North America

Sales growth slowed for discounters in the US in current value terms in 2023, reflecting a general trend in the grocery retailers space, as inflation led consumers to volume buys and cheaper meal planning. Nonetheless, discounters recorded one of the…

Direct selling continued its declining trend in both value terms at constant 2023 prices and in current value terms for the second year running in the US in 2023. The impressive growth posted by direct selling in 2020 has not been sustained. As a…

As it did for many industries, the pandemic distorted the growth curve for convenience retailers. Following historically high current value growth rates in 2021 and 2022, sales slowed for convenience retailers (which encompasses convenience stores…

In 2023, sales of appliances and electronics specialists in the US declined for a second year running in both current value terms and in value terms at constant 2023 prices. The inflationary environment led consumers to postpone discretionary…

In 2023, current value growth in apparel and footwear specialists slowed for a second year in a row in the US, as demand continued to normalise relative to 2021, and consumers managed through another year of high inflation. This is a bit misleading,…

In 2023, baby wipes in Canada emerged as a resilient category within personal wipes, experiencing robust growth driven by multiple factors. Heightened awareness of hygiene, coupled with increased product accessibility and versatility, contributed to…

KioSoft launched KioVend vending machines in Canada in 2023, offering a wide range of ready-to-use snacks and drinks. While most vending machines are sold by aggregators who rely on third parties for payments, KioVend controls all aspects of its…

Despite the easing inflationary environment in 2023, certain product areas within the Canadian tissue and hygiene market continue to witness price boosts. On average, lower price increases are observed in Canada compared to the US. The inflation rate…

Supermarkets players in Canada faced some notable challenges in 2023, such as rising prices, a potential recession, high levels of uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions. These factors continue to test the loyalty of Canadian consumers, many of…

Small local grocers were becoming more popular in Canada in 2023, as they offered convenience, variety, and fresh products to urban consumers leading ever more hectic lifestyles. Small format stores allow retailers to adapt to changing consumer…

In 2023, value sales of retail tissue in Canada recorded steady growth. The country’s annual inflation rate settled around 3.1%, a much steadier adjustment than the 40-year high of 6.8% that it witnessed in 2022, according to the Consumer Price…

The retail market in Canada showed remarkable resilience and growth in 2023, despite the challenges posed by the enduring impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the high rate of inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Canadian consumers continued to spend…

The growth of retail e-commerce slowed down in Canada in 2023. However, the channel saw sales continue to rise in both current and constant value terms, with retail e-commerce having become a regular feature in the shopping patterns of a broad range…

Educational efforts from brands and retailers, coupled with the ageing Canadian population, have significantly contributed to a positive outlook for retail adult incontinence in 2023 and beyond. As demographics shift and the population ages, there is…

Canada experienced significant inflation in 2022, impacting consumer purchasing power and leading to reduced spending, particularly on essential items like nappies/diapers/pants. However, 2023 saw a marginal increase in volume consumption as…

Following the high inflation in 2022, Canada experienced a slight alleviation in 2023, with inflation subsiding to more usual levels. However, residual effects of increased living costs persisted, restraining consumer spending. Despite these…

In 2023, the hypermarkets channel in Canada faced increased competition from online platforms, discounters, and convenience stores, which are offering more convenience, value, and variety to consumers. Online platforms, such as Amazon, Shopify, and…

Canadian Tire, the second largest player in the home products specialists channel in Canada in 2023, behind Home Depot, launched several initiatives towards the end of the review period. Triangle Select is a new annual fee-based subscription…

In 2023, beauty specialists and pharmacies drove growth in overall health and beauty specialist retailers in Canada. Beauty specialists continued to benefit from the post-COVID-19 surge in demand. With the channel already exceeding pre-pandemic sales…

General merchandise stores continued to tap into changing consumer demand trends in Canada in 2023. High interest rates coupled with a persistently high rate of inflation caused Canadian consumers to change their shopping habits towards the end of…