Specialised washing products – drugstores are strong

According to data from the GfK Hungária ConsumerScan, sales of universal washing powders were down in the first nine months of 2008, while sales of specialised products grew. The market share of private labels continued to increase in both segments. Sales of universal washing powders were down by 3 percent in terms of value. The average quantity purchased in the first nine months of 2008 was 13 kg/litre. The market share of private labels increased from 13 to 15 percent in terms of quantity in the universal segment, in the above period. The market share of liquid products was up by 1 percent in terms of quantity, reaching 19 percent. Sales increased in the hyper market, supermarket and cash&carry segments, while sales dropped in discounts. The market of specialised washing products showed dynamic growth. Sales were up by more than a third in terms of quantity in the first nine months of 2008, compared to the preceding year. Since average price was down by 7 percent, the increase in terms of value stayed under 30 percent. Private labels produced faster growth than brands, increasing their market share to 17 percent. Among distribution channels, hyper markets and drugstores expanded their market shares at the expense of discounts and small stores.