Italy

In 2019, consumer credit continued to perform well, although fluctuating consumer confidence and below expected economic growth slowed its momentum. Outstanding balance is set to rise over the forecast period as gross lending benefits from stable or ...

Consumer lending in Italy continued to perform well in 2019, with consumer credit categories recording value growth in gross lending and outstanding balance. However, there was a further slight-to-marginal downturn in gross lending value in ...

Analgesics is set to record further positive current value growth over the forecast period. Growth is supported by the increase in stress-related headaches and the trend towards self-medication, leading consumers to treat pain and minor ailments ...

The robust 2018/2019 flu season, albeit not as strong as in 2017/2018, led to a record number of flu cases in Italy and an upswing in current value sales for the category. Flu in Italy is characterised by the dominant circulation of the Type A virus,...

Dermatologicals, a mature category in Italy, continues to see a small drop in current value sales in 2019. Low birth rates continue to negatively impact the volume and value performance of nappy (diaper) rash treatments in Italy. A negative birth ...

Like vitamins, dietary supplements is benefiting from the growing health culture and focus on prevention, rather than cure, for long-term health. Doctors and pharmacists recognise that dietary supplements also have a functional role in maintaining ...

Increasingly hectic lifestyles are leading to the higher incidence of stress-related health issues, such as slow digestion, gastrointestinal disorders and hyperacidity, among local consumers. This continues to benefit sales of antacids, which is set ...

Eye care is seeing positive current value growth in 2019. The category benefits from the growing penetration of digital devices, including laptops and smartphones, in the country, which increases the incidence of eye irritation among consumers. ...

Herbal/traditional products continues to benefit from the growing interest in alternative medicines like phytotherapy. Importantly, consumers appreciate herbal and more natural products as gentler alternatives with fewer side effects. According to ...

Despite the steady fall in the number of adult smokers, smoking prevalence continues to see a gradual increase in 2019. This has limited the potential for NRT smoking cessation aids. Moreover, the drop in both the number and share of adult smokers is...

The focus on long-term health and prevention continues in Italy. Therefore, vitamins and dietary supplements and herbal/traditional products remain strong drivers of current value growth in 2019. The role played by these products in meeting the ...

Low birth rates are set to continue to limit the development of paediatric consumer health in the forecast period. The negative record of births has seen ISTAT report on an all-time low number of newborns. As a result, the 0-12-year-old population is...

Strong value sales growth is being driven by the high and increasing number of consumers affected by sleep disorders, including chronic insomnia, acute or transitory insomnia or struggling to fall asleep or waking up in the night. The overwhelming ...

The category is benefiting from the rising interest in sport and exercise regimes among consumers. As more and more consumers participate in sport, the number of registered athletes is reaching record highs. Football is the most popular sport in ...

The growing health culture is seeing further retail volume and current value growth in 2019. For example, Federsalus (National Association of Producers and Distributors of Vitamins and Dietary Supplements and Herbal/Traditional Products) reports that...

There are growing concerns about the health effects of excess weight, as obesity rates among adults and young consumers continue to rise in Italy. The problem is more widespread in southern Italy, according to research by the Italian Barometer ...

Growing polarisation is occurring in many product categories in Italy, as the gap between rich and poor grows, with a net thinning out of the middle class. Wound care is also seeing increasingly polarised demand in Italy, with consumers drawn to ...

Over the 2019-2030 period, consumer expenditure growth is set to remain stable but slower than its regional peers. The potential growth might be affected even more by increasing structural unemployment and falling productivity. What is more, although...

Italy’s Ease of Doing Business ranking is improving, but remains far below regional peers. High levels of unemployment and tax rates continue to hamper the nation’s competitiveness. A rigid labour market and an increasing shortage of labour, mainly ...

Sales in 2019 were sustained on the back of competitive pricing, promotions and wide availability. Low-cost players stand to enjoy a growing presence, partially facilitated by the growth of online sales....