Eastern Europe

Apparel and footwear specialists registered a fall in current value sales in Slovakia in 2023. With inflation still being high, consumers were price sensitive and cut back on spending on non-essentials. Also, when consumers did purchase, they traded…

Apparel and footwear specialists is another channel which was seeing strong value growth in Hungary in 2023. Indeed, this trend continues from 2022, which also saw double-digit value growth, as the channel bounced back from the pandemic restrictions…

The wipes category in Bosnia and Herzegovina witnessed moderate growth in 2023 as consumers placed a stronger emphasis on personal hygiene in the post-pandemic era. Overall, locals are enjoying a higher standard of living, and this has increased use…

Following the pandemic, vending in the Czech Republic witnessed strong growth as consumers resumed their lives outside of the home. The deteriorating economy and rising cost of living brought an end to this in 2023. Sales in vending machines have…

Vending in Bulgaria performed strongly in 2023, registering double-digit value growth, as well an increase in constant value sales, despite continuing high inflation. Convenience and on-the-go consumption drove consumer demand. While hot and soft…

Tissue and hygiene in Bosnia and Herzegovina continued to experience the effects of high inflation in 2023, although the rate was significantly lower than in 2022. Inflation has weakened consumer purchasing power as many households face higher costs…

Supermarkets in the Czech Republic have enjoyed a solid performance in recent years. Inflation has remained high since 2022 plunging the Czech economy into dire straits for the second year running. Even though the soaring costs of living put further…

Supermarkets in Bulgaria registered current value growth, though constant value sales fell. Inflation was still an issue and impacted profitability. That being said, supermarkets are the largest modern grocery retailer in terms of value sales, with…

Small local grocers in the Czech Republic have struggled to adapt in an environment of high inflation, which has weakened the Czech economy since 2022 and created a cost of living crisis for Czech households. Indeed, some outlets were forced to cease…

Inflation was still an issue in 2023 for small local grocers in Bulgaria, though growth eased. As such, though current value sales rose, constant value sales fell, as continuing rising costs cut profit margins. There was also minimal openings of new…