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Mintel European Retail Intelligence provides independent, expert coverage of the major retail sectors throughout Europe. Each title in this series analyses retailing trends in up to 19 European markets, including the Scandinavian nations and Eastern European countries such as the Czech Republic and Poland as well as the major Western European markets.

The coverage provided by each report is as accurate, relevant and up-to-date as possible, combining in-house sector expertise with retailer performance data, taken directly from industry and trade sources....

This report looks at clothing retailing in Europe. As in previous years, the focus of the European clothing report is the clothing specialists, because these are the dominant players in the sector. Nevertheless, for each country in this report we provide total consumer spending data for clothing – which includes expenditure through all channels. And we include Mintel’s Channels of Distribution estimates for each European country (Poland excepted), which indicates how this spending is distributed by type of retailer....

This report series covers the 19 leading economies of Europe. In total these countries account for around 95% of all European retail sales, excluding Russia. The remaining ten countries are either too small (eg Luxembourg) or are not sufficiently well developed to warrant detailed coverage (eg Romania and Bulgaria). Many of these developing countries plus Russia and Turkey are to be covered in the Mintel report "Retailing in Emerging Markets – Europe, June 2011".

This data in its entirety is contained in the single copy 19-country report, which gives a full overview of electricals retailing in Europe. Single country reports are also available for the UK, France, Germany, Spain and Italy.

The focus of the report is the electricals specialists, and they are generally the dominant players in the market.

But the electricals sector faces some major challenges:

• The lingering economic hangover.
• Wavering consumer confidence and a slow recovery in discretionary spending.
• Competition from non-specialists and in particular internet pure players and supermarkets.
• Continuing pressure on prices and sales volumes.
• Product convergence, which could put further pressure on sales volumes.
• Multi-channel development, which is fast becoming the option of choice for consumers but is costly for retailers to implement.
• Customer service, which is the new battleground for specialists and inextricably linked to multi-channel development, but represents another major investment for retailers.

The retail gluten-free food market has grown to an estimated $6.1 billion in 2011. While this figure includes all food labeled gluten free (including products that are inherently gluten free such as scallops or tomato sauce), sales of gluten-free food products that are alternatives to gluten-containing, grain-based products (e.g. salty snacks, cookies, and bread) have grown dramatically, and importantly are the focus of this report. Ultimately, the market’s growth is even more impressive considering that much of it came about during a poor economy....

In spite of the economic ups and downs of the past year, consumers have found a way to include dining out in their budget, perhaps becoming recession weary and finding restaurants a form of creature comfort. So much the more going forward as the economy begins to pick up.

In this report, Mintel examines restaurant economics and drivers, restaurant and menu trends, and consumer attitudes and habits to provide a glimpse into the future of the dining-out industry. Insights from this report will help operators and foodservice suppliers create high-demand products and build effective marketing messages. All restaurant stakeholders will want to read this report in order to understand:...

“While still in the minority, accounting for 12.6 million adults, renters felt the aftermath of the credit crunch deeply, with over three quarters admitting that renting is their best option because they can’t afford to buy a place of their own. The inability to get on the property ladder pushes up the demand for rentals and their price, putting a further squeeze on renters’ incomes, with rents and utilities currently accounting for 37% of their monthly spend. ”...

Property & Casualty Insurance–US–October 2011 focuses on the industry’s reaction to an increasingly price-driven and competitive market. The shifts in market share between the more traditional insurers and those focused on price advantages are discussed, as is the move away from agency writers to direct writers as more customers use the direct channel to buy auto and homeowners insurance. The ever-expanding relevance of the internet is part of the discussion, as many younger adults are buying through the website, either with or without the aid of an agent or rep....

With the UK market an exception, European sun care sales were somewhat sluggish in 2010, although increased consumer awareness regarding the damaging effects of sun exposure is a major positive market driver. The launch of value-added products combining cosmetic and protective benefits has also been a supportive factor. France remains by far the most valuable, with sales expected to reach some €401million in 2011.

New product development increasingly incorporates more skincare benefits, with many recent launches incorporating anti-ageing, antioxidant and nourishing ingredients, thus positioning sun care skus as beauty products. The general naturals trend is apparent also within sun care, with increasing focus on the development of products with botanical and herbal components and non-chemical filters....

“The demand for insurance cover has held up well despite a difficult economic climate. There are even signs that the weak economy may have some positive effects for the market, as many consumers consider insurance as even more important when things are tough financially. However, as household budgets face increased pressure, the majority of policyholders will still opt to find the best possible deal at their renewal.”

– Deborah Osguthorpe, Senior Financial Services Analyst...

