Asia Pacific

In 2023, retail in South Korea maintained solid current value growth both online and offline, with growth also returning to outlet numbers in the offline space. Value increases were seen across most channels, although growth in outlet numbers was…

Sri Lanka experienced an economic crisis in 2022 with hyperinflation and severe import restrictions due to a lack of dollars. Many retailers struggled to meet demand with the country experiencing severe shortages, including for key products such as…

Retail in 2023 presented a mixed landscape in Taiwan, marked by economic challenges as the country grappled with a recession in the first quarter. This downturn was primarily attributed to a decline in exports and subdued global demand for…

Thailand’s retail industry in 2023 continued to evolve and improve, responding to growing demand from consumers with convenience as a key driver. The wholesale and retail sectors, along with the vehicle maintenance and household goods sectors, have…

Despite persisting inflationary pressures, retail in the Philippines recorded healthy growth in in current value terms in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. Sales were boosted an increase in mobility, including the return of Filipinos…

The digital revolution has been rewiring retail for years, leading to new business models, commerce ecosystems and channels for reaching and engaging consumers. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition, as e-commerce became the default…

The digital revolution has been rewiring retail for years. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transition as e-commerce became the default setting for many homebound consumers. The crisis-inspired surge in e-commerce is leading to a permanent…

Despite the deleterious impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Uzbekistan recorded positive annual real GDP growth of 1.9% in 2020. With the reopening of the economy, as well as higher state investment and a recovery in remittance inflows that bolstered…

Retail in Vietnam struggled in 2023, facing pressures from inflation and a weakening export market, among other things. Local consumers cut back on spending which negatively impacted several retail categories, including appliances and electronics…

Asia Pacific is currently the largest and fastest growing retail tissue market in the world and still has huge room for growth due to its fast-growing economy. Rising urbanisation and average disposable income coupled with growing hygiene awareness…

In a cross-category trend, inflation was creating sales patterns in retail tissue in Azerbaijan in 2023. Despite the inflationary pressures starting to slow down in 2023, there has been a lot of disruption with supply chains (connected to the ongoing…

While the Chinese economy is slowly recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, consumer confidence has not yet been restored. People are struggling in the face of a potential economic downturn and have cut down consumption of consumer goods across all…

In general, the growth of the category has been driven by unit price increases caused by the rising cost of raw materials. However, manufacturers are reluctant to raise their retail prices significantly, as consumers are sensitive to price increases.…

In 2023, retail tissue continued to experience double-digit retail volume and current value growth in India, on the basis of changing hygiene practices, increasing consumer awareness, and habit persistence. Traditionally, cloth rags and fabric were…

Retail tissue in Indonesia saw a boost in overall volume and current value sales in 2023, driven by consistent population growth and a growing trend towards urbanisation. The migration from rural to urban areas is leading to improved standards of…

Retail tissue turned to decline in Japan in volume terms in 2023, although current value growth continued. 2022 and 2023 were years of price increases for the category. For instance, Daio Paper increased the B2C product shipment price by 15% or more…

There was a fall in constant value sales for retail tissue in Kazakhstan in 2023. Volume growth was also subdued, in spite of continuing population growth. Russia is a key exporter of cellulose, but due to the war in Ukraine and sanctions, it found…

We note a trend towards premiumisation in retail tissue in 2023 in Malaysia. This is evidenced by Vinda Deluxe (Vinda Malaysia Sdn Bhd) continuing to grow its share. This player uses strong marketing and promotional campaigns across online platforms,…

Retail tissue in Pakistan performed strongly across the board in 2023 in terms of volume growth. Toilet paper, in particular, registered significant growth, with volume sales increasing by a fifth. Continuing population growth supported increased…

In Singapore, there has been a discernible uptick in the demand for premium tissue products, particularly in the realm of toilet paper. Consumers are increasingly gravitating towards higher-quality options, reflecting a shift in preferences towards a…

In the aftermath of COVID-19, retail tissue in South Korea was initially poised for decline, along with the return to activities outside the home; however, the category demonstrated resilience in 2023. Contrary to expectations, retail tissue recorded…

Retail tissue in Taiwan saw a vastly improved performance in and current value terms in 2023. This trend was due to some extent to rising raw material and supply chain costs, which led to price increases across their category. Retailers and…

Retail tissue saw accelerated growth in Thailand in 2023 with a notable increase in retail volume terms. This was driven by evolving trends in family hygiene practices, particularly in rural areas where there has been a transition to using retail…

Retail tissue saw continued growth in both volume terms and current value terms in 2023. This trend was supported better economic conditions, combined with enhanced hygiene concerns as a result of the recent pandemic. The category is dominated by…

Retail tissue was seeing strong value growth in Uzbekistan in 2023, primarily attributed to hikes in unit prices. These price increases have come about due to manufacturers’ elevated costs of raw materials, energy and utilities, logistics, and…

A greater focus on hygiene and improving living standards continued to drive strong and stable growth for retail tissue in Vietnam in both value and volume terms. Whereas in the past most people in rural areas of Vietnam were used toilet paper for…

Asia Pacific remains the largest region globally for rice, pasta and noodles. Positive growth has continued to be seen in 2022, in spite of price increases caused by supply and cost challenges arising from the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and global…

Overall, rice, pasta and noodles is expected to register moderate constant value and volume growth. Rice continues to account for most volume sales and it is a key ingredient in local dishes. Pasta registers lower volume growth in 2023 than rice, as…

The performance of rice, pasta and noodles is expected to show a mixed picture in China in 2023, reflecting changing consumer preferences and market dynamics. Retail volume declines are expected for the main categories, rice and noodles, mainly due…

Rice, pasta and noodles is expected to see total volume growth in Hong Kong in 2023, with the anticipated volume decline in retail expected to be offset by growth in foodservice. In 2023, rice and pasta in Hong Kong are set to experience slight…

Despite its already high base, rice, pasta and noodles in India saw dynamic double-digit retail volume and current value growth in 2023, with strong increases across all categories. With increasing digital penetration, the usage of OTT platforms such…

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…

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…

Instant noodles continues to account for significant value sales in Kazakhstan and in 2023, is expected to outperform pasta and rice, registering very healthy volume growth. Russian company Mareven continues to lead, with its popular brands Rollton…

Retail sales of rice saw continued growth in volume terms in 2023. This was in spite of the rising price of imported rice, thanks to the depreciation of the local currency, the ringgit, and disruptions to the global supply chain. Malaysia imports a…

Rice is a key staple in Pakistan and in 2023 is expected to register healthy volume growth, as its affordability, as well as continuing population growth support volume sales. Local farmers are also in a position to supply local demand and this keeps…

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…

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 Taiwan aligned with the trends influenced by the resumption of out-of-home lifestyles in 2023. As consumers returned to the office and travel and social norms they were more likely to dine out. As in other categories of…

Sales of rice, pasta, and noodles benefit from such products being affordable staples, especially during a time of economic uncertainty, when consumers are cooking at home regularly. In particular, rice is seeing the highest growth as rice continues…

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…

Dried pasta and rice remain two of the most important staple sources of starchy carbohydrates for much of the population of Uzbekistan. Rice in particular is a key category of staple foods and it is the key component of the country’s most famous and…

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…

Asia Pacific is the key region for RTD coffee globally, accounting for nearly 80% of global sales. Much of this is due to Japan, with sales of USD11 billion. However, home seclusion due to COVID-19 hit the Japanese market hard, which accelerated the…