North America

The vending channel experienced healthy growth in current value terms in the US in 2023, and also maintained solid growth in value terms at constant 2023 prices. The continued normalisation of work and mobility routines post-pandemic benefited…

KioSoft launched KioVend vending machines in Canada in 2023, offering a wide range of ready-to-use snacks and drinks. While most vending machines are sold by aggregators who rely on third parties for payments, KioVend controls all aspects of its…

Despite expectations for deflationary trends as markets continue to emerge from post-pandemic conditions, fresh vegetables continue to experience rising costs. Labour, transportation, and raw materials, as well as global socioeconomic unrest, have…

In 2022, vacuum cleaners experienced a decline in its volume sales, and this is set to be followed by a year of only slow growth in 2023. This marks a trend towards normalisation after a period of robust growth witnessed in the first two years of the…

The transition to a hybrid work model, initiated by the Federal Government and increasingly adopted by various organisations, is reshaping the work landscape. As employees spend more time at home, the demand for vacuum cleaners is expected to rise.…

In 2021 and 2022, pandemic-related travel restrictions controlled the travel industry’s performance, and the removal of these restrictions led to robust sales growth. China’s decision in January 2023 to remove all remaining restrictions on…

Canadians continue to have a good appetite for travel with many determined to resume their travel activities after the government removed all COVID-19 restrictions in the second half of 2022. As a result, the travel industry is expected to continue…

2023 presented a challenging year for traditional toys and games in the US, with current value sales falling as the category normalised following pandemic demand. Excess inventory in late 2022, the result of weaker than forecast demand, meant that…

In 2023, the overall growth in retail value sales for traditional toys and games in Canada saw a decline, reflecting the impact of inflation on consumer spending habits. Categories like games and puzzles, which experienced a surge in demand during…

Traditional watches in the US witnessed a swift rebound in sales in 2021, surpassing initial expectations, driven predominantly by the surge in demand for high watches (over USD1,000). However, the momentum has since seen a notable deceleration…

Connected watches sustained their growth trajectory in 2023, boosting the performance of the entire category, which otherwise saw modest current value growth and volume decline. Smart wearables performed well thanks to their advanced features and…

In 2023, overall toys and games in the US saw a slight current value decline. However, whilst video games saw insignificant growth, traditional toys and games saw a notable decline. The decline for traditional toys and games reflected a category…

Traditional toys and games in Canada faced a challenging landscape in 2023, marked by declines across most categories as consumers tightened their belts amidst rising living costs. However, amidst the downturn, certain categories showed resilience.…

The strong recovery of international travel has continued in 2023. Despite persistently high inflation in the US and other key travel source markets, demand for international travel is very high in the US. Transatlantic travel between the US and…

In October 2022, the Canadian government removed all remaining COVID-19 related travel restrictions This led to strong growth of inbound and outbound travel, with this trend continuing into 2023. Household savings are high thanks to severely reduced…

In 2023, toilet care in the US witnessed a surge in value sales, propelled by sustained price increases. However, this upswing in value was counterbalanced by a decline in volume, primarily attributed to economic uncertainty and shifting consumer…

Toilet care experienced healthy growth in retail value terms in 2023, primarily driven by high inflation and rising prices. As such, while retail value rose, retail volume sales struggled, posting a decline in all product areas. Consumers have…

Tobacco in the US continued its declining trend in current value terms in 2023, as the public health fight against tobacco intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the failure from the Biden Administration to achieve a comprehensive ban on…

Tobacco in Canada is undergoing significant structural changes with traditional cigarettes losing ground due to declining smoking rates and the switch to alternative vaping products. Cigarette production witnessed a significant decrease in 2023 with…

After a year of high inflation and volume declines in 2022, 2023 saw an improving macroeconomic environment, with 2023’s average inflation rate of around 3% much softened from 2022’s 8%. Unit price increases came through in early 2023, with…