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The market entry of parallel importers increased price competition in Swedish emergency contraception in 2011. Increased price competition contributed to a slowdown in value growth.

Euromonitor International's Industrial reports provide a 360 degree view of an industry. The Industrial market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the Spirits market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

Euromonitor International's Industrial reports provide a 360 degree view of an industry. The Industrial market report offers a comprehensive guide to the size and shape of the Education market at a national level. It provides the latest retail sales data, allowing you to identify the sectors driving growth. It identifies the leading companies, the leading brands and offers strategic analysis of key factors influencing the market - be they new product developments, packaging innovations, economic/lifestyle influences, distribution or pricing issues. Forecasts illustrate how the market is set to change.

Brazil's annual per capita egg consumption of 7.5kg is below the world average of 8.8kg and lower than the corresponding averages for Latin America (9.7kg), China (20kg), the US (14kg) and France (12.6kg). The consumption of eggs is not as high in Brazil due to the fact that they are not traditionally consumed at breakfast.

Low altitude: As airlines cut economy cabin meals, operators add premium first-class options

The collapse of the housing and commercial building markets adversely affected the industry; fewer buildings being built meant less demand for the cement used in those projects. However, the industry is set to improve, as the construction markets are anticipated to make a recovery. Furthermore, state and federal government funding for large-scale infrastructure projects such as highway and street construction will provide a steady source of demand for cement manufacturers.

BMI is forecasting a recession in Iran in 2012 and 2013 as the Middle Eastern country struggles to maintain itself economically in the face of sanctions against its crude oil exports, the primary source of revenue in the country. Despite this BMI's freight transport team projects growth at the country's primary container port Bandar Abbas, albeit at less than 1%. The other freight modes of air, rail and road are to experience similarly sedate growth this year.

GlobalData's new report "Eagle Ford Shale in the US, 2012 - Oil Shale Market Analysis and Forecasts to 2020" which provides insight into the oil and gas exploration and development potential in the Eagle Ford shale. The report also provides details of the key exploration areas and major companies exploring various fields in the Eagle Ford shale. The report also highlights the parameters for exploration and production, and discusses major activities of the top five companies in the Eagle Ford shale. The report discusses drilling activities in the Eagle Ford shale, detailing the companies involved and their coverage across the different fields of Texas in the play. The report also provides a production forecast of the Eagle Ford shale till 2020.

As the sold-off segment of Constellation Brands' European and Australian wine business, Accolade finds itself holding a plethora of brands in low-margin territories at a time when brand equity is difficult to achieve. However the company has its sights set on China, perhaps the biggest prize of all. In this report Euromonitor International assesses the outlook for the divested business of the former global wine industry leader.

In 2011, 18% of the Norwegian adult population smoked daily, with the percentage of male smokers marginally higher. The government is determined to decrease the number of smokers in Norway and takes some drastic steps to achieve its goal. On 1 January 2010, Norway was among the first countries to place a ban on the visible display of tobacco products in stores. The display ban is only one of many obstacles the government has implemented to discourage smoking. Taxes and fees, in addition to the...

Best Western recorded strong growth in revenue in 2011 further to the introduction of its brand "product descriptors". More hotel openings across Europe, the US, Russia, China and Latin America have driven positive growth and the company continued to introduce aggressive marketing campaigns, with an increasing online exposure through social media. Going forward the company is seen expanding in new markets, and better segmenting the market to target different groups of consumers.

Retail sales of weight management products in the UK declined by 2% in current value terms in 2011, to GBP126 million. The sharp slump of GlaxoSmithKline Plc's OTC obesity pill Alli (value sales decline of 20%) had a major impact on the category. Excluding Alli's OTC obesity, weight management enjoyed current value growth of 3% in 2011. This reflects a feeling expressed in trade interviews that notwithstanding its more recent loss of market credibility, the product has helped to attract new...

Built up: Public-sector investment into transportation and other projects will aid revenue

The Thailand Petrochemicals Report examines the long-term potential of the highly competitive local industry as well as the short-term effects of post-flooding reconstruction and the slowdown in key export markets.

