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Food Retailing in Europe - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2024-2029)

ISIC 4721 March 2024 Spotlight Report

Revenue

€100.8bn

2019-2024 7.7 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

1m

2019-2024 0.9 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Businesses

435k

2019-2024 0.4 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Profit

€X.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %

Profit Margin

X.X%

2019-2024 X.X pp

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

Food Retailing in Europe industry analysis

Revenue in Europe’s food retailing industry is expected to slump at a compound annual rate of 7.7% to €100.8 billion in the five years through 2024. Growing competition from supermarkets is driving consumers away from the industry, as supermarkets offer much more competitively priced meat, fish, bread and fresh fruit and vegetables. The industry is susceptible to changes in household disposable income, which has been eroded throughout Europe over 2023 and 2024 as inflationary pressures plague consumers' pockets.

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  • Market estimates from 2014 - 2029
  • Detailed reports analysing industry performance, market dynamics and company data, compared across countries
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Food Retailing in Europe key trends

Competition from supermarkets threatens the industry.

 

Supermarkets are increasingly incorporating fresh grocery counters; with more power when negotiating the landing price of produce, their prices are more competitive than specialist food retailers.

Sustainability-sourced food will climb in popularity.

 

Consumers are increasingly aware of the risks posed by marine fishing and farming and will seek sustainability-sourced alternatives.

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Food Retailing in Europe

Industry Revenue

Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.

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Food Retailing in Europe market size (2019-2024)

Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 7.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €100.8bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Fierce competition from supermarkets has threatened the food retailing industry

  • Larger supermarkets continue to alienate consumers from the industry as they intensify their price competition and offer consumers attractive discounts, which independent food retailers struggle to match.

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Food Retailing in Europe outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.

The continued change in consumer preferences will limit the industry’s growth

  • Consumers increasingly adopting healthier eating habits will continue to surge upwards, posing a threat to the industry's meat and bakery retail sectors.

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Revenue

€100.8bn

2019-2024 7.7 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Employees

1m

2019-2024 0.9 %
2024-2029 X.X %

Wages

€XX.Xbn

2019-2024 X.X %
2024-2029 X.X %

European Leaders & Laggards

Europe Job Growth CAGR: 0.9 % *
  • Job Growth

Top 5 Countries

  1. Hungary +9.9%
  2. Austria +5.9%
  3. Croatia +5.3%
  4. Serbia +2.7%
  5. Cyprus +1.1%

Bottom 5 Countries

  1. Sweden -4.5%
  2. Germany-2.4%
  3. Russia -1.4%
  4. Bosnia & Herzegovina -1.4%
  5. Romania -1.4%

* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.

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Biggest companies in the Food Retailing in Europe

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Profit (€m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Greggs plc
2,072.4
234.9
11.3
Groupe Blachere
1,290.1
157.3
12.2
Boulangeries Paul SAS
N/A
N/A
N/A

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Food Retailing in Europe

Products & Services Segmentation

Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.

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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Food Retailing industry in Europe in 2024?

The market size of the Food Retailing industry in Europe is €100.8bn in 2024. 

How many businesses are there in the Food Retailing in Europe industry in 2024?

There are 435k businesses in the Food Retailing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Food Retailing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Food Retailing industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 0.4 % between 2019 and 2024. 

What is the forecast growth of the Food Retailing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Food Retailing industry in Europe is expected to decline.

What are the biggest companies in the Food Retailing market in Europe?

The biggest companies operating in the Food Retailing market in Europe are Greggs plc, Groupe Blachere and Boulangeries Paul SAS

What does the Food Retailing in Europe include?

Meat and Fruit and vegetables are part of the Food Retailing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Food Retailing in Europe?

The company holding the most market share in Europe is Greggs plc.

Which countries have the most businesses in the Food Retailing industry in Europe?

The European country with the most businesses in the Food Retailing industry is Russia.

How competitive is the Food Retailing industry in Europe?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Food Retailing industry in Europe.

Related Industries

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Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

This industry consists of food retailers, which may sell fruit, vegetable, meat, fish and bakery products. This industry excludes the retail sale of food by mass retailers such as supermarkets and department stores.

