Menswear sales in Romania experienced moderate growth in 2025, driven by increasing adoption of digital solutions and a growing preoccupation with personal image among Romanian men. Gross income per capita in Romania increased by 10% to RON78,756 in 2025. Consequently, consumer expenditure on clothing also grew, with a total spend of RON44.4 billion in 2025. Despite economic challenges, the menswear category benefited from growing awareness of international trends and innovations. The market is

The jeans market in Romania experienced modest growth in 2025, with total retail sales of RON4.0 billion, representing a 5% increase from the previous year, but just a 1% increase in volume terms. This slow growth was largely influenced by economic pressures and cautious consumer behaviour, with rising raw material costs and ongoing supply chain challenges, particularly the war in Ukraine, being major contributing factors. Despite these challenges, the market is expected to continue growing, dri

In 2025, childrenswear in Romania grew by 4% to reach a value of RON2.7 billion, driven by changing consumer habits and a trend towards sustainability and inclusivity. Romanian parents favoured the low-cost mass value segment options represented by companies such as Pepco and H&M, leading to further market polarisation. However, an increase in overall levels of disposable income supported the trend towards quality and sustainability. Premium brands experienced lower sales in comparison with budg

Apparel accessories in Romania experienced 3% growth in retail value sales in 2025, reaching RON604 million, driven by the increasing use of influencers and digital marketing, as well as a growing interest in sustainability and inclusivity. The market is expected to reach a value of RON746 million in 2030, registering a 4% current value CAGR. Growth has been driven by technological advancements in internet retailing and the influence of social media and the increasing presence of e-commerce, par

The Romanian womenswear market experienced moderate growth in 2025, driven by consumers’ continued prioritisation of personal appearance despite economic pressures. Gross income per capita in Romania increased to RON78,755 in 2025, indicating a slight increase in disposable income. Sustainability and inclusivity are significant trends affecting value sales growth, with consumers favouring eco-friendly brands and products made from recycled fibres and upcycled materials. The growth of resale and

The Romanian apparel and footwear market demonstrated a mixed performance in 2025, with limited volume growth but more significant value growth, driven by the dominance of low-cost players and a growing appetite for premium and eco-friendly products. The market is expected to see continued growth driven by digitalisation, sustainable practices, and premiumisation, with retail sales forecast to increase at a CAGR of 5% to RON39.4 billion by 2030. This growth will be supported by an anticipated in

Romania's footwear sales saw a rise in retail value terms driven by premiumisation, with value sales reaching RON8.6 billion in 2025, representing 4% growth. Women's footwear remains the largest category in 2025, with retail value sales of RON5 billion, significantly higher than men's and children's footwear based on far greater consumer demand in volume terms. Women’s footwear is increasingly being driven by versatile and comfortable products. The market overall is characterised by a growing de

The sportswear market in Romania experienced significant growth in 2025, driven by increasing consumer adoption of active lifestyles and the rising popularity of e-commerce. Retail value sales of sportswear in Romania reached RON4.2 billion in 2025, representing 10% growth from 2024. This growth is expected to continue, with a forecast CAGR of 7% over the period to 2030. The market is becoming increasingly polarised, with consumers migrating towards low-cost retailers and more affluent consumers

The hosiery market in Romania experienced a slowdown in current value growth in 2025, largely due to consumers holding onto products for longer due to declining purchasing power. Despite this, the current sale value grew by 4% to RON703 million, influenced by increasing tech-savviness among consumers and the adoption of AI-powered technologies by e-commerce platforms. Non-sheer hosiery remained the largest category, driven by consumer demand for comfort, stretch, and style. Looking ahead, the de

In 2024, Romania’s packaging industry faced notable changes, driven by solidified priorities in sustainability, shifting consumer expectations and economic pressures. Companies across various industries increasingly sought to make packaging more environmentally friendly, focusing on recyclable, lightweight and mono-material solutions. This trend was largely influenced by stricter regulatory standards and the growing interest of consumers in eco-orientated products.

