Market share of PL mineral waters dropping

Growth has stopped in the mineral water category. A drop of 2 percent in retail sales in terms of value was registered in the March 2008-February 2009 period, reducing the total size of the market to somewhat below HUF 44 billion. The largest part of mineral water is still sold in 1.5 litre bottles, which account for 80 percent of sales in terms of value. The market share of private labels in terms of quantity has dropped from 46 percent last year, to 43 percent this year. Average price has been stable for two years., remaining HUF 44 per litre for carbonated products and HUF 57 for carbon-free waters. Sales of mineral water have been highly concentrated in modern stores for years. Bigger than 400 square meter stores account for 78 percent of total sales in terms of quantity. Though carbonated mineral water still accounts for two-thirds of the total quantity sold, demand for carbon-free water is growing.