SBWire

Eckes appears to be struggling in a difficult trading environment in Europe given high raw material costs and sluggishness in consumption. While Eckes is in a good position to capture the growth potential in Hungary, it is encouraged not to shy away from acquiring premium juices in developed Western European markets. The pending Pago acquisition will help Eckes to have quick access to new markets and also shows its cautious move. For the long term, the company needs to look beyond Europe.

Skin care current retail value sales fell by 1% to EUR204 million in 2012. Despite the fact that product development and advertising remained active, the area faced declining value sales. Consumers continued to care for their skin in the best possible manner and favoured products which helped to maintain healthy and youthful skin but continued to trade down due to rising price sensitivity. Good offers and deals were especially appealing to consumers. Also, products delivering more than one...

Rice in Vietnam by Mintel Global Market Navigator provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2012. This market covers all rice consumption including all packaged and unpackaged white and other rice. Market size is based on retail and non-retail sales. Market size for Rice in Vietnam is given in VND and tonne with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Vietnam. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

Economic recession and declining purchasing power continue to have a negative impact on demand for consumer appliances in France as overall value sales stagnated in 2012, although volume sales did record slow but positive growth. Positive value growth was recorded in small appliances, which helped to compensate for the negative value growth recorded in major appliances. Faced with increasing economic uncertainty and the election of a leftist president and socialist party into power, it appears...

A clear division among consumers was apparent in tea with the majority remaining extremely frugal when it came to purchasing tea in 2012, while wealthier individuals sought out new experiences. According to disappointed importers and producers, LTL5.00 was the maximum sustainable price for a pack of tea, irrespective of quantity and quality. Retailers were forced to oblige by loading their shelves with cheap imports - mostly from Poland - and continuously slashed prices of well-known brands.

GBI Research's report "Advanced Wound Management Market to 2019 - Increasing Incidence of Diabetes Leading to Chronic Wounds in Emerging Countries will Drive Future Growth" looks at the market, competitive landscape, and trends for eight advanced wound dressing segments: foams, hydrocolloids, hydrogels, semi-permeable films, hydrofibers, wound contact layers, alginates, and collagens. The report provides comprehensive information on the key trends affecting these segments and analyzes the market dynamics. It also reviews the competitive landscape and gives detailed analysis of each segment's pipeline products, as well as details of important M&A deals. It is built using data and information sourced from proprietary databases, primary and secondary research, and in-house analysis by GBI Research's team of industry experts.

The availability of cheap fresh meat in Kenya led to losses in this category since consumers bought more fresh meat than chilled meat. This led to slow growth and a reduction in sales share.

This report presents the findings from a survey of 45 Norwegian enterprises regarding their Information and Communication Technology (ICT) budgets and staff allocation. The survey investigates how Norwegian enterprises currently allocate their ICT budgets across the core areas of enterprise ICT spend, namely hardware, software, IT services, communications and consulting.

The accompanying tables present the latest economic data and five-year forecast scenario for the country's banking system. Also included is SWOT analysis of the commercial banking system as a whole.

The furniture and homewares stores channel is continuing to see good growth, boosted by the increasing income of the middle class in Brazil. After years of solid growth in home sales, many consumers are now making improvements to these homes with better furnishings. The option of buying bespoke furniture is attracting middle class consumers as they can choose the best option of furniture and homewares that meets their home needs and the space available.

The Future of the Confectionery Market in Venezuela to 2017 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research. The report presents detailed analysis on the Confectionery consumption trends in Venezuela, historic and forecast Confectionery consumption volumes and values at market and category level, brand share and distribution channel data. This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modeling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for Confectionery sales overall and to know which categories and segments are showing growth in the coming years.

Skin care in Sweden increased in value by 2% in 2012. The main factors behind this positive growth were ongoing population growth, steady consumption rates and the strong marketing campaigns of the category's leading players.

The intensive development of chain retailing was the one of the key factors to impact premium fragrances in 2012. A focus on colour cosmetics and fragrances was clearly demonstrated by major "beauty" players, in particular Brocard (incl. L'Etoile, Brocard, Bonjour and ???), Eva and Cosmo. In fragrances, good growth opportunities were provided by: intensive promotion, better brand and product exposure, the support of qualified shop assistants, the availability of testers and private label...

- The Future of the Spirits Market in Greece to 2017 is the result of Canadean's extensive market research covering the Spirits market in Greece. - The report presents detailed data on the Spirits consumption trends in Greece, historic and forecast consumption volume and value at market and category level, brand share, alcoholic strength, price segmentation data, and distribution channel data. - This report brings together Canadean Intelligence's research, modelling and analysis expertise in order to develop uniquely detailed market data. This allows domestic and foreign companies to identify the market dynamics to account for the Spirits sales overall and to know which categories and segments are in the ascendency in the coming years.

