Following a challenging year in 2025, the Austrian office furniture market is set to stabilise in 2026 as companies begin redesigning their work environments to create attractive alternatives to working from home. Height-adjustable sit-stand workstations alone are expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.8% through 2029 – significantly faster than the overall market. However, the real recovery is still ahead: for 2027, a marked acceleration in growth is anticipated, with the market projected to expand by 6.3% year-on-year. The Austrian market is expected to grow by a moderate 1.0% to EUR 262.3 million in 2026, following a decline of 7.9% in the previous year – a sign that confidence is returning, albeit cautiously. The slow start reflects the fact that, after a year of postponed investments, companies are still weighing whether to reinvest in office space, while construction activity is only gradually picking up. Central and Eastern Europe is recovering much faster: the CEE office furniture market is forecast to grow by 5.3% in 2026, reaching EUR 1.25 billion, supported by stronger underlying economic growth and a more active construction sector across the region. The two markets are also developing in different directions. Austria is the more ergonomics-focused market, where sit-stand workstations already account for 9.4% of sales, compared to just 2.5% in Central and Eastern Europe. This segment is experiencing the strongest growth in Austria, alongside lounge seating, which is designed to encourage informal interaction between colleagues. In contrast, the CEE market remains more traditional, with swivel chairs alone accounting for 31.7% of total sales. The sales structures highlight another divide between the two markets. In Austria, almost 59% of office furniture sales are made directly from manufacturers to customers, which is a distinctive feature of the Austrian market. In Central and Eastern Europe, direct sales account for only 39.7%. “In the medium term, the CEE region has very strong growth potential, as there is a trend towards higher-quality solutions. There is still plenty of room for growth,” says Frederik Lehner, Managing Director of InterConnection. In the coming years, competition will increasingly shift from products to workplace concepts. Manufacturers will need to offer solutions that combine ergonomics, flexibility and digital integration while also addressing growing customer price sensitivity. At the same time, the office is evolving into a place that fosters collaboration and corporate culture rather than simply providing desks and chairs. Looking ahead, both markets are expected to continue growing through 2029: Austria is projected to reach a market volume of EUR 303.1 million, while the CEE market is expected to approach EUR 1.46 billion, driven by ongoing investments in modern work environments and the continuing recovery of office construction activity.

The European thermal insulation market reaches €20.6 billion in 2026 and is pointing toward recovery — but with clear winners and losers depending on each country's energy policy. The great energy efficiency thermometer in Europe has two very different faces: while Turkey records growth of +16.2%in value in the thermal insulation sector, Italy falls -10.9% following the end of its Superbonus programme. The data reveals that regulation and public incentives are, today, the primary driver — or brake — of the market. This is the central finding of the IC Market Forecast – Thermal Insulation 2026, published by Interconnection Consulting. The report confirms that the sector has moved past its post-pandemic hangover and is poised for a steadier phase ahead, with market value expected to grow by 2.3% in 2026. This growth will be driven primarily by a renewed approach to energy efficiency in the residential sector, which is projected to account for 65% of total market demand. Mineral wool is forecast to lead on the product side with a 40.8% market share, while prices are expected to hold firm compared to previous years, even as high interest rates and weaker construction activity continue to create headwinds. The regional divergence is stark. Turkey leads European growth (16.2%) thanks to stricter insulation requirements and rigorous enforcement of energy efficiency regulations across both new builds and renovations. Bosnia follows with +10.0%, driven by rising energy and electricity costs alongside EU-backed subsidy programmes, while Portugal records +6.2% growth, benefiting from its national recovery plan and increasing demand tied to energy certification requirements in the property market. At the other end of the spectrum, Italy suffers the sharpest blow. The scaling back of the Superbonus — a fiscal incentive programme that had transformed the renovation sector — triggered a -10.9% contraction. The Nordic countries (-7.9%) and Slovenia (-6.6%) also retreated, weighed down by weakening residential construction and broader economic headwinds. The pattern across all underperforming markets is consistent: where policy incentives disappear or stall, so does demand. "Markets that successfully align regulation, energy costs, and renovation incentives will outperform the European average over the next growth cycle," says Robert Lukac, author of the study. Looking ahead, the outlook is cautiously optimistic. The European thermal insulation market is projected to reach €23.860 billion by 2029, sustained by renovation demand and long-term decarbonization targets. The shift toward high-performance and sustainable insulation materials is expected to shape both market dynamics and competitive positioning in the years ahead. The competitive landscape is shaped by major international players including Austrotherm, Bauder, Baumit, Ceresit, Etex, Kingspan, Knauf, Owens Corning, Rockwool, Ruukki, Saint-Gobain, Sto, Wacker and Xella, all playing a central role in driving innovation and defining the future of European insulation.

