North America

Wine in the US maintained total volume decline and current value growth in 2023. Following 2022 and the rise of inflation, 2023 was marked by continued increases in unit prices across beverages, and wine was no different from other alcoholic drinks.…

2023 was a difficult year for spirits. Despite experiencing a period of high growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, the category faced an increasingly challenging environment due to both consumer and industry dynamics. Supply chain issues and rising…

In 2023, RTDs in the US maintained total volume decline along with current value growth. The common trend in alcoholic drinks of value growth and volume decline in 2023 aligns with the resonant message of premiumisation, particularly “less but…

While overall cider/perry in the US marked 2023 with a loss of volume and value sales, and a loss of share in overall alcoholic drinks, advocates paint a rosier picture for the category’s performance and outlook. Much in the same way the larger…

Total volume sales of beer in the US continued to decline in 2023. Bud Light, the long-reigning beer brand by volume in the US, saw a devasting loss in volumes in terms of actual sales and share in 2023, due to a pernicious culture war-driven boycott…

In 2023, the collective weight of inflationary pressures, waning consumer confidence, and persistent brand boycotts led total volume sales of alcoholic drinks in the US to drop to their lowest level in a decade. Bright spots existed in categories…

Although PET jars still lead packaging in chocolate spreads, glass jars have been gaining unit volume share in this category. Glass jars are considered more environmentally friendly than plastic packaging as they are recyclable and can be reused.…

While HDPE bottles, PET bottles and PET jars are the main pack types in mayonnaise in Canada, glass jars were gaining share in unit volume terms in this category over the review period, with this expected to continue over the forecast period. Glass…

Processed meat and seafood packaging had been in decline for a number of years before the pandemic resulted in a growth spike in 2020 in Canada. Since 2020, it has been back in decline, including another fall in its packaging unit volumes in 2023.…

Glass jars are popular for use in shelf stable vegetables packaging in Canada due to their exceptional preservation properties, visual appeal and environmental credentials. These qualities make them a popular choice for manufacturers and consumers…

While brick liquid cartons and gable top liquid cartons are still the biggest pack types in the category in unit volume terms, shaped liquid cartons are seeing strong growth and gaining share in the packaging of plant-based milk in Canada. Shaped…

Due to factors like recyclability and functional design, folding cartons continue to gain pack type share in frozen ready meals in Canada, having already become the most popular packaging format in the category over the review period, just ahead of…

In 2023, the pack type share of HDPE bottles continued to increase for goat milk packaging. HDPE is a food-safe plastic that does not leach harmful chemicals into the products it holds. This helps maintain the freshness and quality of dairy products…

Flexible packaging continues to be the dominant packaging in confectionery, with flexible plastic the main individual pack type thanks to its strong position in chocolate confectionery. Flexible plastic is also the most-used pack type for sugar…

Stand-up pouches are the most popular pack type in Canadian baby food, including both plastic pouches and aluminium/plastic pouches. They are viewed as offering a modern look, while being lighter and safer than glass, and enabling infants to feed…

Consumer Lifestyles offers valuable insights into key consumer attitudes and current thinking, and their impact on purchasing and consumption habits; quantifying behaviours, preferences and motivations, and aligning them with broader trends.

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits.

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits. 

The briefing explores trends in the global structure amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. As global economy evolves, countries and companies will need to find ways to diversify the supply of critical components. This will require…

Tobacco in Canada is undergoing significant structural changes with traditional cigarettes losing ground due to declining smoking rates and the switch to alternative vaping products. Cigarette production witnessed a significant decrease in 2023 with…

Following the relaxation of pandemic-related restrictions, sunglasses in the US showed signs of recovery in 2021, and surpassed the pre-pandemic (2019) level of current value sales in 2022. This resurgence was fuelled by a return to outdoor…

Sunglasses in Canada resumed value growth in the first months of 2024 after experiencing a decline in 2023. This decline was primarily attributed to a normalisation of sales following a robust travel-induced recovery in 2022. Additionally, consumers…

In 2024, spectacles in the US is set to post mid-single-digit current value growth, with increases across all categories. Unit prices are expected to see slower increases as the inflated economic environment has stabilised in the US. Volume growth is…

2024 has seen a return to normalised growth for spectacles in Canada, following a strong 2023, which has been benefitting from the tailwind of consumers returning to workplaces and engaging in out-of-home activities after public COVID-19 safety…

From 2023, vape stores in Quebec are unable to sell flavoured products. They can only sell tobacco or flavourless e-vapour sticks. Volume sales of E-vapour products have declined by up to 70% in this region following the introduction of these…

Following a surge in sales across contact lenses, spectacles, and sunglasses in previous years, eyewear in the US is set to experience slower, but positive, current value growth in 2024. With consumers embracing the “new normal” of the higher cost of…

