FDBusiness.com

64,000 extra water coolers were installed across West Europe in 2015, marking a 2.3% increase and taking the total to 2.9 million, according to a new report from the sector’s leading specialist consultancy Zenith International.

The number of bottled water coolers edged up by 0.1%, their first growth since 2006.  The figure for point of use mains water coolers units rose by a further 5.1%, continuing their advance towards gaining a majority share. They now account for 44.9% of the market, compared with 43.8% in 2014.

The United Kingdom retains the lead for water cooler installations at 22.4% of the total. Italy and France also saw modest gains, at 17.5% and 16.0% shares respectively. The growth in bottled water coolers was driven mainly by Italy (+3.8%) and Spain (+3.3%). Mains water coolers achieved double digit growth in Austria, Portugal, Switzerland and France, closely followed by Germany and Spain with growth of over 9%.

“The water cooler industries in many of the bigger European markets have returned to a stable growth path, fuelled by a positive economic climate, greater business confidence and stronger perceptions of water as a healthy means of hydration,” comments Zenith International Market Analyst Iuliana Boda.

In a third consecutive year of growth, the volume of water sold through bottled water coolers in West Europe rose by 1.6% in 2015 to 1,247 million litres, with significant gains in the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and Portugal. A hot summer had a major influence on this.

Zenith forecasts that, by 2020 the total West European market will advance a further 11% to 3.2 million units, with mains water coolers accounting for 49% of the total.

The 2016 Zenith Report on West Europe Water Coolers contains over 500 pages of market commentary, charts and tables including 16 country profiles and over 150 company profiles. Contact Zenith International on tel +44 (0)1225 327900 or e-mail info@zenithinternational.com.