Colombia

The Colombian economy began to recover in the second half of 2021, and growth reached 7.5% by the end of 2022, fuelled by fiscal stimulus, increased oil prices and a boost in food and beverages exports, which registered a 24% increase. However,…

In 2023, retail e-commerce in Colombia recorded further strong despite the government eliminating the VAT-free day. Growth was, however, slower in the year due to a retailer-driven shift to physical stores. This shift was supported by sale events,…

Discounters in Colombia recorded further growth in 2023, with the main players focusing on a providing a positive customer experience. Currently 32 hypermarkets have been converted into Éxito Wow, which represents 35.4% of the brand’s sales. This…

In 2023, sales of home products specialists in Colombia were impacted by declines experienced by leading home improvement and gardening brands, including Homecenter and Easy, as consumers with limited budgets due to the economic environment…

Health and beauty specialists recorded another year of strong current value growth in 2023 due to the lack of pandemic-related restrictions and social distancing, and the return to work and social events. The cosmetic and health industry in the…

In 2023, sales of general merchandise stores in Colombia recorded retail value and volume growth, with discount variety stores seeing the best performance in the year due to the tough economic environment and inflationary pressure. Dollarcity, a…

Double-digit growth was seen in discounters in Colombia in 2023, reflecting a change in the consumption habits of local consumers who are looking for more affordable options in a time of economic uncertainty and budget constraints. Discounters have…

In 2023, direct selling in Colombia has benefited from its ease and speed of purchase, product variety and payment options. Growth is also attributable to expansion into more remote areas of the country. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, direct…

In 2023, value growth of convenience retailers in Colombia was supported by increasingly busy lifestyles, forcing consumers to shop little and often and increasingly buy breakfast and lunch to-go. Convenience retailers have shown agility and…

In 2023, appliances and electronics specialists in Colombia were impacted by economic uncertainty and the consequent reduced consumer demand for large appliances and electronics, such as refrigerators, smartphones, and laptops. Also, the Ministry of…

Apparel and footwear specialists experienced another successful year in 2023, with moderate current value growth as consumers resumed their pre-pandemic lifestyles. The approaches to apparel and footwear, which feature strongly in consumers’…

In 2023, personal wipes in Colombia recorded high price increases, which led to a retail volume decline, despite double-digit retail value growth. Wipes had been amongst the strongest performing tissue and hygiene categories over the review period,…

In 2023, tissue and hygiene products in Colombia continued to face price hikes above the inflation rate. While high prices led to positive retail value growth, this placed pressure on retail volume sales. Economic uncertainty affected consumers'…

In 2023, incontinence Rx/Reimbursement recorded a rate that, although positive, has been the lowest since 2020. Even though these products are covered by MIPRES, a system in which physicians prescribe medicines, nutritional supplements, and diapers…

In 2023, retail tissue in Colombia recorded positive, double-digit retail value growth, bolstered by rising inflation and ongoing price hikes. However, retail volume growth for toilet paper remained low, despite players reducing the meters and weight…

In 2023, retail adult incontinence in Colombia registered a slowdown in retail volume terms compared to the COVID-19 years. Despite this, retail volume sales exceeded the volume rates recorded in 2019. However, price increases, although smaller…

In 2023, retail volume sales of nappies/diapers/pants in Colombia continued to be steady. Due to rising inflation and hikes in price points, Colombian parents were forced to make budget adjustments to cover basic needs. Price pressure saw consumers…

Menstrual care in Colombia recorded double-digit retail value growth in 2023, driven by rising inflation and ongoing price hikes. Although Nosotras remained the leading brand on the landscape, the player lost market share in 2023 as consumers sought…

In 2023 in Colombia, AFH (away-from-home) tissue continued to record positive growth rates, with volume exceeding rates recorded in 2019. This performance was supported by the total return to normality after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. This…

Toilet care products are seeing a mix of trends according to the different categories. Faced with the sharp rise in costs, companies have been forced to increase retail prices in 2023 and this has curbed demand. Declining volume sales has been seen…

The COVID-19 pandemic triggered a sharp increase in demand for surface care products, particularly in multipurpose cleaners and home disinfectants. In the following years, retail volumes have receded although total surface care sales remain well…

Despite the strong price increases witnessed in 2023, shoe polishes performed exceptionally well in retail volume terms, with a full recovery above pre-pandemic levels. This trend has been driven by the full return to face-to-face classes in schools…

Retail prices of laundry care products continued to experience significant increases in 2023, with double-digit growth rates well above the rate of inflation. The impact of rising prices varied according to category. While volume sales of powdered…

The high cost of living in Colombia has forced many consumers to focus on basic home care products and goods when shopping, which has had a slight impact on home insecticides. The category has also been affected by the shortage of rain in areas like…

