally high rates of inflation. After strong growth in 2020 due to stockpiling and decline in 2021, the category returned to growth in 2022 and has…

In 2023, the consumer health market in Bulgaria is set to see steady current value growth, with sales set to continue to fall at constant 2023 prices, though at a slower rate than in the previous year in both cases. Consumer preferences are shifting…

While consumer health in Hungary is set to post robust growth in total current value sales in 2023, this is primarily due to inflationary pressures fuelled by the global recovery from the pandemic, the fallout of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the…

The second half of 2022 and the first half of 2023 saw declining demand for many areas of OTC healthcare. This was linked to high inflation and the related decline in disposable incomes. Consumers have turned away from buying non-essential products…

Price sensitivity among Bulgarian consumers is a key factor influencing their purchasing decisions when it comes to cough, cold, and allergy (hay fever) remedies. As the minimum wage in Bulgaria is just under EUR400 in 2023, a significant portion of…

Most cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies categories in Hungary are set to expand in volume terms in 2023 or record slower rates of decline than in 2022. Similar to the case with analgesics, the need for these products has been bolstered by…

Although the threat from COVID-19 is largely perceived to have past, many consumers continue to worry about how people will react if they sneeze or cough in public. Volume growth of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies is helping to drive the…

The sedentary lifestyles that are prevalent in Bulgaria significantly impact the market for dermatological products. A lack of physical activity often goes hand in hand with prolonged periods of sitting indoors, which can lead to reduced exposure to…