Asia Pacific

Embedded finance is a critical factor in improving the customer journey and driving transformation. Leading embedded finance partners enable non-financial clients to offer diversified financial products and services, with simplified integration,…

Although Kiribati enjoys political stability, a lack of business freedom has resulted in a poor ranking for economic freedom overall. Its narrow economic base prevents employment creation, resulting in high joblessness, whilst it is also highly…

Processed fruit and vegetables only recorded marginal retail volume growth in 2023, following a dip in 2022 due to rising unit prices, which saw consumers switching to fresh fruit and vegetables. The inevitable price hikes diminished the cost…

Retail demand for processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat marginally increased in 2023, following a slight drop the previous year when demand was affected by high inflationary pressures from supply chain disruptions and geopolitical…

While retail demand for rice, pasta and noodles marginally increased as a whole in 2023, as consumers continued to cook more frequently at home amid the high cost of living pressures, growth patterns differed across the category. While retail volume…

Staple foods in Singapore continued to experience marginally higher average unit prices from the lingering effect of the inflationary wave in 2022. Climate change and geopolitical risks further impacted global food production and supply chains,…

Industry stakeholders are increasingly debating between sustainability and technology leadership strategies in the appliances market. As margins continue to shrink, leadership in either category is critical to maintain continued competitiveness. In…

Despite a decline in the number of COVID-19 cases, demand for analgesics continued to grow in 2023. This was partly due to the revival of pre-pandemic behavioural patterns, including the cessation of mask wearing and social distancing, which meant…

The market for consumer health products in Thailand continued to enjoy healthy growth in current value terms in 2023. This was driven, to a large extent, by the revival of normal pre-pandemic patterns of behaviour, including the return of consumers…

Cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) remedies continued to enjoy healthy growth in current value terms in 2023. This was driven, to a large extent, by the revival of normal pre-pandemic patterns of behaviour, including the return of Thais to their…

Retail sales of dermatological products in Thailand experienced accelerated growth in current value terms in 2023, following the return of consumers to more active lifestyles outside the home. With this increased mobility came a greater risk of…

In 2023, Thailand witnessed a continued strong demand for dietary supplements, reflecting a heightened consumer interest in preventative health. While fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic had largely subsided, there remained a key focus on…

Digestive remedies saw healthy growth in current value terms in 2023. As in the previous year, the return of busier, pre-pandemic lifestyles outside the home helped to trigger demand. This was in marked contrast to 2020 and 2021, when measures…

The eye care market in Thailand experienced significant growth in current value terms in 2023, driven by various factors. One key contributor was a heightened awareness among consumers about the importance of maintaining good eye health, thanks to…

Herbal/traditional products are popular among Thai consumers, many of whom like to avoid products with synthetic ingredients and instead prefer those with natural elements, with the latter perceived to be safer, healthier, and, more importantly, to…

NRT smoking cessation aids remained one of the smallest categories within consumer health in Thailand in 2023. Consumers are only able to purchase these products from drugstores/parapharmacies or pharmacies, as they have to be dispensed by a…

Paediatric vitamins and dietary supplements remained the largest and most dynamic product area in current value terms in 2023, with parents remaining keen to protect their children’s health. As demand grew, so too did the variety of offerings, with…

Political instability is frequent and Kyrgyzstan fell into ‘mostly unfree’ for economic freedom ranking. Economic growth is forecast to be slower than peers and below the pre-pandemic levels. Population growth will add to consumer market appeal and a…

Macau, China benefits from political stability, but its ageing population could make increasing demands on government finances in the future. As the world’s largest gambling hub, Macau’s economy is heavily dependent on revenues from casinos, making…

Mongolia is a peaceful country, but with high levels of corruption and fragile governance. The economic growth should accelerate in 2023, supported by the vast mining sector, but the country’s dependence on this sector leaves it vulnerable.…

North Korea’s autocratic regime is the most repressed globally for economic freedom, which propagates corruption, but sanctions could bring the country to the negotiating table. The command economy has been crippled by these sanctions, and remains…

Papua New Guinea faces considerable hurdles, marked by pervasive corruption and limited economic freedom. Country’s economy, heavily reliant on the uncertain global commodity market, is further strained by low productivity due to extensive…

Tuvalu has favourable political freedom, but a high dependency ratio and poor regulatory environment. Economy slowly recovered from COVID-19 pandemic and related slowdown, bolstered by the seafaring sector. Nevertheless, further growth will remain…

Sports nutrition products enjoyed dynamic growth in current value terms in 2023. As fears surrounding COVID-19 eased, consumers returned to their normal activities, including taking part in physical exercise. This included outdoor sports, like…

2023 witnessed remarkable growth for vitamins in current value terms, continuing the trend of the previous year. Persistent concerns surrounding COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses, coupled with ongoing health concerns, sustained a robust demand…

