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Volume sales of cigarettes in Italy continued to decline in 2013. This was in part the result of falling consumption but primarily a shift towards illicit trade, triggered by rising prices. As the prices of cigarettes increased due to higher taxation, consumers looked for cheaper alternatives. This led to not only more smuggled, counterfeit and fake cigarettes, but also healthy growth for economy cigarette brands and RYO tobacco products.

Domestic tourism continued exhibiting strong growth and in 2013, trips increased 17%. One of the most important factors behind this performance was the strengthening in the operation of low cost carriers like Viva Colombia and Easy Fly, which led other airlines to lower the price of tickets and offer strong discounts more frequently. Domestic travellers by air increased 22% in 2013, whilst land transportation by bus, although it continued to move the biggest proportion of tourists, barely grew in 2013.

The participation of economy and popular energy drinks, particularly in familiar 1- and 2-litre PET packaging, has increased in energy drinks in recent years through launches of products from regional manufacturers which adopt lower unit prices for their energy drinks brands compared to standard and premium products. In view of this trend, Coca-Cola also launched 1-litre bottles for the Burn brand with lower unit price, mainly to compete with such brands.

Cider/perry sales remain seasonal in Venezuela, with consumption being highest during Christmas. Therefore, the majority of sales are made during the last quarter of the year. During challenging economic times, Venezuelans tend to replace sparkling wine with cider/perry, which is less expensive.

The 7% growth in current value terms posted by hair care in 2013 was higher than the 5% CAGR of the review period. The favourable evolution of unit prices in most hair care categories and good economic conditions enabled consumers to absorb price increases while maintaining volume purchases.

No significant changes in the other pet food category are anticipated in 2014. Other pet food will remain a niche category. Small mammal/reptile food is expected to post the highest growth in 2014. Small mammals, such as hamsters, are ideal for families who want pets with less responsibility than dogs. They are also less expensive.

Colour cosmetics recorded a 1% current value gain in 2013 as these products continued to be used by women on a daily basis. In addition, growth was also fuelled by the rising popularity of specific products such as other facial make-up and eye shadow. However, economic problems in the country meant that Czech consumers were mostly interested in cheaper products or strong brands at discounted prices.

During 2013 online travel sales to country residents saw a current value increase of 13%, faster than the previous year but slower than the growth rates seen earlier in the review period, as the market is growing from a larger base. Nevertheless thanks to a fast positioning and penetration of online travel agencies more Mexicans use online services to investigate, compare, plan and pay for their holidays. Is easier and faster to look for some destinations online and then compare transportation...

There will be a certain continuity of key trends in 2014 in other pet food. In spite of demand for other pet food being relatively stable, it is certainly adversely affected by a limited offering of products; a situation that was exacerbated in 2013 and will remain in 2014, as a result of limited access to foreign exchange currency for importers. The outlook for 2014 is not better than that of 2013 with importers been unable to meet current demand and bring imported products into the market.

Coffee showed growth of 4% in volume terms, as more Russians are drinking it. Significant market players are actively marketing coffee, increasing the numbers of coffee houses, facilitating a growing take-away coffee culture. Consumers are also becoming more aware and educated concerning their coffee. Russia's coffee and tea association has put a lot of effort into promoting coffee, organising various events, exhibitions, seminars and more. With growing disposable incomes, Russians now tend to try new products more. Consumers are also travelling a lot, bringing new coffee experiences back to their home country.

The global confectionery market was worth nearly US$200 billion dollars in 2014, and grew by an annual rate of 2% in real terms over the previous five years. However, this rosy picture does not tell the whole story. With per capita consumption in Europe and North America declining, this briefing examines the largest and fastest growing countries and product categories, and identifies the key trends that offer manufacturers opportunities, as well as those that threaten growth.

GlobalData's new report, "Canada Capsule Endoscopy Systems Market Outlook to 2020", provides key market data on the Canada Capsule Endoscopy Systems market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (in US dollars) within market segments - Capsule Endoscopes, Capsule Endoscopy Data Recorders and Capsule Endoscopy Workstations.

Wine-based RTDs and spirit-based RTDs are the only types of products currently available in this area. The popularity of wine-based RTDs, especially domestic brands, is growing, mostly amongst low income consumers who are looking for an alternative to higher priced wine.

The robotic vacuum cleaner, also known as 'the robovac', is an autonomous robotic vacuum cleaner equipped with a vacuum cleaning system and an intelligent program that runs it. These robotic vacuum cleaners are used for the purpose of cleaning floors, pools, and gutters. Robotic vacuum cleaners are equipped with laser or infrared sensors to ensure a logical cleaning path and avoidance of obstacles. These vacuum cleaners have made housework easy and are a great comfort for many families.

