United Kingdom

In 2017, the UK packaging industry was forced to adapt to changes across a range of industries. In soft drinks, the sugar tax introduced in April 2018 led some manufacturers to reduce pack sizes in order to maintain margins. An example of this is ...

In spite of the small number of consumers, the high net worth market globally is highly profitable for brands and businesses. But it is not an easy market to crack, with brands that have identified HNWIs as a growth opportunity often facing a similar...

Western Europe is undergoing a period of uncertainty owing to the United Kingdom’s (UK) decision to leave the European Union (EU). Germany, France and the UK play a pivotal role in regional trade, which will be put to the test in a post-Brexit ...

As world trade and investment deals become more interconnected in the context of globalisation, no economy is immune to fluctuations in the global economy. Insights into the best growth opportunities and “what if” scenarios are crucial to ...

With production of USD890 billion, Western Europe is the world’s second-largest metal producer, after Asia Pacific. Western Europe’s metal industry is highly developed with production per capita of USD1,777. Despite output plunging in the major ...

Plagued by uncertainties surrounding Brexit, the pace of growth will slow in 2018. Fixed investment will be weak owing to the uncertainties associated with Brexit. Gains in consumer spending will be subdued despite an ultra-loose monetary policy. ...

Eyewear in the UK was continuing to record positive retail volume and current value growth in 2018, with spectacles, sunglasses and contact lenses all attracting new industry players and surging product innovations. The spectacles and sunglasses ...

In 2018 the UK welcomed new players, with overseas eyewear brands recognising the category’s potential in the UK. As consumers increasingly perceive spectacles as a fashion accessory, they have been buying more spectacles to complement different ...

Muslim consumers increasingly seek beauty products that align with their religious beliefs while not compromising their modern Western European values. Lack of halal certification standards, and low consumer awareness of the benefits of halal ...

Ancient grains speak to tradition and cultural heritage, but it is unquestionable that an increasing number of health-conscious consumers seek these ingredients. This briefing analyses the nutritional value of ancient grains, and delves into their ...

Ageing populations, market saturation, and social habits - particularly use of contraceptives - impact the demand for sanitary protection in Western Europe. However, a number of trends are benefiting performance, such as the shift to ultra thin ...

As part of the EUTPD2 legislation which came fully into effect in May 2017, the minimum pack size for cigarettes is now 20 sticks. This significantly increased the initial cost of buying a packet of cigarettes for consumers, as many previously ...

The trend for downtrading is positively affecting fine cut tobacco. EUTPD2 legislation requiring minimum pack sizes for cigarettes, and plain packaging further reducing the role of branding, have shifted the focus to price, and fine cut tobacco is ...

Tobacco in the UK was transformed in 2017 by a range of factors, notably the implementation of EUTPD2, which came fully into effect in May. One impact was increased demand for value-for-money products, while an unintended consequence has been the ...

The UK is arguably the most vapour-friendly market in the world. Public Health England, the executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, has been an active proponent of switching from combustible cigarettes to vapour products. This ...

The increase in the female working population and rising ability to work remotely led to a surge in the sales of bags in 2018 as women turned to handbags to carry their laptops and work material. With increased purchasing power, women purchased ...

The blurring line between fine and costume jewellery is hardly a new phenomenon. But each year producers of mid-tier brands propose pieces of jewellery using precious metal, refined design and affordable pricing. Pandora, for instance, a fine ...

Personal accessories recorded healthy growth in the UK in 2018, but with significant disparities between and within categories. The most noticeable concerns the performance of the high end compared to the rest of the industry. The weak pound sterling...

2017 was the second year in a row featuring a double-digit value growth rate for British watches. However, volume sales fell dramatically and the average unit price boomed. High mechanical watches generated the fastest growth, featuring an ...

Despite the rising adoption of digital devices, writing instruments is set to witness steady growth over the years. Adult colouring books remain popular stress relievers among UK consumers. The fountain pen regained ground in 2017 and 2018 as a ...