Consumer Health in Western Europe

Delivery

This report comes in PPT.

Key Findings

Lifting of Germany experienced a similar trend to many other Western Eurpean countries as demand for a number of products in the cough, cold and allergy remedies category surged in 2022, with sales remaining at a high level in 2023, as coughs, colds and the flu returned with a vengeance in the 2022/2023 winter season with the lifting of all COVID-19 restrictions.COVID-19 restrictions boosts demand for cough and cold remedies

UK OTC sales boosted by the strain on the National Health Servicef

OTC products are beneiting from the strain on the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), with long waiting times for appointments and consultations resulting in more consumers opting to self-medicate. NHS England also recently stopped providing prescription treatments for 35 “minor” ailments to help save costs, with local consumers instead required to purchase OTC medication for these conditions.

Pharmacies the main sales channel, but e-commerce gaining share

Health and beauty specialists continue to be the leading distribution channel, with almost two thirds of consumer health sales in the region. However, e-commerce continues to gain share, accounting for 18% of sales in Western Europe as a whole and 30% in Germany, the region’s biggest market. While large marketplace players like Amazon, Douglas or Kaufland are driving e-commerce sales in Germany, drugstore chains are also strengthening their online operations.

Sports nutrition to see the fastest forecast period growth

Consumption of sports nutrition products is expected to continue increasing in the coming years, driven by rising demand among its traditional customer base of athletes, gym-goers, fitness enthusiasts and bodybuilders, as well as expanding usage among non-traditional users, who are helping bring such products into the mainstream.