With the revival of pre-pandemic lifestyles in 2023, including the return of individuals to their physical workplaces and social activities, many Thais looked to shed the excess weight they had gained during the pandemic. This helped to drive strong…

Retail sales of wound care products in Thailand experienced accelerated growth in current value terms in 2023, following the return of consumers to more active lifestyles outside the home. With the resumption of sports and other outdoor activities…

Retail sales of staple foods continued to see healthy growth in both volume and real value terms in Asia Pacific in 2023. This was despite foodservice sales seeing a spike in demand in 2023 after 2022 had seen the return of lockdowns in China. Asia…

Beauty and personal care in Asia Pacific has had a couple of tough years recently due to the pandemic. The first was 2020, when a number of countries in the region recorded declining sales with the emergence of the virus. The second was 2022, when…

Samoa is a politically stable country with a budget surplus. However, the large influence of the state and significant exposure to tourism could weigh on economic performance in the medium term. Although the country is young and growing, its…

Although government finances are solid and monetary freedom rank high, the Solomon Islands suffers from pervasive corruption and low investment freedom. Economic performance is expected to be below peers over the near term. The population is young…

Global growth is set to slow in 2024 as a result of high cost pressures for businesses and consumers, especially high interest rates. Asia Pacific will continue to stand out as the main global growth region while advanced economies decelerate.…

Although Tonga is ‘moderately free’ for Economic Freedom, it is relatively stable politically and had solid state finances. The economy is overly reliant on remittances and tourism, which could lead it to underperform compared to its peers, whilst it…

Packaging in China is undergoing notable shifts across various industries, driven by consumer preferences, environmental concerns and innovative design approaches. In alcoholic drinks, metal packaging, particularly metal beer bottles, has been…

An increasing number of brands are incorporating eco-friendly practices into their packaging to mitigate environmental concerns. Hong Kong consumers are becoming more inclined towards brands that follow sustainable initiatives. Leading skin care and…

In India, the demand for larger pack sizes, which offer better value for money, has surged due to inflation, especially in the wine industry, where 750ml sizes are popular for both individual consumption and sharing during social gatherings. The rise…

The increased demand for convenience is a major trend in the Indonesian packaging industry. This is due to a number of factors, including busier lifestyles, rising incomes and changing demographics. Packaging companies are responding to this trend by…

In the Philippines, the packaging industry has been seeing several noteworthy trends across different product categories. In food packaging, metal food cans are the preferred choice for packaging condensed milk. With its cultural significance and…

Respect of the rule of law and a dynamic private sector have led to superior economic freedom for Taiwan. However, geopolitical tensions are negatively impacting both the political and economic landscapes. Inflation has been controlled well, but the…

In Asia, the search of health-conscious young consumers for dietary supplement product efficacy is dominating market trends. They are susceptible to advertising but do extra research to make informed purchase decisions. Heightened health concerns,…

While cigarettes were recording a second year of positive growth in 2022, boosted by further normalisation post-pandemic, enabling a fuller return of mobility, inbound tourists and social lives, there was a mixed picture in the newer alternatives to…

After experiencing a rapid surge in growth during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trajectory of apparel accessories underwent a significant shift in 2022 and 2023. The demand for face masks, a pivotal component of the category…

India’s distinction as having one of the youngest populations globally provides a significant advantage, particularly when it comes to fashion. With a substantial proportion of the population belonging to younger age groups, the country boasts a…

Retail volume sales of overall baked goods saw flat growth in 2023, with average unit prices soaring for the second consecutive year. Several factors contributed to this snowballing of prices: the continued weakening of the IDR amid high import…

Overall breakfast cereals posted positive growth in terms of retail volume sales in 2023 at a similar rate to that recorded in 2022. The key consumer group for breakfast cereals in Indonesia consists of upper-income professionals who make up a…

Childrenswear has been experiencing a notable surge in sales, fuelled by younger parents’ changing preferences and spending habits. With the rise of dual-income households, these parents possess more significant disposable incomes, enabling them to…

In a rebound from the strong decline seen in 2020 due to COVID-19, the footwear category in India has been seeing significant growth, and recovered to the 2019 level of value sales in 2023. Post-COVID-19, consumer spending on footwear increased after…

This briefing examines how the commodity market for beef is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and consumption. The report also provides data and analysis of beef price dynamics, and key meat consuming industries.

In 2023, domestic travel in India witnessed remarkable growth of 56%, reflecting a significant increase in the number of people spending time away from their homes. This surge in travel activities, in turn, contributed to a higher retail volume…

Premium men’s jeans, and particularly premium women’s jeans, experienced robust value growth in 2023. The surge in demand can be attributed to a shift in consumer preference towards investing in high-quality jeans that offer durability and longevity.…