Asia Pacific

The smoking population in Hong Kong has been steadily declining thanks to the strong smoking cessation campaigns implemented by the government over the past decades. Through education and banning the sale of e-cigarettes in 2022, the government has…

Bazaars remain a favourite shopping channel for non-grocery products. Low-income shoppers, tourists, and anyone looking for a wide variety of items that they can negotiate prices on all frequently turn to bazaars. The abundance of products and the…

In 2022, rising inflation rates and the increasing cost of living had a significant impact on spending in non-grocery retail, in constant terms. The channels that were most affected were home improvement stores, followed by apparel and footwear…

In spite of high inflation caused by the war in nearby Ukraine and ensuing economic uncertainty, non-grocery retailers registered a slight increase in constant value sales in 2022. The return of foot traffic, post pandemic lockdowns, helped…

2022 saw the fuller return of consumers to offline shopping in Azerbaijan. Following two years of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related lockdowns and restrictions, local consumers prioritised store-based outlets in 2022, and visited shopping malls…

The global energy crisis has had far-reaching implications for consumers, businesses and entire economies, highlighting the importance of the global energy transition and boosting energy efficiency, while creating opportunities for innovation and…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…

The global labour markets are rapidly evolving, influenced by demographic shifts, technological advancements, changing workforce preferences, and unexpected events. While this transformation impacts costs, productivity and economic growth, it also…

The world is rapidly evolving due economic, political, geographic and climate changes. This is contributing to a change in consumer’s habit and behaviour as they try to keep pace with these newer developments. Deeper understanding of these changes…

It is important to understand how urbanisation is being driven in emerging markets, and how new suburban developments are occurring in developed markets, what changes in household types and sizes will occur, and how the modern home will evolve,…

Due to changing global demographics and unfolding financial and environmental concerns, consumption patterns have been evolving over the recent years, accelerating the shift towards more budget-conscious and eco-aware shopping. As changing consumer…

After decades of low inflation, economies, companies and consumers worldwide struggle to cope with the surging cost-of-living crisis. While the costs are proliferating, the expansion in remuneration is slow. This squeeze on living standards leads to…

Nappies/diapers/pants continued to report strong growth in current value and retail volume terms in 2023 backed by rising income levels, urbanisation and a rapidly expanding distribution reach. This growth was also attributed to the increased…

Sales in nappies/diapers/pants in Uzbekistan continued to be supported by demographic factors in 2023, with healthy birth rates noted. As seen in menstrual care, nappies/diapers/pants is also on an upwards trajectory in the country, as consumer…

Retail sales of nappies/diapers/pants in the Philippines saw positive growth in current value terms in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. However, this was attributable to a large extent to inflationary pressures, as manufacturers,…