Eastern Europe

Marketing campaigns grew in importance for the chewing gum industry in Poland towards the end of the review period. Wrigley, the leading player in the chewing gum category in Poland, launched a campaign called "Every Smile is Beautiful" to support…

Retail volume sales of gum have been restored after the losses suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic, with sales coming back to more stagnant growth in 2023. By comparison, current value growth continued in double-digits thanks to retail price…

Chocolate confectionery is expected to register moderate constant value growth in 2023, but volume growth will be marginal. Continuing economic uncertainty as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the meteoric rise in inflation and tightening…

The significant rise in commodity prices, production costs, and inflation in 2023 has a notable impact on consumers' ability to purchase chocolate confectionery. Consequently, there is a heightened interest in price promotions and discounts as…

In 2023, chocolate confectionery remains impacted by high inflation, with a decrease in purchasing power due to the high cost of living, as both bills and food prices have risen. The elimination of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022 led to the return to a…

Inflation and higher production costs forced food companies in Poland to raise prices towards the end of the review period. While small producers often could not afford to do so without losing contracts with retail chains, larger companies like…

In 2023, chocolate confectionery is witnessing muted growth in retail volume terms, with the economy slowing down and entering a technical recession in the first half of the year. Inflation remains high, but the economy is stable and hence consumer…

After seeing a growth spike in 2021, facial care product packaging continued to see strong growth in 2022. This can be attributed to the increasing beauty consciousness among consumers, evolving preferences for personalised skin care routines, the…

While HDPE bottles and folding cartons remained the two biggest pack types in Polish beauty and personal care packaging in unit volume terms in 2022, squeezable plastic tubes was third biggest and was also continuing to record rising unit volumes in…

Sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks saw continued growth in retail volume terms in 2023, supported by the trend towards busier, active lifestyles and on-the-go consumption. To this end, manufacturers paid greater attention to the packaging of…

While sweet biscuits, snacks bar and fruit snacks are expected to register a double-digit increase in current value sales, volume sales are expected to fall. Continuing economic uncertainty as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the meteoric…

In 2023, sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks continued to be impacted by temporary shortages of grain and other agricultural commodities, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Sweet biscuits and cereal bars suffered the most from these…

The economic uncertainty in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 has made more Croatians price-sensitive. Nonetheless, added-value health and wellness trends sustain sufficient value growth and an increased…

While the contraction will be less severe than in 2022, sweet biscuits, snack bars and fruit snacks is poised to record a negative result in overall retail volume sales terms for a second consecutive year in 2023. This is mainly because Bulgarians…

Retail volume sales of sugar confectionery saw positive growth in 2023, continuing the pattern of the previous year. This was largely due to the return of consumers, including children, to their busy, pre-pandemic lifestyles, which led to an increase…

While sugar confectionery is expected to register an increase in current value sales, volume growth is expected to be muted, as continuing high inflation dampens volume sales. In terms of value growth, mints are expected to be the strongest…

Sugar confectionery saw a mixed performance in 2023, with volume growth rates varying according to subcategory. With food inflation running at record levels, retailers focussed on rationalising their product portfolios in favour of their best-selling…

Sugar confectionery is expected to register a slight decline in volume sales in 2023. This reflects the fact that local consumers are increasingly shunning sugar confectionery due to its high sugar content and limited nutritional value. The category…

Although inflationary pressures in Bulgaria have eased somewhat since the start of the year, rising prices and falling purchasing power mean growth in sugar confectionery retail volume sales in 2023 looks set to be down slightly from 2022 and remain…

Retail sales of snacks saw positive growth in 2023, continuing the pattern of the previous year. This was largely due to the return of consumers to their busy, pre-pandemic lifestyles, including increased opportunities for socialisation inside and…