Washing powder and gel producing price rise in excess of 20 percent

Retail sales of washing agents stagnated at around HUF 37 billion in the November 2007-October 2008 period. Washing agents are the largest among the 60 categories of household chemical products monitored by Nielsen. The market share of washing powder is still 73 percent in terms of quantity, though it was down by 3 percent compared to the preceding year. The gel and liquid segments are roughly equal in quantity and value. A 21 percent rise in the average price of washing powder has probably contributed to its decline. The price of liquids has also gone up, but that of gels stagnated. The market share of private labels reached 19 percent last October. Market concentration has stopped, but larger than 400 square meter retail units still accounted for 73 percent of total sales in terms of quantity.