Retailing

In 2023, the retail sales of apparel specialist retailers in Taiwan bounced back significantly. Following a double-digit growth rate in 2022, which surpassed the modest growth recorded in 2021, several major international brands displayed remarkable…

Overall current value sales rose in 2023 for apparel and footwear specialists in Thailand, partly benefitting from the continued post-pandemic rebound. Thailand is a difficult market for fast fashion players, however. Even before the pandemic,…

Apparel and footwear specialists in Vietnam remained significantly impacted by a range of negative factors throughout 2023, even though global inflationary pressures led the Vietnamese government to lower the tax rate to 8% from July until the year’s…

Albeit recording slower growth compared to the previous year, appliances and electronics specialists in Singapore experienced another positive performance in 2023. In February 2022, the local government announced that the prevailing rate of Goods and…

Appliances and electronics specialists in Taiwan witnessed a fluctuating trajectory in 2023, shaped significantly by seasonal sales trends. While the pandemic-induced surge in demand for remote working and online schooling propelled sales of personal…

Current value sales in appliances and electronics specialists in Thailand continued their post-pandemic rebound in 2023. Over the end of 2022 and beginning of 2023, the Thai government introduced several stimulus measures, including the offer of cash…

2023 saw declines in demand for appliances and electronics specialists in Vietnam, with deep drops in current value sales as global economic uncertainty prompted consumers to adopt a more cautious approach towards their spending habits - particularly…

The full recovery of convenience stores in Singapore, which dominates value sales and outlet numbers within convenience retailers, has been driven by the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles. Consumers have returned to schools and offices, as the…

In 2023, convenience stores in Taiwan experienced expansion driven by various factors such as summer travels, festive seasons, typhoons, and back-to-school/work periods, all of which boosted demand for fresh food, coffee, packaged snacks, and…

Convenience stores in Thailand continued to recover and rise in 2023, with expansion in terms of outlet numbers a major driver. Rapid urbanisation, longer working hours, and declines in average household size boosted demand for smaller-format stores…

2023 saw convenience stores in Vietnam continue to expand rapidly in terms of number of outlets, especially into urban areas, as local lifestyles became increasingly busy. Convenience stores resonate with Gen Z consumers and students, gaining…

2022 was a strong growth year for direct selling in Singapore, due to the resumption of events and pre-pandemic lifestyles, which made it easier for sales agents to conduct outreach and engagement activities. While the channel recorded a marginal…

Direct selling companies in Taiwan are undergoing a significant transformation as they adapt to the evolving retail landscape, with a notable trend being the embrace of digital transformation. Recognising the increasing prominence of e-commerce and…

Direct selling in Thailand continued to fall in terms of current value sales in 2023, in a persistent decline that began in 2020 and has not let up since. However, the rate of the drop was significantly slower than in the previous year of 2022. The…

Direct selling declined in terms of current value sales in Vietnam in 2023, with the drop driven by the continued fall of leading brands Herbalife Nutrition, New Image, and Amway as they struggled in the context of global inflationary pressures.…

Variety stores in Singapore continued to record solid growth in 2023, driven by the rising cost-of-living pressures, which were a key area of concern for local consumers. Amid a muted economic climate, and rising prices as a result of inflation and…

Following two years of economic downturn, general merchandise stores in Taiwan experienced a remarkable resurgence 2023, witnessing double-digit growth in retail sales. Surpassing the convenience stores channel, general merchandise stores reclaimed…

Variety stores in Thailand saw positive though slowed growth in terms of current value sales in 2023. The segment was hit hard by the pandemic and its economic fallout; many local consumers remained reluctant to shop from variety stores as they…

General merchandise stores in Vietnam benefitted from increased inbound tourist flows in 2023, with Vietnam’s tourism industry continuing to rebound post-pandemic and luring millions of international visitors within the year’s first nine months.…

Similar to other retail channels such as apparel and footwear specialists, beauty specialists in Singapore benefited from the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles, such as a return to the office, social activities and international travel. With…

