Asia Pacific

In 2022, there was a major shift towards ice cream parlours in the urban and metropolitan cities of Pakistan. However, the import ban placed on luxury goods hit imported ice cream hard in this year, with ice cream parlours forced to close for some…

Ice cream volume sales in foodservice are outpacing those within retail in Malaysia in 2023, with the latter in decline, indicating a significant change in consumer behaviour. With the pandemic lockdown lifted in 2022, consumers resumed dining out in…

The ice cream category is continuing its recovery from the negative effects of the COVID-19 crisis. Sales volumes are returning to normal pre-pandemic patterns. In 2022, the category grew both in volume and value terms. Value sales showed a markedly…

Ice cream in Japan is set to see minimal retail volume growth along with dynamic current value growth in 2024. Amidst rising domestic demand for dairy products, ice cream experienced several price increases during the review period due to stagnant…

Unilever Indonesia Tbk PT is the leading player in 2023, holding just under half of all company shares. The company’s success is thanks to its overall ice cream portfolio, including brands such as Paddle Pop, Wall’s, Cornetto, Magnum, and Feast.…

2022 was exceptional for ice cream, with year-on-year value growth of 38% compared to 2021. This was because of extreme hot weather combined with pent-up demand. According to IMD (Indian Metrological Department), India had one of the hottest summers…

Ice cream in Hong Kong is experiencing intensified competition amid shifting consumer behaviour, with brands investing in enhanced palatability and innovative flavours to capture demand in a city witnessing greater mobility outside of the home.…

After experiencing rapid growth in 2021 and 2022, retail current value sales of ice cream in China saw a significant decline in 2023. Several factors contributed to this downturn. Compared with 2022, there were fewer days with high temperatures,…

With a reduction in the rate of inflation helping to boost confidence and disposable incomes among the population, ice cream in Azerbaijan is poised to record an improved result in retail volume growth terms in 2024. Conversely, the easing of pricing…

Hypermarkets in Vietnam continued to focus on network expansion into tier 1 and tier 2 cities in 2023, in response to higher living standards and modern lifestyles. E-Mart opened three new outlets over 2022-2023. The player has also been actively…

Hypermarkets in the Philippines recorded positive growth in in current value terms in 2023, albeit at a slower rate than the previous year. Sales were boosted an increase in mobility, which was evidenced by higher foot traffic in mall-based and…

Hypermarkets in Thailand saw current value sales slow in 2023, though growth remained positive. While these stores benefit from selling large volumes, growth is suffering because players focus on targeting customers with medium-to-low purchasing…

During 2023, retail value sales of hypermarkets recorded steady growth, aided by online sales and the expansion of delivery platforms. For example, following its acquisition by PX Mart in 2022, RT Mart underwent marketing integration to optimise…

In 2023, hypermarkets in South Korea faced even slower current value growth than in the previous year, along with a continued decline in outlet numbers, encountering a combination of changing consumer habits and difficult economic conditions. A…

With the additional space available in hypermarkets in Singapore, operators have identified an opportunity to incorporate specific services offering greater value in an attempt to improve the in-store shopping experience and make a trip to the store…

Hypermarkets was one of the retail channels hit hardest by the pandemic as demand for large-format modern grocery retailers plummeted. Quarantine lockdowns and restrictions on movement, combined with widespread fears of contagion, discouraged…

Hypermarkets usually sell a wider range of products compared with other types of grocery retailers, such as supermarkets and convenience stores, but may not be as centrally positioned or as favoured for regular visits. Nevertheless, hypermarkets…

Hypermarkets saw a decline in current value terms in Indonesia in 2023. Despite the positive trend observed in the overall retail industry in line with the ongoing post-pandemic recovery, larger modern retailers such as hypermarkets are struggling.…

After witnessing a significant fall in current value sales in 2020, in the first year of the pandemic, hypermarkets returned to dynamic growth in India in 2021 and 2022, and this trend continued in 2023, finally rising above the 2019 level of sales…

Despite seeing a halt to the decline in outlet numbers in 2023, hypermarkets continued its long-standing decline in retail current value terms in China in 2023. One driver of the fall in sales is that the channel is under intense competition from…

The trend towards plant-based diets in Thailand is rapidly gaining momentum, as health-conscious consumers increasingly opt for plant-based options. With growing demand for healthier choices, particularly protein from soybeans, and grains that are…

In 2022, more consumers, particularly those of the younger generation, started looking for high protein staple foods as a result of the fitness craze. An increasing number of people began to visit gyms and exercise regularly in the review period.…

The idea of health and wellness varies at a category level within staple foods. For instance, high fibre products that use whole grains have a strong position in rice, baked goods, and breakfast cereals. Sales of grain-added rice, such as brown rice,…

In 2022, amid inflationary pressures and the higher cost of living in Singapore, consumers placed greater emphasis on essential goods and often prioritised cheaper alternatives with similar quality and health benefits, resulting in uneven value…

