ReleaseWire

Sauces, dressings and condiments remains a dynamic and fashionable category in packaged food, notably thanks to the ongoing trend for home cooking. In 2014, the continuous economic stagnation, coupled with the emergence of several popular television cooking shows, is seeing Belgian consumers experiment with new recipes and cooking styles. Some players are further benefiting from the increasing appeal of Mediterranean and ethnic cuisine, which is perceived as healthy and exotic. Convenience and...

All of in-car entertainment declined both in volume and value terms in 2013. The largest product, in-car navigation, faced strong competition from smartphones. Other in-car entertainment devices also lost ground, due to the fact that most cars purchased in 2013, had in-car media devices factory fitted.

Growth in credit card transactions volume is expected to have remained positive during 2014, with transactions value growth slightly stronger. This performance was a continuation of the positive growth trends which were evident in the category throughout the review period, as well as a strong indication of the healthy growth prospects in credit cards in Austria. Growth in the number of credit cards in circulation is set to have continued outpacing growth in the number of charge cards in...

In 2014, chocolate confectionary was negatively impacted by the economic slowdown and high inflation, with total volume sales growing by only 3%. However, current value sales increased at a slightly faster rate of 7% to reach R$12.6 billion.

In 2013, the demand for garden products in Thailand continued to rise, due to property developments. Property owners and families moving into new homes in urban areas craved green areas as they sought relief from hectic lifestyles. Home products also performed well due to property developments as people looked to decorate their new dwellings. Home furnishings and home improvement were among the main beneficiaries of property developments in Thailand.

Charge card transactions is expected to increase in current value by 10% during 2014, while the number of charge card transactions is expected to increase by 9%, a continuation of the strong growth recorded in charge cards transactions over the entire review period. Towards the end of the review period, growth rates in charge cards continued to be limited by the already high numbers of charge cards in circulation in the country and very high popularity of debit cards in Austria. Austrian...

Generic brands of traditional toys and games imported directly from China are becoming popular in Malaysia due to the availability of these toys in major retail outlets. Many retail outlets have more generic brands imported from China during 2013 with AEON department stores and hypermarkets like Giant and Tesco being more significant. Generic brand toys in these outlets target lower-income consumers. However, as consumers are being more cautious with their spending during a slow growth year,...

Despite the strong growth in 2014, retail volume sales were lower than in 2009. Retail volume sales reached their lowest point of the review period in 2013. Thus, growth in 2014 can be largely attributed to replacement sales and the subsequent underlying consumer demand for irons, which are considered a necessity in Swedish households.

Small appliances (non-cooking) received a boost from the growing popularity of home coffee consumption, and particularly from rising demand for speciality coffee beans and espresso. Coffee mills rose in volume and value terms in 2014 as more consumers turned to whole bean coffees for reasons of freshness, ethical farming and flavour variety. This in turn boosted sales of coffee mills as households ground fresh beans for their daily coffee.

It seems like manufacturers efforts to innovate and produce better designed and improved features for imaging devices has not been successful in Portugal. With mobile phones, especially smartphones presenting technologically advanced and incorporated cameras and camcorders rivalling in quality with imaging devices, the demand for this categorys products has been continuously declining since 2011. This product cannibalisation has been corroborated by the launch of new smartphones, such as Xperia Z1 and its 21 megapixel sensor as well as Lumia 1020, enabling consumers to shooting with 41 megapixels quality.

We are turning more positive regarding economic growth in the Caribbean, as structural and financial reforms take hold in the region, tourism numbers are picking up, and growth is stronger in key western states such as the US. That said, many regional economies continue to be heavily indebted which limits general investment. We believe that general food consumption growth will be strongest in Jamaica and the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic's case, food consumption is coming off of a very low base. Ongoing recession in Puerto Rico, one of the region's most sophisticated markets, is likely to continue in 2015.

No important changes took place on the grocery retailers category in 2014. Growth of modern grocery retailers continues to be supported by expansion to lower-income districts in Lima, as well as second-tier cities in provinces, where there is an untapped demand. Due to a slower performance of the economy during the first semester of 2014, middle-income consumers became more careful when evaluating where to make their purchases in order to obtain the most attractive prices, usually combining purchases within traditional and modern grocers to fulfil this goal. In response, modern grocery retailers strengthened their efforts to offer promotions and discounts, especially linked with their store credit cards.

In contrast with 2013, average temperatures in 2014 were generally warmer, with several days of temperature peaks, which were mainly favourable for spontaneous periods of high demand for cooling fans, whilst also curbing the decline in air conditioners. Cooling fans, which accounted for an 80% share of overall volume sales in 2014, was the biggest contributor to growth, with a 4% increase. Sales of tower fans, which offer a more compact and stylish alternative to the conventional standing and desk fans, grew by 16% and accounted for a 19% share of overall volume sales of air treatment products in 2014.

