Western Europe

There is an ongoing shift from unbranded and counterfeit products towards recognised brands, driven by increased parental awareness of the potential health risks associated with generic and unbranded items. This shift indicates a growing preference…

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…

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…

Writing instruments occupy a modest share of the overall personal accessories market in Switzerland, thus exerting minimal influence on the sector. In 2023, the category witnessed stagnant growth in value terms, with a slight decline in volume sales…

Writing instruments saw a decline in volume terms in 2023, following the sluggish performance of the previous year. While writing instruments remain essential in schools, they are less used in offices and universities. As technology involves,…

Spain’s birth rate continues to fall with couples having fewer children, starting a family a later in life or even choosing not to have children at all. According to the latest data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), Spain’s birth…

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…

In 2022, prices continued the steady rise that started before the pandemic, with significant increases since then, mainly driven by soaring energy costs. The recovery from the pandemic was slow, due to several COVID-19 variants affecting schools and…

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,…

Before the onset of COVID-19, the industry raced ahead, promoting swift turnover in consumer choices. However, in the post-COVID era, a shift has occurred towards a slower, more thoughtful approach. Consumers are now leaning towards timeless pieces…

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…

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…

The Swiss market for traditional and connected watches, renowned globally for its high-quality timepieces, is undergoing an evolution characterised by an expanding interest in various watch types, transcending the boundaries of luxury. A notable…

Traditional and connected watches registered a marked slowdown in growth in current value terms in 2023, when set against the previous two years, which saw sales bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. Value growth was driven largely by inflation and…

Sales of traditional watches saw a strong recovery in 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions were eased and there was a partial recovery in demand. This positivity was short lived, however, with the global economy being plunged into uncertainty in 2022…

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,…

In 2023, analogue quartz watches took a prominent position in Germany’s market, seamlessly integrating traditional craftsmanship with technological advances. These timepieces blend classic aesthetics with up-to-date design elements, particularly…

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)…

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…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…