Western Europe

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the most severe global recession in nearly a century. Businesses are operating in a world of anxieties and uncertainties, not knowing what will be the new normal or when output and consumer spending…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…

Eyewear in Turkey has been in recovery since 2021, but a full return to pre-pandemic levels in volume terms is not expected until the second half of the forecast period. Sales have already recovered in current value terms, but this has largely driven…

Eyewear in the UK is expected to continue to record single-digit retail volume and current value growth in 2024, albeit at marginally slower rates than the previous year. Eyewear in the UK witnessed a relatively quick recovery after the decline seen…

In 2024, sales of eyewear in the Netherlands are experiencing healthy growth, continuing the positive trend from the previous year. Despite facing challenges such as price increases and inflation, Dutch consumers consider eyewear an essential item…

Eyewear recorded a positive and significant uplift in retail volume and value growth in 2023, following the deep declines seen in previous years due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Spectacles remained the largest category in eyewear in 2023, with…

Eyewear in Sweden continues to display a robust performance in 2024, buoyed by an ageing population and increasing time spent on digital screens, which are both boosting the need for more specialist or value-added eyewear products. The rising…

Eyewear in Spain continues to see a return to pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19) consumption patterns in 2024. As in 2023, the end of COVID-19-related restrictions in the country has seen Spanish consumers resume out-of-home lifestyles, returning more fully…

Italian eyewear is projected to record single-digit growth in current value terms in 2023. Eyewear saw a quick recovery after the decline seen in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Value sales returned to pre-pandemic levels in 2021 with this being…

Eyewear in Germany experienced a significant decline in 2020 due to the pandemic and subsequent home seclusion, but the industry has been in recovery mode since 2021, despite a marginal decline in volume sales in 2022. Therefore, a full return to…

In 2024, eyewear in France is witnessing slower growth compared to recent years, in both retail volume and current value terms. With inflation softening in 2024, French consumers and inbound tourists who can afford to pay for luxury products are…

Rising concern about the prevalence of myopia among children and teenagers, primarily due to excessive screen exposure, has contributed to a renewed focus on contact lenses and solutions. Teenagers in particular often feel self-conscious about…

Contact lenses in the UK are set to deliver solid single-digit volume and current value growth over 2024, which will make it the most dynamic performer in eyewear (in terms of volume growth). After the decline that resulted from the pandemic in 2020,…

Sales of contact lenses and solutions remain driven by daily disposable lenses in the Netherlands, continuing the trend evidenced during the latter part of the review period. Manufacturers are committed to increasing the penetration of daily…

Some consumers are switching back to contact lenses after wearing spectacles during the outbreak of COVID-19. Daily disposables are becoming more popular for occasional use, while monthly and 6-month lenses are still the most popular for everyday…

Retail volume sales of contact lenses and solutions has been relatively stagnant in Sweden for much of the review period, although there was a slight uptick in 2024. Advanced features and rising prices brought on by inflation has underpinned current…

Retail volume and current value sales of contact lenses and solutions in Spain are expected to see strong growth over 2024, albeit slower compared to 2023. Economic factors in 2024 continue to exert a strong influence on the category. In this vein,…

Contact lenses is set to deliver single-digit growth in current value terms in 2023, with it expected to be the most dynamic category within eyewear. After the decline seen in 2020, which was linked to the arrival of the COVID-19 health emergency,…