Western Europe

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…

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 Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

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…

Spectacles in France continues to grow at a healthy pace in 2024, in both retail volume and current value terms, with unit prices declining in both frames and lenses. Sales of spectacle lenses are slowing in 2024, due to the ongoing effect of the RAC…

The eyewear industry has experienced significant challenges in recent years due to the global pandemic and economic uncertainty. Spectacles, which comprise a significant portion of the industry in Germany, have not been immune to these challenges.…

Sales of spectacles are set to see only moderate growth in current value terms in 2023, with growth being curbed by the low purchasing power of many Italians. Due to the impact of high inflation on the cost of living many people are being forced to…

Spectacles in Spain is expected to see modest, and slower, retail volume growth over 2024, compared to 2023. However, supported by an increase in the average retail unit price, retail value (constant 2024 prices) sales are projected to rise for the…

Spectacles in Sweden continues to display solid retail volume and current value growth boosted by rising unit prices and inflation. The ageing population along with lifestyle changes, such as greater exposure to digital screens, is boosting demand…

Spectacles posted growth in 2023, following a fluctuating performance. Growth somewhat benefited from COVID-19, with home seclusion boosting wear initially. However, sales suffered from purchases being postponed during store closures and customers…

Spectacles are expected to record positive growth in 2024, driven by a continuous increase in the consumer base in the Netherlands. Dutch consumers view spectacle frames as essential items, similar to spectacle lenses, making them less likely to…

Spectacles in the UK continued to witness positive growth in 2023 offset by the ramifications of the pandemic. At the same time, value growth was driven by average unit price increases in line with inflated energy prices. While both value and volume…

Overall growth in spectacles is set to remain steady if moderate in retail volume terms throughout 2024 fuelled by rising demand for progressive lenses. Demand for progressive spectacle lenses is being driven by Turkey’s ageing population, coupled…

The performance of sunglasses is heavily influenced by the weather in France as well as tourism trends. In 2022, sales of sunglasses peaked due to high temperatures throughout the summer and the strong revival of national and international tourism in…

Demand for sunglasses declined in 2022, which can be attributed to a variety of factors including low consumer confidence and a reluctance to make fashion purchases during times of crisis and high inflation – despite the return of holiday trips to…

After a very positive 2022 during which saw sunglasses recorded double-digit growth in value and volume terms, 2023 is set to be a more complex year for the category. The dynamic growth seen in 2022 was linked to the category’s ongoing recovery after…

Having exceeded 2019 retail volume and current value sales for the first time in 2023, sunglasses in Spain continues to recover from the slump caused by the exigencies of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Sunglasses is projected to see the fastest…

Sunglasses in Sweden is one of the most dynamic categories in eyewear. Since the post-pandemic boom in sales, volume growth slowed in 2022 and 2023, but momentum is building in 2024. The strong premiumisation trend coupled with inflation continues to…

Demand for sunglasses has continued to recover from the impact of COVID-19 in 2023, seeing positive growth following a decline in 2022. Normalisation in travel patterns to sunny climates is a main drive of sales, while travel was impacted by…

The sales of sunglasses in the Netherlands continue to thrive, benefiting from their positioning not only as essential protective accessories but also as fashion complements. With a heightened awareness of the dangers of UV light and an increasing…