Ireland

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has resulted in a significant speeding up in the move away from cash, as consumers and retailers tried to avoid handling it, particularly in the early days of the pandemic. This has therefore been providing strong impetus…

After a particularly strong 2020, the rate of growth of retail current value sales of wound care will slow somewhat during 2021. During 2020, lifestyle changes triggered by COVID-19 led more local consumers to buy wound care products and first aid…

Demand for weight management and wellbeing has been in decline since the early part of the review period, and this trend will continue into 2021, in spite of the fact that the girth of Irish consumers continues to grow: In 2020, almost 30% of the…

COVID-19 drove a sharp acceleration in the rate of growth of retail current value sales of vitamins during 2020, as the pandemic drove a significant increase in consumer interest in preventative healthcare. The pandemic helped to undercut the…

Retail current value sales of sports nutrition were badly hit by COVID-19 during 2020. As local consumers were restricted from playing competitive and team sports and training in sports facilities (particularly gyms), their consumption of sports…

Having exhibited their highest rate of growth in almost a decade during 2020, the rate of growth in retail current value sales of sleep aids is set to slow significantly during 2021. Even before the onset of the pandemic, many local consumers were…

Having declined for the first time in many years during 2020, retail current value sales of paediatric consumer health will see a modest rebound during 2021. Paediatric cough/cold remedies will remain the main source of weakness. Measures intended to…

Approximately one in five Irish adults smokes on a daily basis, with those aged between 25 and 34 years the most likely to light up, according to the Health Service Executive (HSE – the country’s public health system). Heightened levels of stress and…

Consumer income is set to witness solid growth in Ireland, owing to robust economic development and expanding high-skilled sectors. Wealth is predicted to remain concentrated among the older Irish population in urban areas, who will shape demand for…

Local consumer interest in herbal/traditional products had been on the rise even before the onset of the pandemic, but COVID-19 accelerated this trend. As a result, retail current value sales of herbal/traditional products rose at their fastest rate…

Having declined significantly during 2020, eye care will see a modest rebound in retail current value sales during 2021. Standard eye care accounts for the bulk of retail current value sales of eye care, but demand for these products declined sharply…

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, retail current value sales of digestive remedies benefited from consumer preferences shifting towards preventative health. However, after the initial panic caused by the outbreak of COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, demand…

The market for dietary supplements is larger and more dynamic than that of vitamins, but in contrast to vitamins, the rate of growth in retail current value sales of dietary supplements did not accelerate significantly during 2020. Unlike vitamins…

Having declined for the first time in well over a decade during 2020, retail current value sales of dermatologicals will be little better than flat in 2021. While retail current value sales of such products as cold sore treatments, haemorrhoid…

Having plunged by almost a quarter during 2020, retail current value sales of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies will continue to fall in 2021 – albeit at a more modest pace. Measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, such as social…

Having declined steeply during 2020, retail current value sales of consumer health will stabilise during 2021. Having plunged by almost a quarter during 2020, retail current value sales of cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies will continue to…

The rate of growth in retail current value sales of analgesics will accelerate slightly during 2021. This will be driven mainly by advice given by the Health Services Executive (HSE – the public healthcare system) recommending acetaminophen as the…

The high share of wind power in the electricity mix makes Ireland’s energy industry efficient, yet the country remains reliant on imported fossil fuels to meet its overall energy needs. Although Ireland boasts vast renewable water resources, water…

Sour milk products registered a strong performance during 2021, outperforming yoghurt substantially as sales rose from a considerably lower base. Kefir is among the most popular sour milk products in Ireland and demand for kefir has risen strongly…

Among the big winners in other dairy 2021 were plain condensed milk, plain fromage frais and quark and savoury fromage frais and quark. All of these categories benefited from the deepening of the health and wellness trend that was seen during the…