Spanish pet owners spend €34 less per year on pet food than Swiss consumers, one of Europe’s most mature pet markets. However, rather than reflecting lower commitment towards pets, this gap reveals a market characterised by strong loyalty, established purchasing habits, and increasingly informed consumers. This is one of the key findings of the study IC Customer Insight – Pets 2026 by Interconnection Consulting, based on more than 2,500 interviews with pet owners across Europe, including 504 respondents from Spain. The research highlights a market with distinct characteristics and considerable untapped growth opportunities, particularly outside the food category. While average annual spending on pet food in Spain is also €9.6 below Germany and €5.6 below Italy, the study concludes that lower spending does not imply lower consumer involvement. More than 60% of consumers purchase pet food products at least every two weeks, reflecting high levels of loyalty and highly stable purchasing routines. The report also highlights an increasingly informed market. Around 88.1% of consumers consider product composition a key purchasing factor, while 67.5% actively search for information before buying — the highest rate identified in the study. However, the situation changes considerably outside the food segment. Fewer than 30% of pet owners are able to spontaneously name a pet toy brand, reflecting an accessories market that remains underdeveloped in terms of brand positioning and consumer awareness. Spain also stands out due to the importance of veterinary clinics as a purchasing channel. With a market presence of 16.8%, veterinarians are not only healthcare advisors but also influential sales channels with significant impact on consumer purchasing decisions. "The Spanish market is far more mature than spending levels alone would suggest. Loyalty in pet food is already well established, but categories such as accessories and toys remain widely open from a brand positioning perspective. This creates a significant opportunity for manufacturers capable of building awareness and differentiation," says Aritz Blanco, author of the study at Interconnection Consulting.

Floors are changing across Europe. According to the study "IC Customer Insight – Floor Coverings in Germany, Poland, Spain 2025" by Interconnection Consulting — based on 1,455 interviews with homeowners aged 18+ across the three countries, covering material preferences, brand awareness, and buyer behavior — demand for Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) is on the rise. In Poland, 20.4% of non-satisfied homeowners are considering switching to LVT, while adoption in Germany already stands at 11.1%. Spain lags behind with 3.5%, but 12.6% plan to adopt it — highlighting a clear gap between current use and future demand. This shift is putting pressure on traditional materials such as parquet. While wood flooring remains popular in Poland and Spain, Germany shows a more advanced transition: 65.9% of LVT owners say they would not switch back, signaling strong consumer satisfaction and pointing to broader European trends. In contrast, ceramics remain dominant in wet areas. Tiles account for over 75% of bathrooms and kitchens across all three markets, confirming their continued relevance where moisture resistance is critical. Meanwhile, textile and carpet flooring are falling out of favor. Nearly half of surveyed homeowners — 45.9% across the three countries — are considering replacing them with an alternative floor covering. Spain leads this trend, with close to 50% of respondents willing to make the switch. Distribution dynamics are also evolving. Manufacturers are losing direct influence, ranking only third or fourth as a purchase channel, with their direct sales declaration share declining by 6.4 percentage points in Poland and 2.2 points in Germany in comparison to last year’s edition. Retailers and specialist dealers increasingly shape decisions: in Germany, DIY chains account for 53.7% of purchases, while in Poland and Spain specialist stores lead with 47.2% and 37.8%, respectively. Notably, in Spain nearly 30% of purchases are made via installers or interior designers. A major industry challenge is low brand visibility. Only 27.4% of homeowners can name the brand of their flooring, with figures as low as 19.7% in Germany. Instead, consumers recall retailers rather than manufacturers. At the same time, digital research is becoming essential. Across the three countries, 65.5% of consumers research flooring online before making a purchase, indicating a clear shift toward digital decision-making. “We are clearly seeing a market in transition. Consumer preferences are evolving faster than the installed base, while low brand awareness and the rise of digital research require companies to rethink how they engage with end customers,” said Aritz Blanco, author of the study. Overall, the data points to a market where demand is shifting, consumers are increasingly informed, and brands must adapt quickly to remain relevant.