Consumers’ health consciousness and interest in nutrition were growing even before the pandemic. However, after COVID-19 hit Japan, the health and wellness trend accelerated, as consumers strived to maintain their general health to lessen the risk of…

Rising health awareness is increasingly driving Indonesians to make dietary changes in an effort to improve their nutritional intake, lose weight and reduce the risk of certain diseases. This trend – which was reinforced by concerns surrounding…

Traditionally, an Indian breakfast generally consisted of cooked food such as idli, dosa, paratha, and upma. However, in the past few years, with increasingly hectic lifestyles, urban consumers have been pressed for time, and consumers have looked…

Local consumers have been paying greater attention to their diets since the pandemic and, therefore, are exploring different dietary plans. In Hong Kong, flexitarian has, in fact, attracted the most attention. A local survey indicates that the city's…

Amidst heightened awareness amongst Chinese consumers of the adverse effects of excessive sugar consumption, the rise of low sugar and no sugar claims is evident across various product types, particularly staple foods. Within baked goods, traditional…

Due to the postponement of the third phase of the sugar tax in Thailand, which was postponed from 1 October 2022 to take effect on 31 March 2023, carbonated beverage players have had to act quickly to launch innovative products in response. Most…

There has been a general increase in awareness of health and wellness amongst Taiwanese consumers since the COVID-19 crisis, which is having a direct impact on consumers’ decision-making when they are purchasing soft drinks. Local consumer demand for…

During the pandemic, South Korean consumers became more conscious of the need for healthy hydration and the reduction of sugar consumption. This led to dynamic growth for natural bottled water and “water-like” natural RTD tea. Although decline was…

Amid upcoming tightened regulations on the advertising of high sugar drinks and ongoing inflationary pressures, soft drinks are expected to downsize in terms of pack sizes to better accommodate impulse consumption occasions. Commencing on 30 December…

More consumers are turning towards drinks that offer fortification or functionality, as these are increasingly seen as options that can help to improve their diet. Consumers want to improve any health issues that they are concerned about, and are…

As Indonesians become more health-conscious, they are increasingly inclined to choose – and often willing to pay a premium for – soft drinks with added functional ingredients that can improve their general wellbeing, reduce the risk of certain…

Over the last few years, The Coca-Cola Co has been trying to diversify by introducing a host of health and wellness beverages and reducing its dependence on sugary carbonated drinks. For instance, it is working on reducing the sugar content of its…

Since the pandemic, local consumers have become extremely aware of the importance of health and wellness. According to Euromonitor International’s Voice of the Consumer: Lifestyles Survey 2022, 71% of Hong Kong respondents stated that they…

Chinese consumers are becoming increasingly health-conscious and concerned about the negative health effects of excessive sugar consumption. This has led to the rise of better for you soft drinks, including low and no sugar drinks. This is also being…

As food manufacturers respond to the shift towards healthier eating habits in Thailand, they are not only introducing new options with no or low sugar claims, but they are also strategically investing in marketing campaigns that align with evolving…

The already prominent health and wellness trend received a significant boost from the experiences of the COVID-19 crisis, as consumers faced the fear of contracting the disease and the challenges posed by the sedentary lifestyles and overconsumption…

Increasing media coverage about high consumption of sugar, fat and salt raising the chances of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer, has increased demand for products low in these ingredients. Concerns about…

The global energy crunch in 2022 led to cost inflation which adversely impacted Singapore’s import-reliant snacks industry, resulting in price-sensitive consumers’ shift to favouring snacks in larger pack sizes which offer better value for money.…

The volume growth of snacks in Japan has been hampered by the fact that the population is facing a declining trend. Moreover, companies have been having difficulty controlling product costs and maintaining their profits, as raw materials, energy, and…

So-called “clean label” products – ie those that are less processed, contain fewer but more nutritious ingredients and are lower in sugar, salt, fat etc – continued to perform positively in multiple snacks categories in Indonesia in 2022. These types…

In India, obesity has been on the rise for the last few years. According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), about 6.4% of women and 4.0% of men aged between 15-49 are obese, considering a standard BMI (Body Mass Index) of more than 30.…

The current health and wellness trend, which was accelerated by the emergence of the pandemic in Hong Kong, has resulted in the launch of a wide range of healthy snacks. Snacks based on vegetables and options accompanied by claims such as high…

Leading up to 2022, the Chinese market exhibited a scarcity of options within dairy free ice cream, with minimal sales activity. However, the landscape underwent a notable transformation in 2022, emerging as a pivotal year, characterised by…

In 2022, hot drinks continued to be driven by health and wellness trends that included low sugar content and functional products offering higher specific value. To remain competitive, both small and large hot drinks brands have been introducing new…

Demand for instant tea is being dampened as Taiwanese consumers shift towards a healthier mindset in light of the COVID-19 crisis. It is a trend for consumers to have their drinks without sugar in order to stay healthy. Indeed, sugar has become a…

In 2022, health and wellness hot drinks in Korea saw a trend towards consumers looking to reduce potentially harmful ingredients, rather than adding extra benefits. This led to growing consumer demand for better for you products, such as low/no sugar…