Western Europe

Following on from increasing demand for bags and luggage in 2022 due to improving mobility, the category that had been battered by the impact of the pandemic and various lockdowns has witnessed another year of double-digit current value growth,…

Bags and luggage continued to perform well in Italy in 2023 thanks to rising internal demand, as well as good trends for production and sales. The category continued its post-pandemic recovery during the year, but at two speeds. In fact, on one side,…

Bags and luggage is projected to experience robust growth in 2023, driven by an upsurge in travel activities and a growing preference among Dutch consumers for shorter, more frequent getaways. This trend is significantly contributing to an increased…

Bags and luggage is set to maintain growth in both retail volume and current value terms in the UK in 2023. Although volume sales are expected to increase in most categories, it is significant to note that luggage is anticipated to see the…

Jewellery remains a resilient performer in France, already recovering to 2019’s retail volume sales levels in 2021. Ongoing demand is not only due to a positive offsetting effect post-pandemic. There is a kind of paradox in a country with elevated…

Jewellery performed well in Italy in 2023 despite a high rate of inflation and an increase in prices, especially for fine jewellery, which saw stronger growth than custom jewellery in both volume and value terms during the year. In fact, the…

Jewellery, as a product area, is anticipated to experience positive albeit subdued growth in 2023. Economic uncertainty coupled with escalating prices has led to a more cautious approach among Dutch consumers regarding expenditure on non-essential…

The shift in consumer preference towards preferring experiences, and products that provide experiences, such as travelling, or purchasing a home, rather than owning things, is continuing to have a negative impact on sales of jewellery in the UK.…

Generally, 2023 has been a positive year for value sales of personal accessories in France, while overall demand is declining, depending on the category. The main contributor to value growth is a normalisation effect post-pandemic, inflation and…

Personal accessories continued to perform very well in Italy in 2023, seeing sales rise across categories as Italian consumers returned fully to normal life after the long years of the pandemic. At the same time, travelling, going out and working…

Personal accessories is anticipated to experience subdued growth in 2023, influenced by factors such as inflation, increased energy costs, and higher taxes, leading to a dampened demand. This slower recovery follows a previous year of rapid growth.…

Personal accessories is anticipated to keep expanding in retail volume terms in the UK in 2023, due to continued indulgence amongst consumers in the country, as well as the resurgence and growth of inbound tourism. While sales are also anticipated to…

Sales of traditional and connected watches in France remain positive in 2023, notably due to the ongoing growth of inbound and domestic tourism, and consumers’ footfall in Paris and the larger cities of France. Luxury brands (EUR3,000-5,000)…

The traditional and connected watches category registered growth in both volume and value terms in Italy in 2023. Value growth outpaced the rise in volume sales on the back of rising prices during the year. During and after the COVID-19 crisis,…

Despite a projected decline in luxury product demand in the Netherlands, mechanical watches continue to garner enthusiasm and promotional efforts. Mainstream manufacturers' consistent introduction of new models forecasts steady growth for mechanical…

After disruption to sales due to COVID-19 in 2020 and 2021, traditional watches resumed its pre-pandemic slow and steady declining trend in volume terms in 2022, a trend which is set to continue in 2023. Indeed, in 2023, every category within…

As in 2022, the start of the academic school year in 2023 marked a poor performance for writing instruments with another drop in sales during the most crucial period for this category. Demand for writing instruments was positive in 2020 and 2021,…

Sales of writing instruments increased in both volume and value terms in 2023 thanks to the continued normalisation of lifestyles, including returns to school and a strong reduction in smart working. The good performance of the category was largely a…

The ongoing shift towards digitalisation has influenced the consumption patterns of markers and highlighters, prompting manufacturers to adapt their marketing strategies by promoting alternative uses. Notably, there is a growing trend in hobbies and…

The return to normal life following COVID-19 is anticipated to continue benefiting writing instruments in 2023, particularly due to the return of regular school attendance. For instance, products such as ball point pens, and especially markers and…