United Kingdom

Despite economic headwinds in some markets, the toys and games industry continues to see growth globally. However, the continuing adoption of smart devices and digital entertainment at an ever earlier age puts a spotlight on the need for seamless ...

The UK saw a trend-driven resurgence in demand for yellow gold throughout 2019, and the popularity of the metal shows no signs of waning in the coming year. Soft yellow gold returned to both the catwalks and the high street, and was further endorsed ...

In the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016, watches in the UK enjoyed extraordinarily rapid growth, driven by a stock market crash and subsequent swing in the exchange rate of the pound sterling vs other currencies – making the UK an extremely ...

The colouring category enjoyed a spike in sales in 2015/2016 with the emergence of a much-publicised global trend for adult colouring books. In the UK, this trend has since slowed down with growth of colouring pencils and crayons returning to normal ...

Contact lenses continue to enjoy steady value growth in the UK, driven by the move towards daily disposable lenses that incorporate product upgrades and trade-ups into newer and more expensive materials. Nevertheless, retailers and brand owners are ...

The UK eyewear market continued to record positive current value growth in 2019, with contact lenses, spectacles and sunglasses all benefitting from the modern consumer embracing innovation, technology and premiumisation. The industry continues to be...

The UK’s population is ageing at one of the fastest rates in Europe and, as a result, levels of myopia – age-related shortsightedness – are increasing accordingly. This is good news for multibrand opticians like category leader Specsavers, which ...

Cigarettes volumes continued to decline in 2018 and are expected to go on falling over the forecast period, driven down by the decline in smoking prevalence, increases in duty rates and new regulations such as “Track and Trace” and the flavoured ...

Cigarillos was the only area of cigars, cigarillos and smoking tobacco to see volume growth in 2018 and is expected to continue to see a positive performance over the forecast period. The category’s expansion is being driven by consumers downtrading ...

The UK tobacco market is going through a process of significant upheaval, with increasing taxation and regulatory restrictions driving a notable shift away from cigarettes. Growing numbers of smokers are choosing either to quit completely or move to ...

The e-vapour products category continued to show double-digit growth in 2018, benefiting from the increasing prevalence of vaping, which was itself boosted by the support of Public Health England (PHE). During the year, PHE published an independent ...

Toys and games recorded stable growth in 2018 in spite of a very difficult year for traditional toys; strong growth in the UK video game industry has enabled the overall stability. The difficult state of political uncertainty has undoubtedly had some...

Current value sales of traditional toys and games declined for the second consecutive year in 2018 due to conflicting factors. Macroeconomic conditions in 2018, as uncertainty over outcomes of Brexit grew and prices rose, weakened consumer ...

Video games witnessed good growth in the UK in 2018, aided by the continued strong performance and growth of digital video game software. The strongest registered growth is seen in console games (digital) software, as consumers are consistently ...

Growth in per capita gross income and consumer expenditure in the United Kingdom (UK) will continue to remain subdued, plagued by economic uncertainties surrounding Brexit. A weakening economy and slow wage rises will also fuel the expansion of the ...

Following the rejection of Theresa May’s Brexit deal by the House of Commons three times, another extension of Article 50, failed cross-party talks with Labour, and a disastrous performance by the Conservatives in the European Parliamentary ...

A sound regulatory environment, well developed infrastructure, flexible labour market and extremely low levels of corruption make the United Kingdom (UK) an attractive destination for business activities and place it amongst the easiest places to do ...

Supported by more casual dress codes and the spread of sport as a status symbol, sportswear in Western Europe is seeing significant value growth, despite fierce price competition. Rising per capita spending on versatile trainers and leggings is ...

Owing to the healthy living trend, British consumers have developed more general awareness of ingredients and hence increasingly demand brands that sell natural and organic products. Players such as Child’s Farm and Weleda have highlighted the ...

Consumer demand for indulgence has boosted the bath and shower category. Built around the concept of creating a luxurious spa experience at home, demand is focused on products that help consumers escape their modern hectic lifestyles, unwind, and ...