Asia Pacific

In 2021 and 2022, many local consumers used personal loans when faced with unplanned expenses or a personal financial emergency. Malaysian banks were very active in offering personal loans to individuals, providing flexible repayments and offering…

Consumer credit gross lending has experienced further strong growth in 2023, along similar lines to the previous year. The main factor behind this growth has been the improvement in economic conditions as a result of increased community mobility…

Since the reopening of borders in the fourth quarter of 2022, there has been a significant increase in the desire of Hong Kong residents to travel abroad, following three years of pandemic-induced restrictions. Throughout 2023, there has been a…

Despite being historically less popular in Taiwan due to limited merchant acceptance compared to VISA, MasterCard, and JCB, American Express (AMEX) is making significant strides in the market. The key to its success lies in the exclusive benefits and…

In 2023, the charge cards category has experienced positive growth, both in terms of volume and value transactions. Similarly to the previous year, growth has largely been driven by the revival of normal social and economic activity in the wake of…

There has been a decline in the number of high net worth individuals (HNWI) in Hong Kong since 2020. In response, charge card operators such as American Express and Diners Club are determined to customise their latest offers to better cater for this…

This briefing examines how the pharmaceuticals and medical equipment industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment output. The report also provides data for production, market size,…

Womenswear in Thailand is seeing a shift in demand towards multi-purpose products. Although fashion remains the key concern when people are purchasing womenswear, consumers are also showing more concern with regard to the item’s functionality. This…

With restrictions and lockdowns having been fully lifted in Singapore, womenswear has been rebounding from the significant drop in sales seen in 2020 due to the pandemic. The category is still not expected to reach the pre-pandemic levels of retail…

Retail prices of staple foods in the Vietnam continued to rise in 2023. While inflationary pressures began to ease, the ongoing war in Ukraine had a major impact on the prices of key raw materials, due to the disruption of the global supply chain.…

Retail sales of staple foods and alternatives in the Philippines recorded moderate growth in volume terms in 2023. This was in spite ongoing inflationary pressures, with food prices posting an upward trend, thanks to energy price hikes and…

Staple foods, closely associated with economic conditions in South Korea, is experiencing slower growth rates in many categories due to recent external economic factors. Elevated inflation rates have led to an upward trend in retail value sales…

Staple foods in Japan is set to grow in current value terms in 2023, largely driven by unit price increases due to inflation and increases in production costs. Although many manufacturers had already implemented price increases in 2022, the costs of…

Pandemic restrictions were lifted in China at the beginning of 2023; thus, production, logistics, and product availability have gradually resumed in staple foods. However, after a year of exceptional growth in 2022, retail volume sales are set to…

Aligned with an increased focus on the importance of health and wellness among Thai consumers, there has been an increase in people taking part in workout routines and exercise activities. In 2023, sportswear brands have continued to leverage this…

Sportswear is expected to experience dynamic growth in retail current value terms in 2023, with this also set to continue over the forecast period. The demand for sportswear is being driven by an increasing number of people in Singapore participating…

Retail prices of rice, pasta and noodles in the Vietnam continued to rise in 2023. While inflationary pressures began to ease, the ongoing war in Ukraine had a major impact on the prices of key raw materials, due to the disruption of the global…

Volume sales of rice, pasta and noodles in the Philippines recorded moderate growth in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. This was in spite ongoing inflationary pressures, thanks to energy price hikes and disruptions to the supply…

In 2023, there continues to be a noticeable revival in retail and foodservice volume sales of rice in South Korea. While the latter channel was negatively impacted by foodservice closures and restrictions during the pandemic, a declining trend in…

Rice, pasta and noodles in Japan is set to see a positive retail current value performance in 2023, due to unit price increases led by inflation and rises in production costs. Although many manufacturers increased the prices of their products several…