Asia Pacific

Toys and games in the Philippines saw steady growth in current value terms in 2023, albeit growth was more stable compared to the dynamism of the previous two years. Several factors shaped consumer purchasing behaviour and market trends in 2023.…

Toys and games in Thailand experienced a slowdown in retail value growth in 2023, amid factors like a gradually slowing birth rate and falling 0-14-year-old population and economic pressures in an inflationary climate. Video games continued to…

Toys and games in Taiwan witnessed a slower increase in retail current value sales in 2023, compared to 2022. This was the first full year without COVID-19 restrictions, as Taiwan reopened its national border near the end of 2022. Many consumers…

After many years of growth, in 2023 toys and games in South Korea witnessed a notable current value decline, with traditional toys and games seeing only a slight fall in sales, and video games a stronger decrease. Toys and games witnessed a decrease…

Toys and games in Singapore saw solid current value growth in 2023, with increases for both traditional toys and games and video games. Toys and games has a dynamic landscape, being shaped by evolving consumer preferences, technological advances, and…

The toys and games market witnessed current value growth in Malaysia in 2023. Construction and action figures were the two largest categories in traditional toys and games, with action figures proving to be a key growth driver during the year. IP…

Toys and games in Japan saw low current value growth in 2023, with increases for both traditional toys and games and video games. In traditional toys and games, games and puzzles continued to be the largest category. It accounted for less than a…

The market for toys and games in Indonesia saw mid-single digit growth in current value terms in 2023, a slight improvement over the previous year. Sales were impacted by inflationary pressures, mainly due to higher food and energy costs. While the…

Toys and games in India witnessed strong positive current value growth in 2023. After three years of decline, traditional toys and games experienced a strong rebound as the supply situation improved, and major players such as Mattel and Hasbro…

Toys and games in Hong Kong recorded low current value growth in 2023, fuelled by the challenges from the global economic situation as well as local consumers spending elsewhere. Traditional toys and games, in particular, experienced a notable…

Following the decline during the pandemic and lockdown period in 2022, a current value resurgence was witnessed for toys and games in China in 2023, with growth for both traditional toys and games and video games. The lifting of lockdown policies…

Tourism flows are rebounding strongly in 2023, however some challenges remain to limit the growth of inbound tourism. Namely, short visa duration periods are one of the significant factors limiting flows into Vietnam. Although the country reopened…

Inbound arrivals (in terms of number of trips) continued to recover in 2023, having recorded triple-digit growth over the previous year. This followed the easing of all remaining international travel restrictions, including COVID-19 test…

The volume of inbound arrivals increased for the second consecutive year in 2023, following the lifting of all remaining COVID-19 related entry restrictions in October 2022. The return of tourists from other countries in Asia-Pacific, notably China,…

Following the lifting of all COVID-19-related entry restrictions in October 2022, the volume of inbound arrivals to Taiwan in 2023 dramatically increased. The government also resumed visa-free travel for citizens of major countries within Europe,…

In 2022, travel restrictions that the Korean government had introduced as part of pandemic measures were eased for both inbound and outbound travellers in stages, while most countries had removed their stringent travel restrictions due to the waning…

While the tourism industry in Asia Pacific was experiencing a slow recovery during the early stages of reopening, Singapore managed to stay ahead. In fact, Singapore welcomed travellers who were completely vaccinated when its border reopened in April…

After surpassing the initial target for tourist arrivals in 2022, Malaysia is projected to continue on the path to recovery in 2023, albeit the number of inbound arrivals is expected to remain well below pre-pandemic levels, in terms of number of…

Lagging slightly behind many other countries globally, Japan finally eased its various regulations around COVID-19 in 2023. This has been very significant for the travel industry, not only in terms of deregulation, but also in terms of changes in…

In 2023, tourism flows are expected to show a significant increase compared to 2022. This has already been seen in the first quarter of 2023. Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, Timor Leste and India were still the countries that made the largest…

In 2023, international events, coupled with initiatives by the government, have been allowing inbound tourism to witness healthy growth, which is ultimately expected to drive current value sales beyond the pre-pandemic level, seen in 2019. Inbound…

The full resumption of quarantine-free travel is the major driver of the expected exceptional spike in inbound arrivals to Hong Kong in 2023. Inbound arrivals are expected to recover to more than 60% of the 2019 level in 2023, with full recovery…

Effective from 8 Jan 2023, the Chinese government lifted inbound travel restrictions, such as testing and contact tracing passes, effectively ending the country’s “zero-Covid” policy practiced for the last three years. Subsequently, international…

Toilet care continued to see healthy growth in retail volume terms in 2023, supported by factors such as improving living standards, busier lifestyles, the construction of more modern homes and apartments and better hygiene awareness. Toilet…