BPO is a segment of outsourcing, which consists of subcontracting the business processes of an organization to a third-party vendor that has expertise in required domains. It is an effective strategy of delegating one or more business activities to external companies (vendors), which, in turn, administer and manage the selected activity, based on defined and measurable performance criteria. It helps client firms to increase their operational efficiency, concentrate on their core competencies, reduce time to market, obtain access to fresh talent and experience along with latest technologies, and build an organization with an economical cost structure in the long run.

New product developments are gaining momentum and importance in an era of fierce competition among key alcoholic drinks categories and a rapidly reducing acquisition pool. Identifying the key themes driving innovation, realising their cross-category relevance and moving beyond trade taboos and stereotypes is essential for securing success in the brave new world of the alcoholic drinks industry.

GlobalData's new report, "Asia-Pacific Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) Biliary Stenting Procedures Outlook to 2020", provides key market data on the Asia-Pacific Percutaneous Transhepatic Cholangiography (PTC) Biliary Stenting Procedures. The report provides procedure volumes within market segments - PTC Plastic Biliary Stenting Procedures and PTC Metal Biliary Stenting Procedures (PTC Metal - Non-Covered Biliary Stenting Procedures, PTC Metal - Partially Covered Biliary Stenting Procedures and PTC Metal - Fully Covered Biliary Stenting Procedures).

Travel retail sales continued to benefit from the development in domestic and incoming tourism, and in 2013 posted an increase of 7% in current value. Themed tourism like bird watching, eco-tourism, adventure or diving, for example, are developing categories and although sun and sand destinations are the most preferred, travel agencies rely on their experience to offer appealing packages and plans to customers in the categories mentioned above, as most consumers need ideas when planning vacations.

Retail volume sales of cigarettes declined by 4% in 2013 to account for 17.9 billion sticks. The decline can be attributed to higher cigarette prices, a decrease in smoking prevalence and the success of anti-smoking advertising campaigns. Volume sales were also affected by an evident shift to RYO tobacco, due to the lower unit prices in this category. In fact, RYO tobacco was the only category to record an increase in retail volume sales in 2013.

Hosiery is usually regarded as being essential and is worn regularly for school and work. As a result, demand in this category is stable despite poor economic conditions in Taiwan. Furthermore, hosiery is inexpensive and easily replaceable, thus making sales of hosiery less dependent on the economic situation.

GlobalData's new report, "Russia Bariatric Surgery Devices Market Outlook to 2020", provides key market data on the Russia Bariatric Surgery Devices market. The report provides value, in millions of US dollars, volume (in units) and average prices (in US dollars) within market segments - Bariatric Stapling Devices, Gastric Bands and Gastric Balloons.

The immature side to men's grooming, namely skin care and hair care witnessed plenty of manufacturer investment throughout the review period and 2013, but regardless there was no breakthrough. In 2013, both product areas continued to account for just 1% share of total men's grooming value each. Neither local companies such as Lumene Oy nor large multinationals were able to tap sales in men's hair care and skin care. Regardless of disappointing sales, the companies continued to invest in men's...

As the birth rate continued to decline in 2013, manufacturers looked for ways to maintain share. As new borns moved into the toddler age group, disposable pants continued to gain in popularity. In addition, disposable pants were introduced to other infant stages such as crawling and walking. Disposable pants are easier to put on and take off, especially when compared to nappies. Furthermore, Huggies possesses a range known as Nappy Pants, a hybrid nappy and pants product. Nappy Pants are shaped...

The major growth driver in concentrates is the fact that concentrates are traditionally consumed during the month of Ramadan and in the summer, as they are considered to be a fundamental element of breaking the fast and quenching the thirst in the summer. Therefore, a large proportion of sales happen in the space of one month, and companies intensify their advertisements and promotions in larger retail outlets during this period to gain more share. These drinks have also been performing well due to the high growth in the population of children; in fact children are the major consumers of concentrates.

Mexico strives to be among the top destinations for health and wellness tourism in the world, and its close proximity and cost savings of up to and even over 50% for surgeries and medical procedures when compared to the same procedures in the US make it a popular destination indeed. It also boasts more than 100 certified hospitals by international standards of the Joint Commission International, alternative medicine such as hydrotherapy, temazcal and thalassotherapy, amongst others. This led the government and private companies to invest during the review period in hospitals and hotels in main cities such as Monterrey, Puebla, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Queretaro, San Luis Rio Colorado, Riviera Maya, Tijuana and Mexico City. The purpose is to increase and improve infrastructure to offer high-quality services in order to attract more health and wellness tourism and increase its permanence in the country. Some of these projects are known as Health City or Medical City and include all services that patients and their families would need (accommodation, transportation and attractions, amongst others).