Western Europe

Homewares in Spain witnessed robust value growth during the pandemic years as lockdowns and home isolation fostered a widespread interest in home cooking. In 2023, however, without any restrictions on mobility, Spanish consumers returned to their…

Homewares saw stable growth in current value terms in 2023, buoyed by several contributing factors. Italy’s expanding middle class and increasing urbanisation have led to a growing demand for homewares as more people seek to create comfortable and…

In 2023, homewares in Germany only witnessed marginal current value sales growth. However, this was largely driven by inflation and price increases. Slowing demand was driven by high consumer price inflation and poor economic growth in the country,…

Homewares in France experienced a slowdown in current value growth amid weaker consumer demand, primarily due to the previous stockpiling of such goods during the pandemic years. This accumulation of inventory limited the sales potential in 2023, at…

Western European home improvement sales saw a clear spike in 2020. Coronavirus (COVID-19), and the measures taken to control its spread, contributed positively to sales in many countries in the region, given consumers were spending more time at home…

Inflation and price pressures boosted current value sales for home improvement in 2022. However, price rises and the cost-of-living crisis in the country reduced room in consumers’ budgets to undertake home improvement projects. As such, demand in…

In 2023, the UK housing market was faced with a combination of economic pressures and a desire for personalisation. Homeowners increasingly opted to upgrade their current homes rather than embark on the often-costly endeavour of relocation. A growing…

Wall covering saw significant growth in the Netherlands in 2023 in current value terms. Demand rose as many people continued to focus on making home improvements, with changing wall coverings seen to be an effective and affordable way to achieve…

Retail value sales of home improvement fell in 2023. Moreover, in Switzerland, fitted carpets have long been unpopular and considered cheap due to their association with nail strip installation. However, unlike the contraction experienced in the…

In 2023, the home improvement category in Sweden witnessed a notable decline, primarily attributed to the crash in the real estate market. With dwindling property demand and reduced construction activity amid an ailing economy, the housing sector…