Even as quarantine measures lifted, the demand for toilet care products in Uzbekistan remained robust. Local consumers continued to prioritise home hygiene, maintaining regular toilet cleaning routines. Despite 2023's moderate growth in both market…

Toilet care saw solid growth in 2023 in both retail volume and current value terms. Most consumers are aware of the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic toilet to prevent the spread of germs, but also to limit unpleasant smells. Growth was…

Toilet care presented an intriguing narrative in 2023, with the retail volume and current value growth rates experiencing an upward trajectory from the previous year. This growth, however, was juxtaposed against the nuanced dynamics of a niche…

Toilet care has shown positive retail growth in both retail value and volume terms in 2023, with the major contributing factors being inflationary pressure and rising price points. This explains the heightened retail value growth compared to retail…

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a heightened awareness of hygiene among South Koreans, with a stronger dedication to household cleanliness and a more conscientious approach to toilet hygiene. This elevated interest has prompted the…

The resumption of post-pandemic activities in Singapore has contributed to a flat performance by toilet care in retail volume terms. As individuals and communities transition towards a semblance of normalcy, there is a perceptible shift in consumer…

In 2023, the focus on preventative hygiene continued to significantly boost the demand for toilet care in Pakistan. With consumers remaining concerned about viral infections, there was a notable increase in the call for products that could ensure…

Toilet care maintained solid retail volume and current value growth in 2023, although from a relatively low base. Many consumers, especially those with young children, remain in the habit of periodically cleaning the toilet. Even post-pandemic,…

Toilet care recorded substantial growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sales have since stabilised, with 2023 seeing volume rises at a more moderate pace overall. However, toilet liquids/foam was increasing relatively rapidly in 2023, leading overall…

A typical performance amongst home care categories in Japan in 2023 was that volume sales fell, whilst average unit prices increased, driving up value sales as a result. However, toilet care was a little different. The category saw significant…

Toilet care is a category enjoying strong and stable growth, supported by the ongoing urbanisation trends in Indonesia. As urban migration continues, more consumers are finding themselves in upgraded living conditions, residing in modern houses and…

The strong focus and attention on improving sanitation in India provided a basis for steady retail volume and current value growth in toilet care in India even after the pandemic ended. While there was strong demand for products in the category…

Toilet care continued to record growth in both retail volume and current value terms in Hong Kong in 2023. Although the pandemic ended, many consumers and businesses alike maintained rigorous cleaning routines and a hygienic bathroom area, including…

While the COVID-19 pandemic has ceased to be prominent, as the Chinese government announced it would remove most pandemic-related restriction in late 2022, consumer awareness around keeping their homes safe and hygienic remains significant, leading…

Toilet care registered both healthy constant value and volume growth in 2023. Toilet liquids/foam continued to account for most value sales and also registered the highest current value growth. Rim liquids also accounted for significant value sales,…

In 2023, tobacco continued to record a positive performance in Vietnam despite the fact that the country experienced challenging economic conditions and considerable inflationary pressure. Many Vietnamese consumers maintained their habit of smoking…

Cigarettes continued to dominate tobacco in Uzbekistan at the end of the review period. However, in 2023, cigarettes saw a decline in legal retail volume sales, compared to the previous year. Despite the increase in smoking prevalence, which was…

Tobacco in the Philippines saw overall growth fall in both volume and current value terms in 2023, driven in large part the persistent downfall of cigarettes, which continued to decline while cigars and cigarillos enjoyed stable demand within a niche…

The tobacco industry in Thailand registered a stagnant performance in 2023, in both volume and current value terms. At the same time, the number of smokers in the population fell for the second consecutive year, having risen during the pandemic. This…

Tobacco in Taiwan has been heavily impacted by the amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which came into effect on 22 March 2023. Taiwan now operates a complete ban on e-vapour products and regulates heated tobacco products. There are some…

In 2023, Sri Lanka's tobacco sector faced substantial challenges due to significant price hikes for cigarettes amid economic recession and import restrictions. These factors led to a marked decline in smoking rates, especially among lower…

In 2023, overall retail current value sales of tobacco in South Korea showed a positive growth rate compared with the previous year, yet the growth rate was minimal, resulting in no significant difference in actual sales compared with 2022.

Tobacco in Singapore saw a retail volume decline in 2023, although current value sales increased. Retail volume sales of cigarettes continued to decrease, with mid-priced cigarettes suffering the most significant fall in sales. Meanwhile, the economy…

Overall, it was a mixed picture for tobacco in Pakistan in 2023.

Positive growth was seen in tobacco in Myanmar in 2023 as official retail volume sales of cigarettes continued to rise. However, much tobacco use stems from informal sales of betel quids and hand-rolled cheroots, as well as illicit sales of smuggled…

In 2023, cigarettes faced intense competition from e-vapour products as younger adults of legal smoking age switched to the latter, which they perceived as more affordable, with lower nicotine levels and a variety of flavour options available across…