Related Terms

CRUSTACEANSCULTIVATED MEAT ORGANIC FOOD CONFECTIONERY

What's included in this industry?

MeatFruit and vegetables Seafood Seafood

Companies

Greggs plcGroupe BlachereBoulangeries Paul SAS

Industry Code

ISIC 2006

4721 - Retail sale of food in specialized stores in Europe

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Performance

Key Takeaways

Fierce competition from supermarkets has threatened the food retailing industry

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Revenue Highlights

Trends
  • Revenue
  • 2024 Revenue CAGR
  • Revenue Volatility

Employment Highlights

Trends
  • Employees
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Employee

Business Highlights

Trends
  • Businesses
  • Employees per Business
  • Revenue per Business

Profit Highlights

Trends
  • Total Profit
  • Profit Margin
  • Profit per Business

Current Performance

Charts
  • Revenue in the Food Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Employees in the Food Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Business in the Food Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
  • Profit in the Food Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis

What's driving current industry performance in the Food Retailing in Europe industry?


Outlook

Analysis

What's driving the Food Retailing in Europe industry outlook?


Volatility

Analysis

What influences volatility in the Food Retailing in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix

Life Cycle

Analysis

What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Food Retailing in Europe industry?

Charts
  • Industry Life Cycle Matrix

Products and Markets

Highlights

Trends
  • Largest Market
  • Product Innovation

Key Takeaways

Income and preferences dictate specialised food markets. High-income households seek premium food products, while lower-income consumers prioritise affordability, meaning they tend to opt for supermarket food offerings.

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Products and Services

Charts
  • Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis

How are the Food Retailing in Europe industry's products and services performing?

Analysis

What are innovations in the Food Retailing in Europe industry's products and services?


Major Markets

Charts
  • Major Market Segmentation
Analysis

What influences demand in the Food Retailing in Europe industry?


International Trade

Highlights

  • Largest Importer
  • Smallest Importer
  • Total Imports into Europe
  • Largest Exporter
  • Smallest Exporter
  • Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
  • Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
  • Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables

Value and annual change (%) included

  • Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)

Geographic Breakdown

Business Locations

Heat maps
  • Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
  • Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)

Industry Geographic Breakdown

Data Tables

Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:

  • Revenue (2024)
  • IVA (2024)
  • Enterprises (2024)
  • Employment (2024)
  • Exports (2024)
  • Imports (2024)

Competitive Forces

Highlights

Trends
  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power

Key Takeaways

High fragmentation in the industry prevents concentration. industry’s high fragmentation limits concentration, as food retailers are typically popular within their local area, with the majority of food retailers being independent.

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Supply Chain

Charts

Buyer and supply industries

Companies

Market Share

Charts
  • Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)

Companies

Data Tables

Top 10 companies by market share:

  • Market share (2024)
  • Revenue (2024)
  • Profit (2024)
  • Profit Margin (2024)

Data Tables
  • Countries of operation for Greggs plc
  • Countries of operation for Groupe Blachere
  • Countries of operation for Boulangeries Paul SAS
  • Countries of operation for Vinzenzmurr Vertriebs GmbH
  • Countries of operation for Riverford Organic Farmers Ltd
  • Countries of operation for Pierre Herme Paris SAS
  • Countries of operation for Patisserie E.Laduree SAS
  • Countries of operation for Agromart Balear SL
  • Countries of operation for Frutas Eloy Ruano SL
  • Countries of operation for Ginger Pig Ltd

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

The Food Safety Act 1990 plays a big role in the industry. The act stipulates that all businesses involved in food must ensure that they do not include anything in the food that is damaging to the health of those eating it.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Food Retailing in Europe industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Premium food retailers earn a larger profit. Food retailers selling premium groceries can retail at higher prices and earn a higher profit.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Food Retailing in Europe industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and boottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2024)
  • Business Growth (2024)
  • Job Growth (2024)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2024)
  • Imports/Demand (2024)
  • Exports/Revenue (2024)
  • Revenue per Employee (2024)
  • Wages/Revenue (2024)
  • Employees per Establishment (2024)
  • Average Wage (2024)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.

To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.