In 2023, home care products registered notable price hikes, with most rising above inflation which continued to increase year on year. Consumers have felt a decrease in purchasing power since 2022, but this trend became more acute in 2023 with…

In 2023, hand dishwashing saw limited growth in volume terms, although this was an improvement on the declines seen in the year prior. Hand dishwashing decreased in 2022 as Colombians started spending more time out of the home after the COVID-19…

Bleach is a very mature category in Colombia, reaching more than 95% of households. Disinfection has become less relevant in 2023, as the threat of COVID-19 subsided. However, retail volume sales of bleach are still above pre-pandemic levels as the…

As less essential home care products, air care suffered a contraction in volume sales in 2023, with consumers being heavily impacted by rising price points and inflation, causing them to rethink their budgets. The trend towards hybrid working, which…

Street stalls/kiosks continued to be popular in 2023. While hot dogs, hamburgers and empanadas are the most ubiquitous street food offerings, they only scratch the surface of the diversity available. Along the Caribbean coast, stands specialise in…

In October 2023, the first IKEA store in Colombia was opened, in Bogotá. There are also plans for additional stores in Medellín and Cali by 2024. Along with furniture and home goods, the outlet also has the IKEA distinctive self-service cafeteria.…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, limited services restaurant registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise.…

Breakfast has emerged as a new consumption opportunity in the foodservice industry. Traditionally considered a quick and basic meal, the perception of breakfast has evolved, and restaurants are capitalising on this. Restaurants are taking creative…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, consumer foodservice registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise and…

A virtual restaurant in an emerging concept. Also known as a ghost kitchen, cloud kitchen or dark kitchen, it is a foodservice business that serves customers exclusively by delivery or pick-up, with technology driving a lot of the operations. Some of…

In spite of continuing rising prices in 2023, cafés/bars registered an increase in constant value sales and there was also further opening of new outlets. However, profit margins were under strain, as costs also continued to rise. These rising costs,…

There was a clear shift in consumer preferences in Columbia in 2022, of which the main one was emphasising a delicate balance between affordability and quantity. This trend, driven by environmental consciousness and economic concerns amid rising…

Colombia, historically linked with drug trafficking, has undergone a noteworthy transformation by actively cultivating a well-regulated cannabis industry. The legalisation of medical cannabis, the establishment of a legal framework for licensed…

Vacuum cleaners in Colombia witnessed a substantial decline in sales volume compared to the preceding year, primarily attributed to the country's economic downturn. Reduced consumer incomes prompted prioritisation of essential goods over…

Following a surge during the pandemic, small cooking appliances has evidenced a moderate volume decrease in 2023, chiefly influenced by a significant decline in light fryers. While this downturn suggests a stabilisation post the pandemic-induced…

The sales volume of refrigeration appliances has witnessed a considerable decline, primarily influenced by the prevailing economic conditions that have adversely impacted consumer purchasing power. A significant factor contributing to this downturn…

Despite the challenging economic climate in Colombia, personal care appliances has exhibited continued albeit moderated growth in 2023. Notably, the growth, albeit marginal, is primarily propelled by the rising popularity of body shavers among men.…

Once again, the sales volume within the microwave category has experienced a decline compared to the preceding year. A prolonged struggle with innovation challenges has led these products to cede market share to alternatives deemed more functional.…

Large cooking appliances faced a notable decline in sales volume, strongly influenced by the contraction within the real estate sector. This downturn in 2023 can be primarily attributed to the reduced construction of new homes, a trend that…

The economic landscape in the country has resulted in a noticeable decline in the sales volume of home laundry appliances. Throughout 2023, there has been a significant decrease in the sales of automatic dryers and washing machines. Several factors…

Within the realm of food preparation appliances, blenders have showcased consistent growth in both sales volume and value throughout 2023, defying expectations following the relaxation of pandemic restrictions. Their steadfast performance can be…

Dishwashers in Colombia witnessed a slight decrease in sales volume compared to the previous year, primarily due to a contraction in the country's construction sector, directly impacting the category. The decline is chiefly attributed to a decrease…

Consumer appliances in Colombia encountered moderate growth in 2023, marking the lowest volume growth in the past six years. Major appliances suffered a decline in volume sales, impacted by multiple factors, including reduced purchasing power among…

Air treatment products in Colombia witnesses robust double-digit growth, primarily attributed to the soaring demand for cooling fans. This surge is driven by hotter weather conditions in 2023 due to the El Niño phenomenon, prompting consumers to seek…

Sports drinks are one of the soft drinks categories consumed on-the-go, typically after workouts at the gym, public fitness events like marathons or fun runs, or with organised sports. Aligning with the growing trend of healthcare and wellness, the…

The Colombian economy began its recovery in the latter half of 2021. This growth was fuelled by fiscal stimulus measures implemented in 2021, rising oil prices, and a surge in food and beverage exports, which recorded a significant increase in 2022.…