Latin America

Despite positive sales in certain categories, imported brands encountered significant challenges in meeting consumer demand. Bureaucratic hurdles related to imports created scenarios where retailers struggled to offer various models from different…

While demand for personal care appliances in Brazil rises further, current value sales continue to record dynamic double-digit growth in 2023. Inflationary pressures continue to push up the average unit price although at a slower rate than in 2022.…

Due to the lower price points of personal care appliances and the fact that the purchasing process tends to be much quicker than it is for more expensive consumer appliances, category sales have rebounded from the previous year’s decline.

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.…

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on personal care appliances in Mexico. As consumers worked and studied from home and socialised less, with restrictions on social gatherings like weddings, baptisms, birthday parties and quinceañeras – a…

Personal luxury retail value sales rose by 93% in current terms in 2023 to reach ARS114.7 billion, with the strongest growth recorded by the leading brand owners such as France Argentine Cosmetics SA and Puig Argentina SA. This very positive sales…

Personal luxury retail sales grew by 8% in current value terms to reach BRL17.8 billion in 2023, supported by growth being recorded by leading players like Puig Brasil Comercializadora de Perfumes S/A, LVMH Fashion Group Brasil Ltda and Procosa…

Personal luxury retail value sales increased by 12% in 2023 to total MXN102.7 billion, with growth recorded by leading brand providers, such as Louis Vuitton México S de RL CV and Grupo Axo SAPI de CV. 2023 value sales growth was boosted by consumers…

Lima is projected to remain Peru’s most populous city by 2027, serving as a prime location for internet-based businesses due to its superior connectivity. Meanwhile, cities like Chimbote grapple with inflation, and Tacna enjoys high disposable…

Natural increase will be the key driver of population expansion in Peru in 2021-2040. As the ageing trend accelerates consumer trends will be impacted and state resources will be put under further pressure. Urbanisation will continue at a rapid pace.…

In 2022, Peru witnessed population growth, driven by stable natural change and rising life expectancy. The country is facing the arrival of Venezuelan refugees, as well as political unrest. In 2022, Gen Z emerged as the largest generation, and is…

Anguilla enjoys political stability and low corruption levels, with relatively high trust in the government. Its economy was severely impacted by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, given its substantial exposure to tourism. However, the country…

Antigua and Barbuda has autonomy over its political affairs. However, the country is prone to corruption and suffers from high public debt. The country swiftly recovered from the pandemic-related economic downturn, thanks to rebounding tourism.…

Economic freedom is lacking in Argentina and the political landscape is unstable, whilst corruption continues to infiltrate the highest echelons of power. Hyperinflation is causing economic pain; however, currency weakness could help exporters. A…

Aruba has a stable political environment with solid governance. However, perceptions of corruption are rising on the island. As one of the most dependent territories on tourism in the world, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has ravaged the economy…

Limited taxation enables The Bahamas to enjoy relative economic freedom, but state finances are deteriorating. Significant exposure to tourism and adverse weather could scupper economic development in the short term, whilst unemployment is high. A…

Barbados enjoys political stability and is relatively free of corruption. Its break from the Commonwealth could destabilise this institution in the long term. Economic activity has been severely curtailed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, given…

Belize’s future remains uncertain, given claims over its territory, whilst corruption is rife. Substantial exposure to tourism could aid the economic rebound from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but foreign investment prospects remain bright.…

Bermuda has a stable political environment. However, state finances are stretched and could be further pressurised by a rapidly-ageing populace. The economy is expected to outperform peers in the short term, supported by solid activity in the…

Considerable state involvement hinders economic freedom in Bolivia, whilst government finances remain weak and a threat to stability. Although inflation has been controlled effectively, through subsidies and solid food production, the economy is…

President Lula’s rise to power may not reduce political instability and polarisation in Brazil, and could negatively affect economic freedom, which is already ‘mostly unfree’. Exports have shown resilience and inflation is falling, but economic…

The British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) tax haven status is damaging the territory’s reputation and could lead to political instability. Economic performance is likely to outpace peers in the short term, owing to tourism recovery and strength in financial…

The Cayman Islands benefit from political stability, but their position as a secretive financial offshore centre raises incidences of corruption. Tourism is the main economic activity, which has been negatively impacted by the pandemic yet aided…

Chile enjoys economic freedom and relatively low corruption, which has helped its private sector to develop, although political instability remains. The economy is slowing down markedly, as copper production is impeded, and unemployment is relatively…

Democracy has seen progress in Colombia, but the rule of law is weakened by organised criminal factions. Although slowing, the economy has outperformed peers, but the country is grappling with high inflation and reliance on oil remains substantial.…

