Consumer Health in Western Europe

While coughs, colds and the flu were less prevalent during the home seclusion of 2020, negatively impacting sales of cough and cold remedies in this year, they returned in full in the 2022/2023 winter season, with society fully reopened, boosting this category’s performance in 2022, with sales remaining at a high level in 2023. As health consciousness becomes increasingly important for consumers in Western Europe, this will continue to help drive sales in sports nutrition.

Key Findings

Germany experienced a similar trend to many other Western European 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. The COVID-19 restrictions boosted demand for cough and cold remedies

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

OTC products are benefiting 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.

The Consumer Health in Western Europe global briefing examines the size, growth trends and potential opportunities in the Consumer Health market. The strategic analyses include assessing the impacts of changing regulations, research breakthroughs and public health concerns on both the market and leading companies. Consumer attitudes towards the products and their personal healthcare needs are also explored.

Product coverage: Allergy Care, Herbal/Traditional Products, OTC, Paediatric Consumer Health, Sports Nutrition, Vitamins and Dietary Supplements, Weight Management and Wellbeing.

Data coverage: market sizes (historic and forecasts), company shares, brand shares and distribution data.

Why buy this report?

• Get a detailed picture of the Consumer Health market;
• Pinpoint growth sectors and identify factors driving change;
• Understand the competitive environment, the market’s major players and leading brands;
• Use five-year forecasts to assess how the market is predicted to develop.