Retail value sales of coffee in Romania grew substantially in 2025, with performance shaped by the interplay between persistent cost-of-living pressures and structurally rising engagement with coffee as a daily habit and lifestyle marker. On the one hand, consumers faced higher energy and food prices, as well as elevated coffee unit prices, which constrained impulse purchasing and encouraged greater price sensitivity and attention to promotions. On the other hand, the behavioural shifts that beg

Bottled water continued to perform positively in 2025 as Romanian consumers increasingly prioritised perceived safety, purity and naturalness in their hydration choices. Persistent concerns regarding the potability of tap water remained among the strongest drivers of category demand, particularly in rural regions and older urban neighbourhoods where water quality perceptions are weakest. This coincided with a broader shift towards healthier, less processed soft drinks, prompting many consumers t

Soft drinks in Romania experienced a mixed performance in 2025 as inflationary pressure, VAT increases and broader austerity measures continued to impact household budgets. Despite this challenging economic backdrop, off-trade volume sales edged upwards overall, supported by comparatively resilient categories such as bottled water, juice and sports drinks. Carbonates, by contrast, declined as consumers increasingly reduced discretionary purchases and prioritised beverages perceived as natural, f

Concentrates recorded a modest improvement in retail volume terms in 2025, as the broader economic climate continued to push many Romanian households towards more affordable beverage formats. Ongoing increases in living costs – including higher energy expenses, rising VAT and excise duties, and the indirect effect of the deposit-return system on overall grocery budgets – made consumers increasingly price sensitive. As a result, concentrates regained some relevance as an economical option, partic

The carbonates category continued to contract in 2025 as the combined effect of inflationary pressure, sugar taxation, VAT increases and the financial implications of the Deposit-Return System (DRS) drove consumers towards more affordable or healthier soft drinks alternatives. Heightened price sensitivity intensified across all demographic groups, particularly following the compounding effect of the sugar tax introduced in 2024 and the subsequent VAT adjustments on sugary beverages. These shifts

RTD tea recorded a positive year in 2025 as more Romanians migrated away from carbonates towards beverages perceived as healthier, more natural and less calorie-dense. RTD tea particularly benefitted from growing awareness of sugar-related health risks and the rising popularity of beverages with cleaner labels and more transparent ingredient profiles. Still variants held strong appeal due to their reduced sweetness compared with many carbonated drinks, enabling RTD tea to position itself as a ba

The performance of hot drinks in Romania in 2025 was shaped first and foremost by the cost-of-living crisis, which intensified following the full liberalisation of household energy prices from 1 July and the increase in VAT on foodservice from 9% to 11% from 1 August. These two measures added pressure to already stretched household budgets, prompting consumers to reassess everyday spending, including on coffee and tea consumed both at home and in consumer foodservice. Within this challenging mac

Retail value sales of tea in Romania increased notably in 2025, but this value growth masks a continuation of volume decline as the high cost of living and post-pandemic lifestyle normalisation weighed on everyday tea consumption. On the one hand, rising energy, food and general living costs left many households more cautious about discretionary purchases and more inclined to prioritise beverages that deliver stronger perceived emotional or social returns, such as coffee. On the other hand, the

Retail value sales of other hot drinks in Romania rose notably in 2025, although this value improvement largely reflected higher average unit prices rather than strong underlying demand. Consumer behaviour continued to be shaped by elevated living costs, and the category’s small, peripheral role within hot drinks made it particularly sensitive to pressure on household budgets. Chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks, long positioned as nutritious options for children, saw a softening in volumes

RTD coffee experienced robust development in 2025, driven by Romania’s rapidly evolving coffee culture and by the continued premiumisation of the broader soft drinks landscape. Consumers increasingly associate coffee with craftsmanship, flavour sophistication and personal routine enhancement, lifting expectations for quality whether coffee is consumed at home, in cafés or on the go. This elevated appreciation strengthened spillover demand for RTD coffee, which is perceived as a convenient extens

The juice category continued to expand in 2025 as Romanian consumers increasingly prioritised products perceived as healthier and more natural, particularly in comparison with carbonates, which became less attractive due to taxation, reformulation concerns, and weakening household budgets. Juice benefited from a shift in consumption prompted by broader wellness aspirations, with many consumers turning to nectars and 100% juice as more balanced, premium alternatives that deliver flavour and perce

Energy drinks in Romania experienced another challenging year in 2025, as the market continued to absorb the cumulative effects of major regulatory and economic disruptions. The sales ban for under-18s – implemented in 2024 and extended to vending machines, schools, hospitals and other public institutions – had a deep and lasting impact, removing a significant portion of the historical consumer base. Alongside this, the category faced intensifying public scrutiny, with the National Institute of

Sports drinks continued to gain traction in 2025 as Romanian consumers increasingly integrated physical activity into their daily lives. The post-pandemic shift towards wellbeing, combined with a stronger cultural emphasis on fitness and outdoor recreation, sustained interest in hydration products designed to support performance. Gym memberships expanded, participation in organised sports increased and activities such as football, running, hiking and tennis became more embedded in routines acros

Retail value sales of baked goods rose steadily in 2025, supported by rising prices and increased demand for premium lines, including frozen baked goods and healthier breads. Consumers rely on artisanal producers, although modern retailers are flexing their muscle with the expansion of in-store bakeries and private label development.