Africa

Morocco’s latest unemployment data exhibits a rise to almost 13% in the first three months of 2023, from just over 12% over the same period last year, as the farming sector shrunk due to the worst drought in decades, directly affecting the sector’s…

A new government inherited a sluggish economy, record debt and shrinking oil output, due to creaking infrastructure. On foot of this, the government has implemented some difficult decisions in order to stabilise the economy, including ending a…

Demand for consumer credit gross lending is set to continue to increase in 2023, despite the South African Reserve Bank’s consecutive rises in interest rates to stabilise inflationary pressures. This trend has been driven mainly by declining…

Consumer electronics is under pressure in 2023 as the Egyptian economy is confronted by exceptional economic challenges. In the face of rising prices, current value sales recorded double-digit growth in 2023. However, demand has waned for consumer…

Multiple factors have been putting downward pressure on consumer electronics sales in Morocco, of which high taxes and consumer price sensitivity are just a few. Moreover, recent crises related to the pandemic and the war in Ukraine have exacerbated…

The picture is expected to be bleak for consumer electronics in 2023, with overall volume sales expected to fall. A new government inherited a sluggish economy, record debt and shrinking oil output, due to creaking infrastructure. On foot of this,…

Despite marginal retail volume declines in early 2024, demand for consumer electronics in South Africa remains above pre-pandemic levels. The severity of this decline differs across categories, with portable consumer electronics recording the lowest…

Consumer foodservice through lodging registered among the highest growth rates in current value terms in consumer foodservice by location, as tourism recovered in the wake of the pandemic and the full reopening of society. The industry is betting on…

Major chains of restaurants and cafés are opening and expanding across Morocco in line with development of infrastructure, tourism and the broader urbanisation trend. Chains are taking over from smaller, independent food outlets in Morocco,…

Consumer foodservice through standalone is driving growth of consumer foodservice in Nigeria. Standalone eateries are popular amongst local consumers as they are larger and more spacious than other foodservice locations. To meet demand, foodservice…

The pandemic and its subsequent restrictions imposed on travel had a significant impact on the entire tourism industry, including consumer foodservice through travel. This location recorded the most severe declines in 2020, as, whilst all locations…

The consumer foodservice industry has had a strong year overall. Delivery services have grown and expanded into new regions while new infrastructure developments have opened space for more outlets. Most importantly independent restaurants have grown…

Consumer foodservice in Morocco witnessed steady growth in 2023, despite the pressing issue of high inflation. In the face of rising prices, locals have changed how they eat, with simpler meals and eating out less frequently becoming more…

Weakened economic fundamentals have negatively impacted Nigerian consumers’ purchasing power in 2023, resulting in slow growth of consumer foodservice. The cash crunch in the first quarter of the year as a result of the central bank changing the…

The trading environment in South Africa paints a bleak picture; post-pandemic recovery hindered by deteriorating local economic conditions, including erratic electricity supply, weak growth and high levels of inflation. South Africa’s food price…

The overall picture is expected to be positive in consumer healthy in 2023, as the economy performs well. The increase in natural gas export prices has helped offset the dip in oil prices. However, inflation remains high and the currency has devalued…

The depreciation of the local currency made imports more expensive at the end of the review period. This had a significant impact on the supply of and demand for imported products, in a country where the majority of medication is imported.…

Cameroon was not as affected by the energy crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine as many other countries. Rising global energy prices gave a boost to government coffers and helped stabilise the economy. However, ongoing civil conflict, as well as…

In 2023, urbanisation, population growth and health and wellness drove retail sales. Most consumers self-medicated as the cheaper option and due to limited access to doctors outside of key cities. An overburdened public health sector and expensive…

Egyptian consumer health is set to post positive growth in 2023, with analgesics boosting retail value sales, benefiting from an ongoing demand due to the variety of symptoms it treats. Aligned with the rising health trends, vitamins and dietary…

A high rate of inflation, averaging 30% in 2023, forced consumers to cut down on spending on non-essential items, and even to reconsider the food they purchased to reduce their expenditure. Rx medications continued to be widely purchased under the…

In 2023, Ghana is witnessing inflation, leading consumers to choose more affordable options like herbal/traditional products due to their more affordable prices. Similar to other sub-Saharan African markets, the use of herbal/traditional products is…

Consumer health is expected to register healthy current value growth in 2023, although constant value growth is expected to grow only marginally. Kenyans are moving away from seeking healthcare services at hospitals and are keen to self-medicate,…

Total current value sales growth for consumer health in Morocco in 2023 is expected to be up considerably on 2022. While this is partly due to inflationary pressures fuelled by the global recovery from the pandemic and the fallout of Russia’s…

The harsh economic environment continued in 2023, challenging retail value sales in Nigeria and bolstering the use of counterfeit options in consumer health. However, barriers to healthcare increased the self-medication trend, driving the sale of OTC…