Eyewear in Canada is witnessing a resurgence across all categories in 2024, following a year of mixed performance in 2023. While 2023 saw robust growth in contact lenses and spectacles, driven partly by pandemic-induced factors as consumers caught up…

Contact lenses and solutions in the US is set to maintain solid current value growth in 2024. Daily disposable lenses (DD) showed the most dynamic growth, with conventional lenses, frequent replacement lenses (FRP), and the related contact lens…

In 2024, there has been continued value growth in contact lenses and solutions sales in Canada, primarily driven by the steady return of consumers to workplaces and out-of-home activities following the rollback of COVID-19 safety measures by Canadian…

Despite challenges in the wider tobacco category, cigars in Canada continue to attract a dedicated following among cigar aficionados and other tobacco enthusiasts. There is a growing interest in pairing cigars with craft beverages, such as whiskey…

In 2023, Canada saw a significant decline in the production of traditional cigarettes, with January marking the third lowest monthly production on record. This decrease in production capacity in the tobacco manufacturing industry marks part of the…

Tobacco in the US continued its declining trend in current value terms in 2023, as the public health fight against tobacco intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the failure from the Biden Administration to achieve a comprehensive ban on…

Smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco in the US saw dynamic current value growth in 2023. There was a clear winner in this year, as nicotine pouches outperformed the rest of the category by a wide margin, and made a big splash in…

In 2023, homewares in the US witnessed a marginal downturn in current value terms, primarily due to pandemic-driven purchases saturating the market, and a prolonged replacement cycle. Compounded by the economic challenges of 2023, consumer spending…

In 2023, home improvement in the US experienced a current value decline, due to a combination of factors. As a result of economic uncertainty, investment in housing remaining subdued, and consumer spending was constrained, which led to reduced…

Home furnishings in the US turned to decline in current value terms in 2023, due to a stagnant real estate market and stretched disposable incomes. However, not all companies or categories saw a declining trend. The surge in direct-to-consumer (DTC)…

In 2023, home and garden in the US saw sales decline in current value terms, grappling with challenges stemming from various economic factors. The industry faced significant setbacks, witnessing declines in new orders, production output, and…

Gardening in the US maintained stable current value growth in 2023. Seeds witnessed a particularly dynamic increase in value sales, due to the “grow your own food” trend, along with the ongoing desire to eat healthily, which has continued since the…

Cigars and cigarillos in the US had an abrupt awakening in 2023, after the category experienced a current value decline for the first time in over a decade. This came off the back of a very strong performance in the pandemic and post-pandemic period…

Cigarettes in the US saw declines in both retail volume and current value terms in 2023. High inflationary pressure led to increased consumer spending on groceries, entertainment, fuel, and more, ultimately negatively impacting the consumption of…

The report examines the global landscape of EV charging, comparing its development against the rising uptake of EVs. It then takes a deep dive into EV charging trends across select major economies, delving into the competitive landscape and…

In 2023, video games in Canada experienced marginal growth following a decline in 2022 driven by the post-pandemic environment. While video games hardware witnessed volume declines, video games software, particularly digital formats, saw positive…

In 2023, the overall growth in retail value sales for traditional toys and games in Canada saw a decline, reflecting the impact of inflation on consumer spending habits. Categories like games and puzzles, which experienced a surge in demand during…

Traditional toys and games in Canada faced a challenging landscape in 2023, marked by declines across most categories as consumers tightened their belts amidst rising living costs. However, amidst the downturn, certain categories showed resilience.…

The US economy experienced robust growth in 2023, driven by increased private and public spending. However, economic growth is predicted to slow in 2024, due to tight monetary and fiscal policies. The federal funds rate is predicted to remain…

In 2023, Canada witnessed sluggish economic growth, hampered by weak investment and exports, tighter monetary policy and increasing household debt. Economic growth is projected to decelerate further in 2024, influenced by elevated interest rates,…

Homewares in Canada faced challenges in 2023, witnessing a decline in value sales due to supply chain disruptions and inflationary pressures. Global events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine and ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in China, led to stock…

Home improvement in Canada experienced a marginal contraction in value sales in 2023 at constant 2022 prices, despite registering marginal growth in current value terms. The subcategory performance varied, with areas like bathroom and sanitaryware…

Home furnishings in Canada faced challenges in 2023, witnessing declines in both current and constant value terms. This contraction was driven by several factors, including persistent inflation and a slowdown in new constructions impacting furniture…

In 2023, home and garden in Canada faced challenges stemming from persistent inflation, notably in food and energy prices, exacerbated by supply chain disruptions and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These factors contributed to a decline in current…