Worldpanel's Top 10 Topics in February

What were our most-read articles this month? Unveiling the dynamic landscape of FMCG consumption in Europe and the retail battle for market share in GB and Spain, these topics emerged as the highlights of February. Technology trends have also grabbed our reader's attention, especially regarding smartphone usage and the global Video on Demand market.

Grocery price inflation drops to two-year low in the UK, as shoppers prioritise savings on Valentine’s Day

Britons have welcomed the dip on grocery inflation, now standing at 5.3%, and increased their spending on offers by 2% in February. Despite this, consumers still found room within their budgets to celebrate Valentine’s Day, Worldpanel expert Thomas Steel says. In the seven days before, steak and boxed chocolate sales shot up 12% and 16% compared with last year.

Read the latest publication

FMCG and cost of living

Spain’s top 5 retail chains account for more than half of grocery market value

Mercadona is the undisputed leader in Spain's retail sector, followed by 家乐福 , Lidl Espa?a , Eroski, and Grupo Dia . Together, they now account for 51% of the total FMCG spend across all retailers. In 2023, consumers shifted from traditional stores to supermarkets to better control their spending.

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Inflation forces French households to cut FMCG purchases by 3.2% in 2023

Food inflation reached a record level of 12.8% in 2023 in France, but the total FMCG volume still grew 0.5% compared to 2019, before the pandemic. This growth clearly shows the resilience of the market, writes Ga?lle Le Floch , Strategic Insight Director at Worldpanel. Meanwhile, annual spend per household increased by 8.2% on average – the highest rise in 40 years.

Learn more with our complete analysis

• Ireland: Post-festive dry January resolutions increase among Irish shoppers, but Veganuary falls short

Latam FMCG consumption will continue growing in 2024 – led by Brazil

Consumer values are shaping regional trends in parallel with economic drivers. Sustainability and health have become key concerns, with 66% of the population seeking products with natural ingredients. Shoppers are also becoming omnichannel, having visited nine channels on average in 2022.

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Uncovering the impact of ‘shrinkflation’ in Latin America

In Latam, 60% of all the FMCG categories that are growing in volume now come in smaller packages compared to the previous year. This indicates that the strategy of reducing the size of packaging in response to rising inflation can be an effective way of encouraging shoppers to buy.

Discover the impact of 'shrinkflation'

In Asia

• Thai consumers seek holistic support from health supplements

Immunity and general wellbeing are sought-after benefits in the Thai supplement market. However, the demand for protein and immunity has rebounded, as people started to work, exercise, and participate in activities outside the home again, while skincare and eyecare benefits have declined in importance. Read the report here

In the Middle East

• Economic resilience shapes Saudi FMCG landscape

Food and dairy categories dominate FMCG spending in Saudi Arabia, contributing 41.4% and 28.7% respectively to the sector’s total value. However, spending habits and consumption trends vary depending on shopper age and income level, emphasising the need for tailored marketing strategies. Download the deck for more insights and reach out to our expert Imtiaz Hashem

Entertainment and Technology

Apple dominates global smartphone market with record-breaking sales

Worldpanel’s latest OS data highlights a fantastic Q4 for 苹果 , with its iPhone 15 series driving it to a record-high 37% share of global sales. 华为 Harmony OS sales volumes have also jumped by 32% in Mainland China Meanwhile, Android OS fell to a 57% share of global smartphone sales, writes Jack Hamlin , Global Consumer Insight Director at Worldpanel.

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Global VoD market surges, with Netflix showing no signs of slowing

"AppleTV+ was the clear winner in the share of new subscribers in Q4 of 2023, thanks to a combination of a winning strategy of free trials, and the success of British shows Slow Horses and Ted Lasso, which attracted new viewers" says Worldpanel expert Andrew Skerratt . But Netflix continues to grow its subscriber base in nearly all markets.

Read about the latest Entertainment on Demand trends

More news

Brazil: Shared occasions boost out-of-home consumption in Brazil (Portuguese)

Brazil: Shoppers are buying more and in a less fragmented way (Portuguese)

CAM: The pet food market grows with a focus on the dry food category (Spanish)

Ecuador: Staying in, managing budgets, and looking for the best price: understand what factors influence the consumer journey (Spanish)

Mainland China: In the Beauty industry, gifts account for more than 10% of market share (Mandarin Chinese)

Mainland China: The Chinese FMCG market is recovering steadily and regional retailers are expanding their influence (Mandarin Chinese)

Malaysia: How perceptive are Malaysian shoppers towards 'shrinkflation'

Portugal: Eating healthily in Portugal: looking beyond fruits and vegetables (Portuguese)

Spain: Consumers are eating out less often and planning the occasions more (Spanish)

Spain: Fragrances are one of the top-selling gifts for Saint Valentine’s Day (Spanish)

Taiwan: 10 FMCG trends to look for in 2024 in Taiwan (Mandarin Chinese)

Upcoming webinars

7 March: An advertising manual to win buyers in Spain (Spanish)

11 April: Building the shopping basket (Spanish)

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