There has been a seismic shift in consumer attitudes toward traditional advertising and in the way that marketers spend money on traditional ads. The growth of the internet as a substitute/supplement to TV and widespread DVR use has resulted in a viewer that is often distracted and able to skip commercials entirely. In the print industry, marketers have reacted to plummeting readership with a significant decline in traditional spending and in the creation of a strategy of new integrated media....

There has been much talk in the newspapers of the rise in stay at home dads, although these fathers are very much in the minority. Despite huge progress in sexual equality over the last couple of generations, men still retain their role as the main breadwinner in the household, whilst mums shoulder the bulk of childcare responsibilities.

The current economic climate has left a huge question mark hanging over job security and financial stability and this report examines how much time mums and dads can afford to take off work after the arrival of their baby and what prompts them to return to work. This has also impacted on their attitudes towards social issues now that their family is expanding, as well as their priorities when shopping.

Some questions answered in this report include:

“Improved quality of life, increased affordability and low crime feature prominently amongst the reasons for trading city living for the suburbs and rural areas. Over four in ten urban 16-24s are feeling less safe in the aftermath of the urban riots, and this sentiment is likely impacting on their aspirations for home buying, with over four in ten who are interested in purchasing a home in the suburbs and over a third eying the countryside in the intermediate future.”...

The European DIY market is largely a tale of two halves, with mature Northwest European markets showing little potential for significant growth:

• Declining or stagnating property markets in Ireland, Spain and the UK.
• An ageing population is less willing and less able to undertake DIY.

However, there are opportunities elsewhere:

• Major retailers are moving beyond mature and declining markets to stimulate demand in underdeveloped markets in Eastern/Southeastern Europe. ...

The austere economic setting had an adverse effect on European value sales of hair colours, with France, Germany and Italy all posting a decline in 2010. Spain managed only modest growth, but the UK market bucked the downward trend and posted dynamic growth of 7%. Germany remains by far the largest of the Big 5, with sales valued at €413.5 million.

Performance remains the main arena for product innovation, with a focus on long-lasting results and ease/speed of use. Foam products represent an innovation breakthrough in a market where revisions to existing formulations and extended shade ranges are typically the ‘news’....

The employment gap between women with and without children has been narrowing down since the late 90s, with more women choosing to return to work full-time after having a child. Current economic uncertainty and the rising cost of living, coupled with the government’s austerity measures have had an impact on British families, and fears over job security likely impact on mothers’ decisions to go back to work.

With financial concerns being the primary force for driving mothers back to work, growing numbers of women breadwinners will see partners pitch in more around the household and in helping out with raising the children.

Some questions answered in this report include:

This market research report looks at the modern UK family, and the factors which have affected the household structure over recent years. The report provides marketers with an vital insight into how the contemporary UK family can be best communicated with, not simply as a whole, but by different family types.

Rising house prices, unattainable mortgage rates for first-time buyers, and a high unemployment rate spurred by the recession that started in 2008 all serve as deterrents for many young people who are hoping to reach the milestones of getting married and having children. Today’s parents are postponing children until later in life, with the average age at marriage being 29.9 for a woman, rising from 25.5 in 1991, as women put other priorities before having children, such as university education, the desire to establish a career, getting on a housing ladder and generally ensuring financial stability before starting a family.

This report is essential for anyone involved in marketing to UK modern-day families and will provide, in addition to an insight into the new family unit, a source of inspiration and a guide to marketing strategy.

European sales of oral care products have had mixed fortunes of late, with the recent economic recession making consumers increasingly price-conscious, and resulting in some lacklustre performances in the Big 5 European markets. However, growing demand for specialist and value-added products is supporting sales, as is improved consumer awareness of the importance of a daily dental health routine. Backed by its larger population size, Germany is clearly the most valuable market, with sales expected to reach €1.5 billion in 2011....

The number of 16-34-year-olds is growing, although it is keeping pace with the wider population. They account for a quarter of the total UK population and as such represent a significant consumer group to market to. The plans and aspirations that they have for the coming years will shape the products and services that they buy and the values that they look for in brands that they purchase.

How can marketers improve the level of engagement with these key consumers? This report will provide an overview of the aspirations and future plans held by different types of young couples and will provide you inspiration, in addition to a valuable understanding of how best to implement marketing strategy concerning young couples in the UK.

The vitamins and supplements market has traditionally benefited from consumers’ growing interest in self- diagnosis and self-medication of ailments and in looking after their health to prevent illness. This includes taking dietary supplements to ensure they are getting all the nutrients they need.

The widening of distribution has benefited sales through grocers and drugstores at the expense of chemists. Supermarkets are benefiting thanks to their typically lower prices and bundle offers (eg buy two, get one free), which are particularly attractive in the current poor economic climate. Internet sales have also risen thanks to the increasing number of websites available to purchase health products and medicines at significant discounts....