Explore the latest trends, demand drivers and growth opportunitie...
Explore the latest trends, demand drivers and growth opportunities in the Middle East, with in-depth market and data analysis from our in-country field researchers and regional experts.
Many hot drinks in the United Arab Emirates are considered to be less essential compared to food categories and some soft drinks categories, such as bottled water and juice. This makes them vulnerable in the face of inflation, economic instability or…
Following global inflation and the challenge for low- and mid-income consumers to manage their expenses, all major private label lines of juice entered the United Arab Emirates, including Carrefour Fresh, Lulu Fresh, Spinneys Food, Spinneys Kitchen…
Traditionally in the United Arab Emirates, other hot drinks are represented mainly by chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks and malt-based hot drinks. Share of other formats were extremely low with no brands emerging to drive up their share.…
Although Bahrain’s political system lacks freedoms and corruption remains pervasive, an extremely low tax burden raises economic freedom. Whilst inflation has again entered negative territory and economic development is moderating, the foreign…
Frequent government changes have led to political instability in Kuwait and corruption is pervasive, although state finances remain in rude health. A strong economic performance is due to high oil prices, as well as solid domestic demand, but…
Price per litre, RTD coffee is the most expensive category within soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates, followed by energy drinks. Its high price is driven by the premium nature of the product, a relatively small bottle size and the domination of…
RTD tea in the United Arab Emirates is among three categories within soft drinks demonstrating double-digit growth rates in 2023. Its success is partly being driven by its novelty factor in the local market, in line with the continuing success of RTD…
Demand for soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates (in both off-trade and on-trade channels) is growing in 2023, despite global economic challenges. The purchasing power of most local consumers remains high, as a major proportion of the population…
Sports drinks in the United Arab Emirates remains a young category with further high growth potential following its dynamic performance in 2022 and 2023. The concept of fitness, increasingly integrated into consumers’ lifestyles, has only emerged…
In line with the increasing local trend for private label across food and beverages, tea in the United Arab Emirates is also benefiting from the gradual emergence of private label. In the face of moderate inflation and overall fragmentation within…
The briefing examines how the cotton commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on cotton price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…
The briefing examines how the milk commodity performs globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and production. The report also provides data and analysis on milk price dynamics, as well as trends across key commodity consuming…
Seasonal sales in 2023, were impacted by unfavourable weather conditions, leading to limited and delayed consumer purchases of apparel accessories. 2023 saw unfavourable weather, with an extremely hot winter 2022/2023 leading consumers to delay…
Apparel and footwear is set to record mid-single digit growth in current value terms in 2023, which translates to a decline in constant terms driven by the challenging economic and political environment that have seen Israeli consumers limiting their…
Bottled water remains by far the largest category of soft drinks in Saudi Arabia with increasing numbers of consumers switching to bottled water. Although tap water in the Kingdom is said to be safe to drink many people prefer to use bottled water,…
The hot weather in Saudi Arabia continues to support sales of carbonates, with sales also benefiting from the large number of consumers aged under 30, who are a key target audience for these products. Despite this, consumers in Saudi Arabia continue…
Childrenswear has faced various headwinds. The several increases in interest rates and high inflation, which averaged at around 4.3% in 2022 and 2023, compounded by the political turmoil revolving around the government’s contentious judicial reforms,…
Saudi Coffee Co was established by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) in 2022 with the aim of developing the Kingdom’s national coffee industry and increasing its coffee production from 300 to 2,500 tons annually by 2028. In 2023 the…
Vimto (from Aujan Industries Co Ltd) continues to lead liquid concentrates and concentrates overall in Saudi Arabia. The brand saw the launch of Vimto Cordial Zero in 2022, which is sugar-free and contains zero calories, alongside containing no…
Sales of energy drinks continue to decline in off-trade volume terms. Energy drinks incur a 100% “sin tax” in Saudi Arabia, while there are also other initiatives and restrictions aimed at discouraging the consumption of such products with the…