Western Europe

Marking a notable shift in consumption patterns, retail demand for vegetables in Germany declined in 2023. Ongoing economic challenges and inflationary pressures remained an obstacle for many consumers when it came to purchasing fresh produce at the…

In 2023, retail volume sales of sugar in Germany ceased their declining trajectory and stagnated. Since the at-home baking trend peaked in 2020 and supported category growth following previous declines, 2023 witnessed sugar consumption levels…

Starchy root consumption in Germany experienced another year of decline in 2023, reflecting market dynamics and dietary trends affecting the category. The evolving dietary habits of consumers in Germany were one of the factors influencing this shift.…

In 2023, peas generally remained popular in Germany because they are deemed easy to use, have a mild taste, and are budget-friendly, which matters when prices are rising. Germans tend to eat peas in salads during the summer and in soups and stews in…

Nuts in Germany, usually seen as a healthy and appetising snack, became increasingly expensive in 2023 because of rising inflation. This has impacted consumers’ food choices and how they spend their money. Since nuts are often considered a treat,…

Retail demand for meat in Germany experienced another decline in 2023, influenced by several factors that reshaped dietary habits and consumer preferences, such as concerns about the health impacts associated with meat consumption, sustainability and…

While not dramatically, retail volume sales of fruits in Germany declined in 2023. Economic factors such as rising prices and inflation are likely to have contributed to the decline; higher food costs and reduced purchasing power among consumers…

As the effects of the pandemic gradually waned and had little impact on consumers and their purchasing patterns in 2023, inflation and price increases took the lead as the main socioeconomic factors shaping demand for fresh food in Germany. Despite…

The increasing awareness of sustainability issues and environmental concerns associated with fish and seafood production have contributed to the decline in the consumption of these fresh foods in Germany. Health considerations have also played a…

In 2023, as food prices remained high, some consumers in Germany turned to eggs as a cheap alternative to meat due to their perception as a healthy food choice. Therefore, despite a marginal retail volume decline in 2023, demand for eggs remained…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Amidst surging prices, consumer consumption of fresh vegetables witnessed a heavy decline in retail volume terms in 2022. This price escalation varied across different product categories, with tomatoes standing out as one of the most affected.…

Sales of sugar and sweeteners in Spain continued to decline in retail volume terms in 2023, albeit at a far more modest rate than in the previous two years. Although sugar and sweeteners saw positive growth in current value terms in 2023 this was…

After seeing a steep decline in sales in retail volume terms in 2022 due to inflation and a shift towards more budget-friendly and convenient alternatives like frozen potatoes and ready-to-eat tortillas, the consumption of starchy roots displayed…

Sales of pulses experienced positive growth across all channels as consumers prioritised affordability. After a decline in retail volume terms in 2022 due to a general increase in food prices, the category saw a partial recovery in 2023. It is…

Nuts saw strong growth in current retail value terms in 2023 although this was primarily due to the ongoing impact of inflation. Nonetheless, the category also saw a return to growth in retail volume terms after recording declines in the previous two…

The volume of poultry and pork being consumed at home saw a small rebound in 2023 after a substantial decline in sales in 2021 and 2022, although sales remain below pre-pandemic levels. This growth was primarily driven by consumers shifting away from…

Inflation had a significant impact on consumer spending behaviour in 2022 as the cost of living rose sharply which led to a notable decline in sales of fruits in retail volume terms, with the category continuing to record a small decline in sales in…

Spain saw a return to relative normality in 2023 with the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the health crisis to be over. All COVID-19 related restrictions had been lifted by July 2023 which helped to boost consumer confidence and resulted in…

The retail consumption of fish and seafood continued to decline in 2023, albeit at a slightly slower pace than in the previous two years. This decline was primarily due to reduced purchasing power leading to an increased focus on essential goods and…