BMI View: The reduction in healthcare subsidies for permanent residents (PRs) in Singapore, which is to be implemented in two phases over the coming 12 months, is a politically driven move rather than a genuine restructuring of the public healthcare system. The policy also fails to address current healthcare concerns, which include rising costs, long hospital waiting times and a lack of beds. For the time being, we hold to our market forecasts, on the basis of continuing need for treatment and the fact that PRs accounted for only 5% of the 13,000 subsidised patients in hospitals and 5% of the 144,000 subsidised patients in specialist clinics in 2011. We have, however, revised up our forecast for Singapore's healthcare spending, following the receipt of the most recent market information and reappraisal of historical data.

The Poland Real Estate report examines the Commercial Office, Retail and Industrial segments throughout the country in the context of one of the few major economies in Europe to have escaped recession.

The UAE Retail Report examines the long-term potential of the local consumer market, but flags shortterm concerns about the impact on the UAE's economic outlook of lacklustre growth in the private nonhydrocarbon sector because of weak credit conditions.

Core Views Elevated risks of instability in Israel's neighbours, including Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank and Gaza, have raised political risks, and investors' risk appetite may be tempered by the potential for a spillover of instability into the country's borders. We highlight rising tension with Iran as a particular concern. The probability of a successful peace negotiation between Israel and the Palestinian territories has declined markedly, as the Palestinian Authority has sought reconciliation with Hamas and a unilateral path to statehood through the UN. The economy's growth momentum is set to slow in the quarters ahead. Headwinds from the slowing global economy, as well as higher energy prices - which will weigh on private consumption - will drag on headline growth throughout the year. We forecast real GDP growth of 3.2% in 2012, down from an estimated 4.8% in 2011. Major Forecast Changes We expect Israel's fiscal deficit to increase in 2012. Recently announced spending measures are a further signal that the government's fiscal consolidation plans have taken a back seat, while a precarious macroeconomic outlook will shrink tax revenues and push the shortfall further into the red. We have revised up our 2012 budget deficit forecast from 2.8% of GDP to 3.8%, compared with 3.1% in 2011. Key Risk To Outlook House prices in Israel have risen rapidly in recent years, raising concerns that a bubble has formed in the property market. However, an increase in supply, coupled with macroprudential measures on the part of the government designed to bring down prices, have seen the market cooling rapidly in the past few months. A sharp drop in prices could lead to a decline in residential construction, weighing on fixed investment throughout the year. A sharper-than-expected downturn in the global economy - which could be sparked by a credit event in Europe or a 'hard landing' in the Chinese economy - would hit Israel's economy badly. Exports have already been hit by stagnant demand in Europe and elsewhere, and a further slowdown in external demand would see the outlook for exports deteriorating even further.

Cat food had 3% value growth in 2011, reaching C$655 million while volume sales had a moderate 1% increase to reach 153,342 tonnes. The rising cost of pet ownership placed considerable pressure on consumers, who became more selective and cautious when making food purchases for their pet cats. Sales of dry cat food continued to outpace wet cat food. In 2011, sales rose by 5% to reach C$376 million while volume increased by 2%, reaching 101,525 tonnes.

Black standard tea is a traditional and highly popular drink in India and accounted for some 84% of tea retail volume sales in 2011. However, urban health conscious Indians are increasingly curious about testing new products. Green tea and speciality tea are growing at a faster rate than black standard tea. In addition, Hindustan Unilever is introducing new ranges of flavours under its Brooke Bond Taj Mahal brand in order to cater to these changing tastes. The company claims that these new...

In 2011, jeans performed better than overall clothing in France. Indeed, despite the fact that French consumers continued to reduce their overall spending in terms of apparel purchases, they still purchased jeans as it remained an indispensable fashion garment in their wardrobe. Moreover, the fashion trends of skinny jeans also contributed to boost overall sales of jeans in 2011, as it became increasingly popular in France.

Confectionery is generally consumed as an energy-boost snack or meal-ender. This explains why all food retail outlets stock sweets, for example. Confectionery is taking the place of desserts as a meal-ender, partly because it is available in single-serve packs.

American Express' travel services experienced positive growth for the second consecutive year thanks to continued innovation in new products and services targeting an increasingly varied consumer base. Although competition from OTAs is increasing, American Express retains a strong position on the market thanks to its powerful brand and marketing efforts. The company is also expected to maintain healthy performance by reaching out to new markets more efficiently through a new structure.