Asia Pacific

Menswear witnessed substantial double-digit current value growth in 2023, marking a continued strong rebound from the pre-pandemic downturn. In contrast to the previous year, which was characterised by festive purchasing and stockpiling, the…

In 2022, heightened environmental consciousness among the Japanese, coupled with the government’s goal of reducing disposable plastic waste by 25% over the next 10 years, drove various industries to switch towards sustainable packaging solutions.…

In 2022, sustainable packaging was gaining traction across industries in Malaysia. As an illustration, 10 fmcg companies united under the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), committing themselves to recycling 5,000 tonnes of plastic waste by the…

In 2022, packaging trends in Singapore were significantly shaped by sustainability and consumer preferences. A study conducted by the Singapore Environment Council (SEC) revealed that 70% of consumers in Singapore were concerned about the…

Packaging trends in South Korea showcase a dynamic landscape, driven by consumer preferences and environmental concerns. In the realm of gift-giving, there is a growing inclination, especially among the younger demographic, towards European fruit…

In 2022, the Vietnamese consumer goods market showed a distinct shift in packaging preferences, driven by a delicate balance between economic challenges, environmental consciousness and the desire for convenience. For example, in 2022, the Vietnamese…

Processed fruit and vegetables in Indonesia witnessed dramatically higher unit price hikes in 2023 than it saw in 2022, though volume demand remained sustained. This was partly thanks to independent foodservice operators who have been investing in…

Average unit prices in processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat saw another year of rises in 2023. This was for several reasons, including the increasing costs of energy and animal feed, with Indonesia being import-reliant for some raw…

Unit prices in overall rice, pasta, and noodles increased more dramatically in 2023 compared to 2022, with this being attributable to the dominant subcategory of rice seeing a steep unit price spike in 2023 that resulted from weather-induced harvest…

The demand for sportswear experienced a substantial surge in the post-COVID-19 era, driven by a shift in consumer preference towards adopting a healthier and fitness-oriented lifestyle in India. This transformation is evident in the growing emphasis…

Staple foods overall benefited from consumer purchasing power beginning to rise in 2023 as Indonesia’s economy started to rebound following difficult years during and immediately after the pandemic. Sales volumes were boosted by broadening consumer…

In 2023, a notable rise in social activities was observed, particularly with an increase in the number of women venturing out for work, which contributed to a significant surge in their spending on business attire, thereby fostering the growth of…

Charge cards in India remained a niche category within financial cards and payments in 2023, largely due to higher eligibility criteria for issuance. Given the higher credit score and minimum salary requirement for a charge card in comparison to…

Credit cards in India witnessed healthy demand in 2023 as consumers looked to bridge their income gap through smart spending. The adoption of credit cards further increased during the year, primarily as responsibilities in the form of expenditure…

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…

The reopened border between mainland China and Hong Kong in early 2023 had significant implications for the demand of analgesic remedies within the city, which rose considerably. This growth can be attributed to a shortage of analgesic remedies…

Post-pandemic 2023 saw lifted restrictions lead to the return of tourists to Hong Kong and a rebound in tourism consumption, particularly for OTC products. Mainland Chinese tourists, who were once a key consumer group for these products, began to…

The removal of mask-wearing and social distancing measures in March 2023 led to rising demand for cough, cold and allergy remedies as respiratory infections increased. Since February 2020, local seasonal influenza in Hong Kong has remained at a low…

Dermatologicals in Hong Kong saw continued positive growth in 2023. Steady growth in antifungals was driven by medicated shampoos, vaginal antifungals and other dermatologicals such as topical allergy remedies/antihistamines, with hair loss…

2023 saw increased interest in women’s health and beauty supplements in Hong Kong as pandemic restrictions were removed, with more opportunities for consumers to go out and socialise. Female consumers are increasingly attracted to supplements with…

With traveling restrictions and social distancing measures fully lifted, residents in Hong Kong were gradually resuming their normal social lives in 2023. This resulted in an increase dining out and social gatherings, with people now able to meet up…

In Hong Kong, the increased frequency and time spent using 3C products, (in particular, computers, smartphones and tablets) among people of all generations has led to a growing need for effective eye care solutions. As individuals spend more time…

Consumers in Hong Kong have been increasingly gravitating towards herbal/traditional products for both OTC and vitamins and dietary supplements, as a result of greater demand for natural alternatives and more consumers taking greater control of their…

