Ukraine

Ukraine’s economy contracted significantly in 2020, with real GDP declining by 4%, compared to a 3% rise in 2019, and unemployment also rising, as a result of the measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19. Purchasing power declined, with…

COVID-19 heavily impacted the use of closed loop pre-paid cards during 2020 due a dramatic decline in the use of public transport in urban areas, particularly during the second and third quarters of the year. Lockdown measures saw public transport in…

A shift to cashless payments among local consumers continued to drive growth in financial card use among Ukrainians in 2021. Although COVID-19 has played a role in this by making some (particularly older consumers) more reluctant to handle notes and…

A shift to cashless payments among local consumers continues to drive growth in debit card use among Ukrainians in 2021. Although COVID-19 has played a certain role in this by making some (particularly older consumers) more reluctant to handle notes…

The value and volume of credit card transactions in Ukraine continued to expand at a robust pace during 2021, with a sharp reduction in the National Bank of Ukraine’s key policy rate during 2020 due to the economic shock of the pandemic playing a key…

The outstanding balance of consumer credit in Ukraine continued to grow in constant value terms during 2021, albeit at its lowest rate since 2016. Gross lending also expanded at its lowest rate in constant value terms since 20216. The economic shock…

The economic shock of the pandemic did not create significant difficulties for the country’s lenders during 2021. This was somewhat surprising, as previous economic crises have generally driven a surge in non-performing loans and even led to bank…

Insight into income, wealth and expenditure of consumers and households is vital in helping businesses make strategic decisions with regards to which country (or even which region within a country) to enter, which consumer segment to target, which…

Wound care has been negatively impacted by COVID-19. With people going out less due to lockdowns and less outdoor activities and gyms being closed, there was fewer minor injuries as a result, which fed into lower value sales for wound care. In…

Weight management and wellbeing has benefitted from COVID-19, with the product area expected to register a second year of double-digit current value growth. With people forced to spend significant amounts of time at home, therefore taking less…

Vitamins hugely benefitted from COVID-19 in 2020 and is expected to continue to do so in 2021, with value expected to increase by over a quarter, in what is expected to be the best performing consumer health product. Its continuing buoyancy is due to…

2020 was a disastrous year for sports nutrition, with a steep fall in current value sales. With a significant portion of value sales sold through gyms and with gyms closed for much of 2020, it led to a severe slump. The outlook is much more positive…

Sleeps aids is expected to register healthy value growth, as it did in 2020. However, growth rates are not particularly higher than prior to the pandemic, though COVID-19 did drive some value sales, with more people suffering from anxiety about…

COVID-19 has a relatively low impact on the health of children and as a result value growth is expected to be minimal, in particular as many COVID-19 restrictions are still in place and there is less circulation of other ailments such as the common…

NRT smoking cessation aids is the smallest consumer health product in Ukraine, in terms of value sales, with high retail prices stifling value growth. All the same, NRT smoking cessation aids is expected to register double-digit value growth, as it…

Herbal/traditional products were largely unaffected by COVID-19 and moderate current value growth is expected to in 2021. Herbal/traditional products lost out to dietary supplements as a result of COVID-19, with prolific media coverage highlighting…

Eye care did not receive a boost from COVID-19, with value growth in 2021 expected to be low in comparison with the review period. All the same, increased time in front of screens doe to lockdowns, including children, is leading to increased eye…

Digestive remedies continues to register moderate current value growth during the pandemic, including in 2021. People have digestive problems due to stress and over eating, as they’re confined to their homes. However, increasing price sensitivity due…

Dietary supplements is expected to register a second year of double-digit value growth, as consumers look to improve their nutrition in order to protect themselves from COVID-19. Products such as garlic and zinc benefit from the heightened demand for…

Dermatologicals is expected is register moderate value growth in line with 2020. The pandemic is not having a significant effect on the product area. All the same, there are some changes. With people having a much more sedentary lifestyle, due to…