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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....

In 2012, America is a country facing steep challenges. The economy still tops the list of personal concerns, but a range of other difficulties directly affect businesses across a spectrum of categories. Continuing high unemployment, declining median household incomes, decreasing disposable income, and listless consumer confidence are all factors contributing to deep concerns about many issues. These concerns include, but are not limited to, healthcare costs, standards of living, tax increases, and U.S. politics....

This report provides an up-close look at Hispanics and the alcoholic beverage market, including:

• Beer, wine and spirits consumption trends among Hispanic adults
• Consumers’ attitudes towards pricing, marketing, brands and alcoholic beverage preferences
• How age, gender, income, acculturation levels, and country of origin affect beverage preferences, particularly among the key groups: Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and U.S.-born Hispanics
• Hispanic consumers’ preferred shopping channels for alcoholic beverages...

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....

Many companies operating in the leisure travel industry, including cruise lines, struggled during the recession as Americans cut back on leisure spending due to high unemployment, declining median household incomes, and a lack of confidence in their future economic prospects. During this time, cruise lines deeply discounted their base fares and offered a variety of enticing promotions which kept the average capacity utilization above 100%. In 2011, improved macroeconomic conditions—as well as the arrival of new ships, which further increased capacity—served to drive sales. While increased revenues in 2010 and 2011 indicate that the industry is poised for future growth, it is also apparent that competition for cruise travelers will increase and cruise lines will need to focus their development and marketing efforts on consumer preferences to differentiate their brands....

The fruit juice and juice drinks market grew by 1% in 2011, which is an improvement on the 1.7% decline witnessed in 2009 and no gain (0%) in 2010. Nevertheless, the market remains challenged with a number of issues, the foremost being juice and drinks’ high calorie status, which does not bode well amid the high incidence of diabetes among U.S. adults, and the consumer trend toward maintaining a healthy weight. The market has growth potential through innovation, especially in diet products with the right attributes—no artificial sweeteners, right taste, and innovative flavors. The other major challenge in the market is the consumer migration from fruit juice (100%) to fruit drinks....

Retail sales at drug stores grew by 3.6% in 2011, reaching $230 billion, and are expected to increase by a further 5% in 2012. Growth is driven by the aging population, rising levels of obesity and obesity-related illnesses and conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. As these groups seek treatment for their conditions, they turn to drug stores for health-related needs. Additionally, rising costs of health care are causing many to limit or avoid visits to their doctors, rather preferring self-diagnosis or assistance from a pharmacist or in-store clinic when seeking medical advice and treatment. Though competition exists from other channels, Walgreens and CVS remain the leaders among drug stores visited in general, as well as the top two destinations for prescription refills. Online retailing is slower to take off in this space, but it is expected to grow as consumers continue to adopt mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. This report closely examines these themes as well as a variety of other factors impacting the drug store shopper....

An increasingly diverse population and more frequent home cooking helped the ethnic food market continue to grow in 2011, reaching nearly $3 billion in sales. However, the 3.5% growth during this time is the slowest seen in the category over the five years prior. Signs of an improving economy may have driven some consumers back to restaurants, where they might find a more authentic ethnic food experience at the hands of professional chefs, or simply obtain fast and convenient meal options at a reasonable cost....

Reflecting a trend that has been seen in a variety of categories, sales of foot care products declined sharply in 2009, as millions of Americans sought ways to reduce discretionary spending and increase savings for a “worst case scenario” plan. While sales fell again in 2010 and 2011, improving economic conditions indicate that marketing and product development teams will want to intensify their efforts in 2012, as companies seek ways to capitalize on moderately strong demand for mid-market, as well as premium foot care products....

Strong growth in the $12 billion home baking industry at FDMx in 2008 and 2009 slowed to a halt in 2010 and 2011. Similarly, strong growth in consumer interest in home baking waned slightly in the period, having been driven in recent years in part by a desire to save money during the economic downturn. A rebounding economy that frees consumers from the need to prepare food at home, competition from in-store bakeries (ISBs) and alternative markets, as well as a growing consumer interest in healthy eating challenge sales....

The prepaid and gift card business is experiencing a comeback as the economy slowly recovers from the recent recession. Prepaid cards are among the fastest-growing method of payments, with the number of transactions increasing nearly 23% per year between 2006 and 2009 (source: 2010 Federal Reserve Payments Study).

Use of these cards has expanded beyond general reloadable cards (GPRs) and they are now used by corporations and government agencies to pay salaries and benefits, saving these organizations money and making it easier for people—especially the unbanked—to gain access to their money. Gift cards are benefiting from the improving economy, although the precariousness of the recovery is certainly having a dampening effect....

With anticipated spending of $22.8 billion and a 6.8% increase compared to 2010, the Back to School (BTS) shopping market showed signs of recovery in 2011. Nonetheless, growth in this competitive market is shaped by shifting tastes, as conscious teens and economizing parents intend to find the best values in a rapidly-changing digital media environment. The market embraces on one hand some of the most powerful retailers such as Walmart, Target and Macy’s, and on the other some of the newest and most innovative retailers, such as eCampus.com or 77kids by American Eagle. This report offers an in-depth analysis of the BTS shopping moment at this key juncture, as the economy makes a still uncertain and slow recovery. Additionally, the report:...

The market for sleep aids is growing, despite the recall of a leading brand-name product and an overall reduction in new product introductions. Growth has been propelled by natural and homeopathic products, yet the number of people who have trouble sleeping still far outweighs the number who report taking a sleep aid, resulting in a category ripe for greater potential growth.

This report details the market for over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aids, including:...

After experiencing sharp declines in the depths of the recession, the bed and bath linens market has begun to show signs of life. The category stabilized in 2010 and is estimated to have gained ground in 2011. While sales remain far below their pre-recession levels, and consumers remain cautious about all household expenditures, the market is poised to continue on a positive tract over the next few years.

This report features Mintel’s exclusive research on consumer attitudes and behaviors concerning the bed and bath linens category, including reasons for purchase and key purchase criteria. In addition, the report includes:...

With a household penetration rate of 97.1%, the salty snacks category is one of the most popular among U.S. households. In 2011, U.S. sales of potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels and corn snacks amounted to $13.6 billion, illustrating the relative recession-resistance of these snack segments. As such, they are critically important to manufacturers and retailers alike, as they represent a fairly reliable revenue stream.

Salty snacks have a relatively affordable price point. However, this is not to say that the segments featured in this report are entirely immune to economic pressures. As they are a snacking extra, they may be cut from grocery lists depending on just how tight the household food budget is. In addition to financial concerns, media coverage regarding the country’s growing obesity problem is no doubt capturing the attention of Americans. Parents in particular may be reluctant to buy as many snacks for their children as they have in the past....

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:...

The Great Recession and a stuttering economy continue to influence consumer attitudes and behavior, and in turn, trends in the beverage market. According to Mintel GNPD, since the onset of the recession there has been significant new product launch activity in the beverage market driven by innovation in the alcoholic beverage segment. The influx of beverage products makes beverage labeling and packaging even more critical for success in a highly competitive atmosphere....

In this report, Mintel explores the tires and rims market in the U.S., and provides insight into the external and internal factors that influence tires and rims purchase, and trends within the tires and rims market. Mintel will also provide insight into what these various factors mean for future sales, marketing and advertisements, and industry innovations.

Specific questions that are answered in this report include, but are not limited to, the following:...