Hungarian FMCG retail dynamics among the best in Europe

In the 4th quarter of 2014 Hungarian FMCG retail turnover expanded faster than the European average: in terms of volume sales 3.2 percent more groceries, household chemicals and cosmetics were sold than in Q4 2013, while the European average was plus 1.5 percent. As for value sales, Hungary produced plus 4.9 percent and the European average was plus 3.1 percent. Both Hungarian indicators are the second best in Europe, behind Turkey’s – according to the Nielsen ‘Growth Reporter’. In the 21 audited countries prices elevated by 1.6 percent on average, while in Hungary the price increase was 1.7 percent. Jean-Jacques Vandenheede, Nielsen’s retail insights director in Europe told that Europe’s growth was hold back by the ‘big five’, the five biggest markets in the EU which didn’t do very well: in Italy and the UK both value and volume sales declined around 1 percent in Q4 2014. In Germany and France both value and volume sales rose below 1 percent. In Spain volume sales improved but value sales stagnated in comparison with Q4 2013. Mr Vandenheede is of the opinion that the last quarter of 2014 wasn’t too bad for European FMCG retail. With prices at a historic low we can say that there is light at the end of the tunnel.