China

Tourist arrivals in China were seen to recover in 2023, despite global macroeconomic pressures such as high inflation and the rapid escalation of living costs. This was an improvement on previous years, when the pandemic prevented people from…

Value sales of fine wines/champagne and spirits grew by 9% to total CNY829.6 billion in 2023, boosted by consumers’ appetite for experiences and enjoyment after the pandemic. Socialising over a drink with friends remains a priority for many,…

Retail value sales of luxury goods in China grew by 6% in 2023 in current terms, to stand at CNY3 trillion. Growth in sales was fuelled by several factors during the post-lockdown period. One significant driver was a desire amongst affluent consumers…

Personal luxury retail value sales grew by 15% in 2023 to amount to CNY413.1 billion, thanks to growth recorded by leading brand providers such as LVMH Fashion (Shanghai) Trading Co Ltd, Richemont SA, Cie Financière, and LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis…

Value sales of premium and luxury cars rose by 4% to total CNY1.7 trillion in 2023, due to demand from higher-income consumers, with expenditure proving resilient in the face of macroeconomic headwinds. Wealth determines the degree of demand that…

The global agriculture industry recorded moderate positive growth in 2022, mainly driven by high commodity prices and global food inflation. Climate change, natural disasters, rising labour shortages, geopolitical tensions, rising protectionism and…

In 2022, construction grappled with rising interest rates and living costs, affecting residential, industrial and commercial sectors. Government commitments to infrastructure drove demand. Despite cost surges, solid demand allowed passing expenses to…

The briefing examines how the furniture industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of furniture output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry profitability and…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with rising income inequality being among the key ones. Nevertheless, addressing the income inequality through catering to the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Middle Class…

This briefing examines how the automotive industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of automotive output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry profitability…

The health and wellness industry continues to grow in importance post-pandemic as consumers become more aware of the negative health impact of processed foods, seeking healthier foods and beverages from a range of claims such as natural, organic,…

In recent years, there has been a notable surge in health-consciousness amongst Chinese consumers. This positive trend can be attributed, in part, to a concerted effort by the government through its "Three Reduce" campaign, which aims to curtail the…

Protein has been regarded as important nutrition for boosting immunity since the emergence of COVID-19 in 2020. This has led to the boom of high protein claims in dairy products and alternatives, and has been driving new product developments with a…

In 2022, there was a noticeable increase in consumer interest in fortified/functional hot drinks, due to the significant health and wellness benefits they offer. These hot drinks provide a convenient way for individuals to incorporate beneficial…

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…

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…

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…

Rising costs of living pose challenges globally, but companies can find opportunities in several categories, essential and discretionary, especially in underpenetrated fast-growing markets. By considering category adjacencies and focusing on value,…

The briefing examines how the hotels and restaurants industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of hotels and restaurants output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs,…

The briefing examines how the information and communications (ICT) industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of ICT output. The report also provides data for turnover, market size, industry costs, industry profitability…

Insights and data on the traditional automotive sector and the mobility industry can help businesses examine how changing travel patterns will impact future consumer behaviour. Growing climate pressures and rising urbanisation rates are pushing…

The briefing examines how the chemical products industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of chemical products output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry…

While many people have adopted a more casual and minimalist approach to their clothing style, their pursuit of aesthetics and individuality remains undiminished. They tend to lean towards using apparel accessories to embellish their simple attire and…

With the end of the zero-COVID policy towards the end of 2022, China’s consumer landscape has undergone a gradual transition back to normalcy. While 2023 experienced a temporary dip in sales of apparel and footwear, influenced by both COVID-19 and…

As pandemic restrictions were lifted in China at the beginning of 2023, bricks-and-mortar sales have gradually been returning after the 2022 decline due to periodic lockdowns. The apparel and footwear industry, including childrenswear, is therefore…

After the lifting of the zero-COVID policy and the subsequent relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions at the beginning of 2023, the restoration of logistics and a resurgence in offline consumption was seen. This, in turn, is set to catalyse a…

Despite the downturn in retail current value sales in 2022, which can be attributed to the impact of pandemic-induced restrictions, the alleviation of such measures in 2023 is poised to herald a resurgence for hosiery, culminating in a notable…

Thanks to the end of the zero-COVID policy and the resurgence of retro fashion, jeans is set to experience significant high single-digit current value growth in 2023. The popularity of the retro trend has not only favoured denim jeans, but has also…

Since the end of the zero-COVID policy, the consumer environment has been gradually returning to normal, and menswear is anticipated to experience a substantial single-digit rebound in China in 2023, although is not quite expected to revert to its…

The massive lockdowns and widespread COVID-19 infections in 2022 weighed down sales of sportswear in China, which registered a slight current value decline in this year. Nevertheless, outdoor apparel and footwear kept outperforming the overall…

With the end to the zero-COVID policy in the country, and the return to a more normal consumer environment, womenswear is expected to experience a substantial single-digit current value rebound in China in 2023, drawing close to the level of sales…

The transportation industry is undergoing a paradigm shift away from fossil fuels amid growing global pressures to reduce carbon emissions. The report assesses the market for EV batteries and essential metals such as lithium and cobalt and points out…

Baked goods is set to return to growth in retail volume and current value terms in 2023. In this year, leavened bread, which is the main category within bread, is set to see mid-single-digit retail current value growth in China, mainly driven by the…

In 2023, retail current value sales of breakfast cereals are expected to return to growth after decline in 2022. However, value growth is set to be negligible, and retail volume sales are set to see a slight decline, partly due to the return to…

Consumer credit is set to see a moderate rebound in 2023, following subdued demand in 2022, affected by the pandemic. The pick-up in consumer credit growth has largely been due to rises in home and card lending, reflecting some improvement in…

Demand for consumer lending is set to see a moderate rebound in 2023, as the pandemic has eased, and consumer spending has returned, especially on services and in other discretionary categories. However, growth in consumer lending in China is…

The number of credit cards in circulation and credit card current value transactions are expected to increase in 2023, mainly driven by further improvements in mobility and economic conditions after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted at the end of…

In 2023, debit card spending is expected to see year-on-year growth both in terms of payment transactions and payment values, derived from pent-up demand over the last three years, which has been released in this year. Many consumers have taken the…

Financial cards and payments in China is set to see a rebound in 2023, following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. Consumers have taken the reopening of society as an opportunity to increase their discretionary spending, particularly in the areas…

As of July 2023, 10 pre-paid card issuers had had their payment clearing license revoked, according to PBOC (People’s Bank of China). In fact, the majority of these issuers voluntarily cancelled their licenses, affected by stringent government…

Processed fruit and vegetables is set to see dynamic retail volume and current value growth in China in 2023, with shelf stable fruit remaining the dominant category and driving growth. At the beginning of 2023, with COVID-19 lockdown restrictions…

In 2023, similar retail volume and current value growth rates are expected for processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat compared with 2021, after seeing a stronger performance in 2022. COVID-19 restrictions were lifted from the beginning of…

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…

Pandemic restrictions were lifted in China at the beginning of 2023; thus, production, logistics, and product availability have gradually resumed in staple foods. However, after a year of exceptional growth in 2022, retail volume sales are set to…