India

A government-led financial inclusion initiative is enticing a burgeoning population to embrace the formal banking sector, which is acting in favour of further driving debit card penetration. The government’s financial inclusion initiative, also known…

A government-led financial inclusion initiative enticed a burgeoning population to embrace the formal banking sector, resulting in further uptake of financial cards, in particular, debit cards, in 2023. The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)…

Pre-paid card transactions witnessed healthy double-digit growth in transaction volumes over 2021-2022. However, in 2023, the category witnessed a decline in volume of transactions as consumers became increasingly inclined to choose alternative…

In 2022, retail volume sales of air treatment products in India, especially cooling products such as air conditioners and air coolers, recorded double-digit growth, due to factors such as pent-up demand, harsh summer conditions and greater consumer…

After a year of healthy growth in 2022, the demand for consumer appliances in India notably slowed in 2023, hindered by inflationary pressures and a cost-of-living crisis. This was one of the key themes that plagued the industry during the year.…

During the pandemic, dishwashers experienced a surge in sales as consumers were confined to their homes and therefore sought appliances that would help simplify household chores while they tried to balance work and childcare responsibilities.…

Food preparation appliances witnessed flat growth in 2023 due to slow demand as consumers diverted their share of wallet from durables and appliances to essential products. The cost-of-living crisis and inflation resulted in consumers pushing back…

After a year of strong recovery in 2022, the growth of home laundry appliances marginally slowed in 2023, but demand remained robust due to factors such as increasing penetration, a greater need for convenience-driven appliances, access to financing…

The category of large cooking appliances remained relatively small in 2023 due to cultural differences, wherein most local consumers rely heavily on freestanding appliances, such as freestanding hobs (included in small cooking appliances), as opposed…

Microwaves in India continued to experience muted demand in 2023, as consumers restricted their expenditure during a period of economic uncertainty. There were several other factors, such as the return of domestic help, reopening of restaurants,…

While the growth rate for the category slowed marginally in 2023, retail volume sales remained robust due to factors such as rising awareness, new product innovation and launches, and greater mobility. A growing emphasis on hygiene, personal…

Following a year of healthy growth in 2022, the demand for refrigeration appliances slowed in 2023 due to inflationary pressures and unfavourable weather conditions. Sporadic rain during the summer months disrupted sales for cooling products such as…

Following the reopening of schools and offices, many local consumers have been returning to pre-pandemic lifestyles and thus are more pressed for time. With expansion of the employed female population, households are looking for appliances that allow…

While growth for vacuum cleaners increased during the pandemic due to the unavailability of domestic workers, demand for the category slowed considerably in 2023 due to inflationary pressures and the return of hired help. In India, there is a…

In 2023, card lending - driven by increasing credit card adoption in India - remained the dominant category within consumer credit in gross lending terms. The adoption of credit cards further increased during the year, primarily as consumers’…

Consumer lending is growing at a healthy pace in India, driven by evolving lifestyle preferences where consumers strive for a higher standard of living and access to modern amenities. The country’s growing economy, rising disposable incomes, and…

In 2023, retail value sales of cooking ingredients and meals in India displayed high growth following the stabilisation of edible oils, the high value growth of ready meals, and a stable performance by mature categories such as sauce, dips and…

Retail volume sales of edible oils in India suffered in 2021 and the first half of 2022 due to disrupted global supply chains and high global inflation. Since India imports more than 50% of its edible oil requirements, there were spikes in retail…

The per capita consumption of ready meals in India in 2023 remained fairly low compared to the average in Asia Pacific. This modest figure can be attributed to limited market penetration and association of limited consumption occasions. Ready meals…

In line with increasing at-home entertainment options, the frequency of snacking and consuming small meals has increased, thereby benefiting sauces, dips and condiments in India. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer:…

The growth of convenient Western breakfasts such as bread, buns, and breakfast cereals in India has emerged as a pivotal driver for the rising popularity of sweet spreads, including chocolate spreads, jams, and nut and seed based spreads. The…

India has a strong inclination towards tea consumption, with coffee trailing as a distant second in terms of volume. Historically, coffee has enjoyed popularity in southern India throughout the year. Consumers in the south have been historically more…

India boasts a significant demographic, with a youthful population comprising 327 million millennials and 377 million Generation Z individuals. This demographic, combined with widespread and affordable internet access and rapid urbanisation, has…

Amidst the challenges of COVID-19, rural regions played a pivotal role in boosting the demand for fmcg products, including other hot drinks. Factors such as reverse migration contributed to the surge in demand. However, as of 2023, consumer demand in…

India, a vast and diverse country, has seen leading players adapting to its rich tapestry by offering diverse products and tailored marketing strategies to meet the preferences of its consumers. Notably, Tata Consumer Products and Hindustan Unilever…