During the review period, many consumers have been facing financial difficulties as the cost of living in South Africa has been increasing on a monthly basis. For many consumers, their health is an afterthought with most instead prioritising…

In 2023, Tanzania faces high inflation and living costs, causing consumers to favour lower-priced generic medications over pricey international brands. Essential categories, such as analgesics, cough, cold, allergy remedies, and digestive remedies,…

Consumer health in Tunisia is facing a complex landscape characterised by several factors in 2023. Firstly, the global economic crisis has had a significant impact on the demand for consumer health products. With the cost of living rising sharply due…

Uganda’s economy saw real GDP growth of 5% in 2023 and this provided a boost to sales of some consumer health products. Self-medication is driving growth in consumer health in Uganda as consumers are finding it easier and cheaper to purchase…

Consumer credit and lending have experienced substantial growth in the past year. In March 2023, the Central Bank of Egypt reported a significant increase in consumer credit. The rise is attributed to an increase in both local and foreign currency…

While Morocco saw dynamic demand for consumer lending immediately post-pandemic as retailers and foodservice outlets reopened their doors to consumers, from September 2022 the market has been impacted by soaring prices impacting purchasing power…

Gross consumer lending is expected to register growth in 2023, but with inflation continuing to be very high, it will not go far in terms of consumer spending. A new government has implemented some difficult decisions in order to stabilise the…

The South African economy has continued to struggle in 2023, as reflected by 0.4% real GDP growth, the unemployment rate stagnating beyond 32%, and the South African rand depreciating further against major currencies. Economic growth has also been…

Demand for contact lenses and solutions in South Africa continues to rise, although in value terms, the category is considerably smaller compared to spectacles. Demand in the country is mainly driven by younger consumers. In South Africa, the wearing…

Convenience retailers in Egypt was affected by direct government efforts to support convenience stores. As the success of convenience stores is high, the government aims to stimulate new initiatives and facilitate bank loans to help local…

In 2023, Moroccan retailers faced heightened competition, compelling them to diversify their strategies to maintain market relevance and sustain growth. Convenience stores, in particular, encountered stiff competition not only from traditional…

The currency redesign initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria in early 2023 created significant challenges for convenience retailers. The scarcity of the local currency, coupled with Nigeria's predominantly cash-driven economy and a large segment of…

In 2023, convenience stores in South Africa continued to benefit from proximity to local households, with this format often used for daily or weekly top-ups. However, in suburban areas, the channel is increasingly being threatened by the emergence of…

An energy boom, caused by the war in Ukraine, continues to bolster national coffers in 2023. That being said, global inflationary pressures is leading to rising prices. As such, cooking ingredients and meals is expected to register an increase in…

In 2023, the COVID-19 pandemic is no longer a strong factor in the performance of cooking ingredients and meals, with the category now being impacted by global inflation instead. However, the annual inflation rate dropped to 11% in April 2023, the…

Cameroon was not as affected by the energy crisis stemming from the war in Ukraine as many other countries. Rising global energy prices in 2022 gave a boost to government coffers and helped stabilise the economy. However, ongoing civil conflict, as…

Demand continued to increase across most categories of cooking ingredients and meals in 2023 despite significant average unit price increases as high inflation eroded consumer spending power. General economic development, urbanisation and the spread…

2023 marks another downturn in the volumes of cooking ingredients and meals in Egypt, while value is supported by hikes in unit prices. Indeed, consumers in Egypt continue to face economic challenges, with global inflation and the rising costs of…

Edible oils continue to dominate cooking ingredients and meals. Demand is gradually shifting from palm oil to sunflower oil, as the latter is regarded as healthier by a growing number of local consumers. Meanwhile, stock cubes and powders and…

Price remains a pivotal factor during 2023 and continues to shape consumer choices. Consumers persist in making decisions, leaning towards more economical and affordable brands. Edible oils remain central to cooking, but retail sales dipped due to…

In 2023, packaged food in Kenya faces the challenge of high inflation, leading to a significant increase in unit prices. As a result, consumers are prioritising essential grocery items while cutting back on impulse or non-essential purchases. For…

Commodity prices recorded a rise in 2022, compared to the previous year, aggravated by war in Ukraine. However, the second half of the year saw a downward correction in prices, explained by the weakness of global demand. The national economy has…

Cooking ingredients and meals saw a relatively strong decline in 2023 despite the fact that its major categories consist of several products that are central to consumer diets and even considered to be essential. Inflationary pressures, which had…

2023 has been a tough financial year for consumers, with double-digit food inflation, rising interest rates, and rolling blackouts. Loadshedding significantly affects the entire supply chain, as well as consumers, as it has been implemented almost…

In 2023, cooking ingredients and meals has fully recovered from the destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. However, the industry now faces a new set of challenges. The international global fuel hikes and shortages have resulted…