Eastern Europe

Although Ecuador is applying greater fiscal discipline, economic freedom remains constrained by state influence and a weak rule of law. Economic growth is set to slow further and reliance on commodity exports is very high, but inflation is relatively…

Value sales of fine wines/champagne and spirits grew by 20% to total PLN1.7 billion in 2023, boosted by consumers’ desire to enjoy themselves after the pandemic. Enjoying a drink with friends remains a priority leisure activity, following on from the…

Tourist visitor levels in Poland recovered in 2023, despite global macroeconomic pressures such as high inflation and the rapid escalation of living costs. This was an improvement on previous years when the pandemic prevented people from travelling.…

Upon the Russian invasion of Ukraine, retail sales of wound care in Slovenia experienced growth, with the general population in Slovenia purchasing essential wound care items to offer as donations to those affected in Ukraine. The Ministry of Health…

Rates of obesity are increasing in Slovenia, with lifestyles changing rapidly, with labour-intensive jobs switching to office jobs, which require little movement. At the same time, COVID-19 contributed to social distancing, which made people less…

The pandemic resulted in shifts in vitamin consumption and purchasing in Slovenia. Consumers are emphasising preventive health measures more, and individuals who previously did not purchase them are using vitamins and supplements. The COVID-19…

Sports Nutrition is thriving in Slovenia, as the fitness culture is gaining significant traction. Despite constrained budgets and lower income levels compared to the EU average, gyms and sports are increasingly becoming an essential aspect of life,…

Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca stand as Romania’s most economically vibrant cities, while Timisoara is the city with the greatest promise for future economic expansion. Nevertheless, Romanian urban centres will continue to grapple with persistent…

Although Lithuania enjoys economic freedom and solid state finances, relations with neighbours have worsened and add to uncertainty. The economy has been hindered by the highest inflation rate in the eurozone and output growth could enter negative…

Whilst Georgia’s government finances have improved and a low tax burden benefits businesses, governance is becoming more authoritarian and moving away from democratic ideals. Economic development was extremely robust in 2022, thanks to tourism,…

The preference for herbal/traditional products has grown over the review period, driven by the demand for natural and 'clean' ingredients. This trend is evident in Slovenia across consumer healthcare, including paediatric consumer health, where…

Driven by a stronger consumer emphasis on health and wellbeing, current value sales of herbal/traditional products are experiencing moderate growth in 2023. In Slovenia, there is an emerging preference for herbal/traditional products over standard…

Constipation remains a prevalent issue among Slovenian consumers, leading them to increasingly find natural methods of alleviating symptoms. These methods include adopting healthier and more balanced eating habits, engaging in regular physical…

The COVID-19 pandemic, conflict in Ukraine, and escalating living expenses have intensified mental health worries among Slovenian consumers. Consequently, many are searching for dietary supplements and vitamins that enhance their mood and alleviate…

Increasing consumer demand for medicated skin care products drives sales growth in dermatologicals in 2023. The aspiration for well-maintained and healthy skin is expanding from beauty and personal care to include dermatological products, as these…

During the past few years, Slovenia has experienced a virtually non-existent flu season due to the outbreak of COVID-19. This led to individuals opting to stay at home and, when going out in public, adhering to practices like wearing face masks,…

Due to the war in Ukraine, increasing energy and production costs, and the ongoing impact of COVID-19, prices have inflated significantly in Slovenia. This has been the primary reason for high current retail value growth in 2023. Levels of retail…

Analgesics in Slovenia are projected to experience significant growth in current retail value throughout 2023. Both adult and paediatric analgesics are performing well. During the latter part of the review period, the sector benefited from the…

Consumption of wound care is being stimulated by Serbians’ return to pre-pandemic lifestyles. As consumers spend more time outside their homes, the incidence of the kind of minor injury that requires wound care is rising. In addition, the health and…

As occurred in 2022, wound care is set to post moderate growth in current value sales in 2023 but contract in volume terms. These results are explained by persistently high inflation in Hungary, which has continued to erode spending power among…