Bags and luggage experienced significant current value growth in India in 2023, marking a remarkable rebound from the setbacks faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The category was heavily impacted by lockdown restrictions and decreased travel…

Jewellery witnessed double-digit current value growth in India in 2023. In this dynamic landscape, costume jewellery witnessed an unprecedented surge, boasting a high double-digit growth rate that surpassed the performance of fine jewellery. This…

Personal accessories experienced remarkable current value growth in India in 2023, building on its recovery from the challenges of the pandemic period. With a notable resurgence in travel activities and a renewed focus on personal style, the industry…

In 2023, traditional and connected watches maintained significant current value growth in India, although connected watches surged ahead of traditional watches in terms of growth; a trend attributed to the increasing emphasis on fitness and health in…

The return to in-person schooling after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in India provided a boost to writing instruments in 2023, with double-digit current value growth maintained. With schools fully reopened, students are attending classes in…

Apparel and footwear specialists maintained double-digit current value growth in India in 2023, along with continued growth in outlet numbers. After significant disruption during the pandemic, the channel returned to the 2019 level of sales for the…

Appliances and electronics specialists maintained solid current value growth and growth in outlet numbers in India in 2023, despite the competition from online retailers of such products. This is mostly because store-based retailers have been…

Convenience retailers returned to current value growth in India in 2023. This is a relatively small channel with low penetration in the country, with outlets predominantly located in tier 1 and tier 2 cities. There are just a few major players in the…

Direct selling saw solid current value growth in India in 2023, although the rate of increase slowed compared with the previous year, returning to growth similar rates to those seen pre-pandemic. Nevertheless, this was impressive, considering the…

General merchandise stores maintained dynamic double-digit current value growth in India in 2023, and finally saw the recovery of its sales to the pre-pandemic level. Growth was also seen in outlet numbers, which rose to over 4,000 stores, all of…

Health and beauty specialists maintained double-digit current value growth in India in 2023, with increases seen across all channels. The strongest value growth was seen by beauty specialists, with sales finally returning to the pre-pandemic (2019)…

Home products specialists maintained double-digit current value growth in India for a third consecutive year in 2023, along with slow growth in outlet numbers. Although growth was seen across all channels, pet shops and superstores saw the strongest…

After witnessing a significant fall in current value sales in 2020, in the first year of the pandemic, hypermarkets returned to dynamic growth in India in 2021 and 2022, and this trend continued in 2023, finally rising above the 2019 level of sales…

Retail e-commerce maintained dynamic current value growth in India in 2023, with double-digit growth seen across all categories. In particular, quick commerce has gained popularity for packaged food, and daily essentials such as home care products,…

The retail industry showed dynamic current value growth in India in 2023, driven by conducive macroeconomic factors, as well as the full return of mobility and travel after the end of the pandemic. The strong performance in 2023 can be attributed to…

In 2023, small local grocers maintained dynamic current value growth in India, although outlet numbers stagnated for another year. This channel also continued to dominate value sales within grocery retailers in this year, accounting for three…

Even after already rebounding to the pre-pandemic level of value sales as early as 2021, supermarkets saw double-digit current value growth in India in 2022, and this trend continued in 2023. Outlet numbers also maintained their growth trend.…

Baked goods maintained solid retail volume growth and dynamic current value growth in India in 2023. Packaged leavened bread has become a popular go-to option, especially for urban consumers, due to Western influences such as increasing exposure to…

Breakfast cereals maintained dynamic retail volume and current value growth in India in 2023, rising from a small base. Retail per capita consumption of breakfast cereals remains low in India due to limited consumption occasions. Players in breakfast…

Processed fruit and vegetables saw solid retail volume growth and double-digit current value growth in India in 2023. The per capita consumption of processed fruit and vegetables remained low in India in 2023, as fresh fruit and vegetables continue…

Processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat maintained dynamic growth in India in both retail volume and current value terms in 2023. Tofu and derivatives saw the strongest value growth in 2023. Increasing numbers of consumers are gravitating…

Despite its already high base, rice, pasta and noodles in India saw dynamic double-digit retail volume and current value growth in 2023, with strong increases across all categories. With increasing digital penetration, the usage of OTT platforms such…

Staple foods saw high retail current value growth in India in 2023, on the back of favourable macroeconomic factors and changing consumer preferences regarding food choices. Favourable macroeconomic factors such as high GDP growth and rising median…

Air care experienced positive retail volume and current value growth in India in 2023, driven by factors such as greater consumer awareness, increasing urbanisation, and improved distribution channels. The growing trend towards self-care and wellness…

In 2023, dishwashing saw modest current value growth in India, primarily driven by rising volumes, as input costs for dishwashing products started to stabilise. Following the slump in the prices of palm oil and other raw materials, several major…