Political stability and better government finances are adding to economic freedom in Costa Rica, but corruption is on the rise. Foreign investors continue to flock to the country, but the economy is moderating and prices are falling. Discretionary…

As one of the most ‘repressed’ countries globally, the autocratic communist regime is also creating social tensions. US sanctions continue to wreak havoc with the path of economic development, whilst Cubans leaving the country surge amid economic…

The Netherlands maintains considerable clout over the affairs of Curacao, which is leading to growing calls for a full split from the European nation. Given that the economy is highly dependent on tourism and oil refining, it has suffered at the…

Dominica enjoys relative political stability but whilst corruption is not a major problem, it has permeated the executive branch of government. Considerable dependence on agriculture and an underdeveloped tourism sector will lead to economic…

A more business-friendly government, elected in 2021, could improve economic freedom. However, protests by indigenous factions have been violently suppressed. Economic performance is expected to be stronger than the regional average, whilst…

Although government finances improved in El Salvador, the state continues to exhibit authoritarian tendencies and corruption remains an issue. Whilst inflation has fallen, economic momentum is moderating and the country’s high dependence on…

Support from France is crucial to the development of French Guiana, but while the relationship is generally cooperative, instances where tensions arise happen. The country has a strong space industry. Population growth will be strong, but it is…

Grenada enjoys political stability, although its state finances have deteriorated as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Tourism accounts for a large share of exports and output, which is likely to lead to economic underperformance…

French subsidies help to maintain political stability on Guadeloupe, although the islands are prone to civil unrest against socio-economic conditions. Substantial reliance on tourism resulted in recession in 2020, caused by the negative impact of the…

A weak rule of law is adversely affecting economic freedom, whilst Guatemala is witnessing political instability and suppression of freedom of expression. Although resilient, output growth is slowing as remittances reduce and the US economy falters…

Political instability has been partly to blame for a deterioration in peacefulness in Guyana, although efforts to tackle corruption are improving. The economy was the best performer globally in 2020, but major oil discoveries also raise the country’s…

Haiti suffers from considerable political instability and corruption is rife. Economic development will be severely hindered in the short term, owing to the devastation caused by the 2021 earthquake and the unstable political landscape, with…

Violence mars Honduran society and economic freedom, although state finances continued to improve. Economic momentum is slowing, as exports and remittances growth slow, but lower inflation will ease the pressure on households. Whilst the population…

Although generally stable and democratic, Jamaica is failing to control organised crime and corruption. Economic growth swiftly returned after the pandemic, but the country is over-reliant on the US. Consumer expenditure is growing, but ageing,…

Although Martinique does not suffer from undue corruption, its political environment has been prone to secessionist tendencies. Given that the economy is highly dependent on tourism, its recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic remains slow.…

Organised crime continues to negatively impact Mexico, owing to a weak rule of law, which is also beset by pervasive corruption, but government spending is a bright spot in economic freedom. The economy will continue to underperform peers, but…

An authoritarian regime using violence has reduced peace in Nicaragua and caused political instability. Consequently, the economy has suffered a prolonged recession, which has been exacerbated by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A major trade…

Corruption undermines economic freedom in Panama and protests have been widespread, although state finances are strengthening. Economic momentum has slowed, but foreign investment is increasing and the Panama Canal continues to play an important role…

A weak rule of law and endemic corruption hamper economic freedom in Paraguay, although the tax burden remains very low and government finances are sustainable. In the medium term, the economy will outperform the regional average and inflation has…

Although political instability and corruption continue to be themes in Peru, economic freedom is the third best in South America. Inflation is falling, but the economy is slowing and copper exports could be hindered further, whilst uncertainty in the…

Puerto Rico, a US territory, grapples with economic challenges such as high unemployment and debt amid debates about its political status. Culturally diverse, the island faces social issues like poverty and emigration. Yet, initiatives in technology,…

Dependence on the Netherlands for fiscal support is a source of uncertainty for Sint Maarten. Crime rates are high and the country’s sovereign credit has been downgraded. Excessive reliance on tourism caused a severe recession, given the impact of…

St. Kitts and Nevis, a dual-island nation in the Caribbean, showcases political stability within a parliamentary democracy. Its economy hinges on tourism, agriculture, and a citizenship-by-investment program driving foreign investment. The country…

St Lucia’s stable and democratic island is challenged by endemic corruption and worsening labour freedoms. Economic growth recovered to pre-pandemic pace, but attempts at diversification need ramping up. Consumer expenditure is rising, but poverty…

St Vincent and the Grenadines enjoy political stability and low levels of corruption, but crime is rising. A small population that is hardly growing diminishes the appeal of the consumer market, whilst the populace is also ageing. Internet use is…