The smoking population in Hong Kong has been steadily declining thanks to the strong smoking cessation campaigns implemented by the government over the past decades. Through education and banning the sale of e-cigarettes in 2022, the government has…

In 2022, Thailand’s packaging industry was seeing significant activity in terms of the adoption of sustainable and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Mirroring global trends, heightened awareness of environmental issues among consumers and regulatory…

Paediatric cough, cold and allergy remedies in Hong Kong saw strong rises in the wake of lifted social restrictions in 2023. The mandatory mask-wearing policy, which had been in place to mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses, was removed and…

The importance of mental health continues to command attention, with sleep being recognised as a crucial factor for maintaining overall wellbeing. The demand for products that address mental health concerns has surged in Hong Kong prompting…

In 2023, sports nutrition in Hong Kong continued to record robust volume growth as local consumers maintained the exercising habits they acquired during the pandemic when spending time in lockdowns. Local consumers are increasingly interested in…

The significant increase in vitamins sales in Hong Kong in 2023 can be attributed to several factors. There has been a growing emphasis among local consumers on taking preventive measures to enhance their overall health and wellbeing. This trend has…

There has been an increase in the number of Korean weight management brands entering the Hong Kong market. For example, Glam.D launched the cookie & cream flavour Light Meal Shake, tailored to suit the preferences of Hong Kong consumers. Korean…

Lifted restrictions in post-pandemic Hong Kong meant increased outdoor and travel activities led to a higher demand for wound care products in 2022, particularly sticking plasters/adhesive bandages for emergency use. With the resurgence of outdoor…

In May 2023, the Japanese government downgraded the legal status of COVID-19 to class 5, which led to a rebound in footfall for consumer foodservice. Consumers returned to going out, and enjoyed dining out. In particular, bars/pubs, which suffered…

In 2023, Japan relaxed its COVID-19 rules, which boosted the travel industry. These changes altered how people, both local and foreign visitors, viewed and approached travel, which aided recovery. In terms of local travel, COVID-19 became less of a…

Consumer foodservice continued to see strong recovery in Japan in 2023, posting double-digit growth in current value sales in line with the recovery of flows of consumers after the downgrading of the status of COVID-19. On 8 May 2023, the Japanese…

After COVID-19 was downgraded to class 5 in May 2023, consumers felt more comfortable eating out. This contributed to a sales rebound for full-service restaurants, but challenges remained. Costs continued to rise, and players continued to find it…

Limited-service restaurants continued to see a positive current value performance in 2023, mainly driven by unit price increases. Although some companies had already implemented price increases in 2022, it became inevitable that they would raise…

On 8 May 2023, the Japanese government announced that it would reclassify COVID-19 as a class 5 infectious disease, which is the same classification as seasonal flu. As a result, decisions regarding infection control were left to individuals and…

Street stalls/kiosks continued to see an increase in current value sales in 2023, thanks to the rising popularity of food trucks. Even during the pandemic, food trucks were less negatively impacted thanks to their mobility, which allowed them to…

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…

The leading player in apparel and footwear specialists, Fast Retailing, has been focusing on experiences in its stores. Having both an offline and online presence, the retailer aims to differentiate its physical stores by providing customers with…

Yodobashi partnered with Fortress Investment Group in the acquisition of the department store brands Seibu and Sogo from Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd, and is hoping to establish a new store in Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro is one of the largest towns in Japan,…

Specialist coffee and tea shops is a mature category in South Korea, but continued to show dynamic growth in 2023. Previously, players in specialist coffee shops changed high unit prices, but advances in coffee machines led to standardisation of…

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.…

In 2023, the significant growth in sales of drive-through outlets was noteworthy. This method of fulfilment showed a triple-digit growth rate during COVID-19 in 2020, and still sustained double-digit current value growth in 2023. From a corporate…

Despite optimistic expectations of rapid recovery in consumer consumption following the COVID-19 pandemic, transaction growth in overall consumer foodservice in South Korea experienced a slowdown in 2023, exacerbated by prolonged inflation. The…

On 8 May 2023, the Japanese government announced that it would reclassify COVID-19 as a class 5 infectious disease, which is the same classification as seasonal flu. This shift pushed consumers in Japan to go back to their pre-COVID-19 behaviours,…

Direct selling continues to face headwinds due to the ageing of the customer base, and the loss of recruitment opportunities due to changes in social behaviour since the pandemic. On the other hand, some players saw rising sales in 2023, as society…

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.…