Although demand for consumer electronics and appliance products started to revive in the Czech Republic at the end of the review period, sales of electronics and appliance specialist retailers continued to register a decline in 2014. This development is attributable to the fact that these retailers continued to suffer from strong competition from internet retailing which experienced a strong dynamism in the country. Consumer electronics and appliances belong among the most sold products in online shopping. In tandem with this, offer of these products on the internet is very wide and there are a large number of online shops which are specialised on this product assortment.

Non-Life Insurance in France by Mintel Market Sizes provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2014. This market covers motor, home, well being and other non-life insurance. Market size comprises annual gross premiums paid by consumers and commercial enterprises. Market size for Non-Life Insurance in France is given in EUR with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for France. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

Within food preparation appliances, the growing success of ?gourmet kitchens? continued to drive growth of the category, which increased in volume sales by 10% in 2014. The kitchen is enhancing its importance within Brazilians? social lives and it is transforming from a mere food preparation space into a place to entertain family and friends. As a result, there is increasing demand for products that value kitchen space through design and innovation.

OTC Medications in Italy by Mintel Market Sizes provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2014. This market covers analgesics, cough/cold/flu, gastro-intestinal, dermatological remedies and vitamins and minerals. It excludes products which require prescriptions but includes pharmacy approved. Market size comprises sales through all retail channels including direct to consumer. Market size for OTC Medications in Italy is given in EUR with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Italy. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

Euromonitor International's Industrial reports provide a 360 degree view of an industry. The Industrial market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the Transport via Railways market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

Spirits in UK by Mintel Market Sizes provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2014. This market covers all spirits (distilled beverages) and liqueurs (flavoured with fruit, herbs etc.). Market size is based on retail (off trade) and non-retail (on trade and food/other industries) sales. Market size for Spirits in UK is given in GBP and litre with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for UK. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

Euromonitor International's Industrial reports provide a 360 degree view of an industry. The Industrial market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the Telecommunications market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

In 2013, tobacco imports increased in Georgia. The main reason for import growth was an increase in excise levies in September 2013. Forecasting the increase in excise, players started importing tobacco products in large volumes before September 2013, in order to be able to sell them at a higher price after the rise in excise and, as a result, gain higher revenues.

Microwaves in Colombia is a category which currently faces a very challenging situation. Amidst low penetration, the category is consistently recording higher volume than value growth, proving that the majority of consumers are still more interested in basic reheating and heating functions using standard microwaves than they are in using combination microwaves to prepare meals from scratch. Microwave cooking is still neglected in Colombian kitchens and heating, reheating and defrosting food remain the most commonly used functions of microwaves in the country. Amidst this rather adverse environment, the majority of the various programmes and functions featured on the control panels of microwaves in Colombia end up being underutilised, even when consumers are preparing very familiar dishes such as beans and rice. Public acceptance of combination microwaves is rising however thanks to the grilling functions of these appliances, but the category remains dominated by basic products with basic functions. There are some factors which encourage the rather negative attitudes of Colombian consumers towards microwaves. This is essentially a combination of a lack of education about the potential usefulness of microwaves, various cultural tropes related to the quality of microwave-cooked food and the lack of availability of microwave-safe cookware and a general lack of knowledge of the techniques for successful microwave cookery.

Noodles is expected to see healthy growth as a result of an increase in interest in Asian foods. Noodles will be a growing category in 2014 as Asian food is popular. This type of cuisine is viewed as exotic, relatively healthy and full of flavour. In 2014 the noodles category is expected to see further healthy growth of both volume and value sales. The category is helped by a change in the type of Asian restaurants which are present in the Netherlands. The dominant type of Asian restaurant used to be Chinese/Indonesian restaurants which serve Chinese and Indonesian dishes which are adapted to suit the traditional Dutch palate. However, over the past decade a new type of Asian restaurant scene has developed, which means that many Dutch consumers have now tried Thai, Vietnamese or Japanese noodles dishes in restaurants which serve more authentic Asian dishes. This change in foodservice has also helped to make the Dutch more sophisticated when it comes to noodle consumption.

Spectacles recorded a healthy performance during 2014, with value growth in the category supported mainly by positive growth in retail volume sales rather than rising unit prices. As in 2013, volume sales of spectacles benefited from Germany?s ageing population, which resulted in a higher percentage of the population being forced to rely on spectacles to correct age-related vision defects such as myopia.

Except for IPL shavers, which saw double-digit volume growth in 2014, all body shavers saw sales decline in 2014. In terms of products for men, a general preference to keep a partial/full beard had a negative impact on the demand for men?s electric shavers, even though the impact for beard trimmers under hair care appliances was positively impacted. However, the additional volume contribution from IPL depilators was not enough to counter a fall in the demand for classical electric epilators of 10%. On the other hand, multifunctional female bikini trimmers and hair stylers generated positive volume growth.