Retailing in Indonesia by Mintel Global Market Navigator provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2012. This market covers sales to consumers through all retailers including direct from suppliers. Market value is at total sales including sales tax via stores and directly. Market size for Retailing in Indonesia is given in IDR with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Indonesia. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

The climate of economic uncertainty that prevailed in 2012 clearly impacted sales in mixed retailers. Unemployment, low consumer confidence and other factors took their toll on consumers and their ability to increase spending, resulting in fewer visits to mixed retailers.

Kuwait's ports have struggled to recover the volumes they enjoyed prior to the global economic downturn, but BMI expects recovery to have been completed by 2013, and that growth will continue over the medium term. If there are continued instances of industrial unrest and strikes, however, as Kuwait's ports have struggled with since the Arab Spring of 2011, then we may have to revise our forecasts down. The air freight sector was also hit in 2011, with volumes falling, and we estimate that 2012 also saw a decline. In 2013, we forecast that air freight cargo at Kuwait International Airport will return to growth, albeit at a sedate pace over our forecast period.

The accompanying tables present the latest economic data and five-year forecast scenario for the country's banking system. Also included is SWOT analysis of the commercial banking system as a whole.

BMI's Hungary tourism report examines the trends in inbound and outbound tourism expected to be seen between 2013 and 2017. Hungary is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but was still affected by the global economic crisis that crippled much of Central and Eastern Europe in recent years. Signs of recovery are emerging however and we expect tourism in Hungry to do well over the forecast period with growth expected in hotel accommodation and receipts from travel related expenditure.

Problems that plague Pakistan's power sector are unlikely to diminish even as the caretaker government has agreed in principle to reform the sector as conditions under the IMF bailout dictates. The latest nationwide blackout on February 24 highlights the government's lack of operational expertise and coordination between the ministries, problems which will hamper any plans the next government attempts to implement. With the unstable political environment and the lack of improvement in its fiscal balances, we believe the country will face greater struggles in its fight against power shortage in the quarters ahead.

We expect Kazakhstan's mining industry value to reach US$30.7bn by 2017, down from our previous forecast in light of our view of an overall decline in commodity prices. Growth will be led almost entirely by the coal, gold and copper sectors, which together account for the majority of the value of Kazakhstan's mining industry. Copper production is also a bright spot in the country, given aggressive expansion plans by Kazakhmys and Rio Tinto's commitment to invest US$100mn in exploring northern Kazakhstan for copper.

Facial Care in Finland by Mintel Global Market Navigator provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2012. This market covers anti-ageing, skin whiteners/lighteners, hydrating/moisturising, cleansers/toners, masks and specialised facial skin care products for women. It excludes medicated products such as acne treatments. Market value is based on sales through all retail channels including direct to consumer. It includes mass market and prestige lines but excludes the professional sector, including beauty salons, to the consumer. Market size for Facial Care in Finland is given in EUR with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Finland. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.

There is currently a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the future of Romanian petrochemicals producer Oltchim following the decision to file for insolvency in January 2013 after an attempt to privatise the firm failed. Nevertheless, the relatively strong domestic market is registering growth in the consumption of petrochemicals - particularly in the construction and automotive sectors - and with domestic production at low levels due to structural and financial problems within the industry, Romania appears to be one of the few European markets with the potential for import growth.

INPEX Angola Block 14 Ltd., an affiliate of INPEX Corporation (INPEX), has agreed to acquire a 9.99% indirect interest in Block 14, offshore Angola, from Total S.A. (Total). Prior to the transaction, Total had a 20% stake in the block. Total intends to transfer its 20% stake in Block 14 to a newly-formed Total affiliate, Angola Block 14 B.V., in which INPEX will become a shareholder. Following the transaction, Total will own a 10.01% stake, while Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited, Sonangol Pesquisa e Producao, S.A., Eni Angola Exploration, B.V. and Galp Exploracao e Producao Petrolifera, S.A. will continue to own 31%, 20%, 20% and 9% of the block, respectively. The transaction remains subject to certain conditions, including the approval of Angolan authorities.

Shampoo & Conditioners in Netherlands by Mintel Global Market Navigator provides you with annual year-end market size data, most recently updated in 2012. This market covers shampoos and hair conditioners for men, women and includes unisex products. Market value is based on sales through all retail channels including direct to consumer, but excludes the professional sector including hairdresser sales to the consumer. Market size for Shampoo & Conditioners in Netherlands is given in EUR with a minimum of five years' historical data. Market Forecast is provided for five years. Included with this snapshot is socio-economic data for Netherlands. Population, Consumer Price Index (CPI), Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Exchange Rates.