After two years of decline, health and beauty specialists in Taiwan experienced a significant resurgence in 2022, a trend that continued into 2023. With the easing of pandemic restrictions and the removal of mask mandates, consumers eagerly returned…

Retail current value sales in health and beauty specialists in Thailand rose again in 2023, with life returning to pre-pandemic patterns. The channel has so far shown strong recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Beauty specialist retailers such as…

Health and beauty specialists recorded a slowdown in terms of expansion of outlet numbers in Vietnam in 2023, with independent retailers in particular struggling in the face of raised rents and increased utility costs. The channel has been undergoing…

Despite recording a marginal decline in 2023 as demand started to stabilise following the surge during the pandemic and subsequent seclusion, value sales of homewares and home furnishing stores in Singapore remained above 2019 levels. Retail giant…

Amidst the backdrop of increased demand for home accessories and furniture during the pandemic, home products specialists in Taiwan witnessed a steady rise in retail sales in 2023. This growth was propelled by the surge in online sales, with homeware…

Home products specialists in Thailand saw significant expansion in 2023 as big brands continued to roll out new stores, especially upcountry, and to tailor their business models to cater to local demand. Over the review period consumers showed rising…

Home products specialists in Vietnam turned in a positive performance in 2023, with current value sales growth rising, though at a slower rate than was recorded in 2022 when the channel rebounded post-pandemic. Continued work-from-home trends have…

With the additional space available in hypermarkets in Singapore, operators have identified an opportunity to incorporate specific services offering greater value in an attempt to improve the in-store shopping experience and make a trip to the store…

During 2023, retail value sales of hypermarkets recorded steady growth, aided by online sales and the expansion of delivery platforms. For example, following its acquisition by PX Mart in 2022, RT Mart underwent marketing integration to optimise…

Hypermarkets in Thailand saw current value sales slow in 2023, though growth remained positive. While these stores benefit from selling large volumes, growth is suffering because players focus on targeting customers with medium-to-low purchasing…

Hypermarkets in Vietnam continued to focus on network expansion into tier 1 and tier 2 cities in 2023, in response to higher living standards and modern lifestyles. E-Mart opened three new outlets over 2022-2023. The player has also been actively…

E-commerce in Singapore experienced a marginal decline in value sales in 2023 due to the normalisation of shopping habits. This was expected, given the sharp growth recorded by the channel during the pandemic, when consumers had limited alternatives…

As e-commerce in Taiwan matures, the dynamics of online shopping are undergoing significant shifts, presenting both challenges and opportunities for retailers. Despite experiencing growth in retail value sales in 2023, the pace of expansion has…

E-commerce sales in Thailand saw slowed but strong growth in terms of current value in 2023. The channel still accounts for an only small percentage of retail overall, though growth has been rapid and remained robust in 2023. At the same time, there…

In 2023 retail e-commerce in Vietnam continued to see robust rises, recording faster current value sales growth than it did in 2022. Vietnamese consumers are increasingly family with e-commerce marketplaces, drawn to the very frequent offer of a…

Retail in Singapore has left the impact of the pandemic behind following the easing of restrictions, and has continued with resilient, albeit slower, growth in 2023. The full-scale resumption of social activities and the reopening of international…

Retail in 2023 presented a mixed landscape in Taiwan, marked by economic challenges as the country grappled with a recession in the first quarter. This downturn was primarily attributed to a decline in exports and subdued global demand for…

Thailand’s retail industry in 2023 continued to evolve and improve, responding to growing demand from consumers with convenience as a key driver. The wholesale and retail sectors, along with the vehicle maintenance and household goods sectors, have…

Retail in Vietnam struggled in 2023, facing pressures from inflation and a weakening export market, among other things. Local consumers cut back on spending which negatively impacted several retail categories, including appliances and electronics…

“Mama shops”, which are small local grocers in Singapore typically located within older and mature residential estates, used to be the cornerstone of grocery retailers in the local market. Such a traditional retail format used to thrive on the…

Small local grocers in Taiwan recorded solid growth in value sales in 2023. The country boasts over 300 night markets, housing about 20,000 vendors and merchants, with a majority situated in towns and rural areas. These vibrant hubs represent the…

Current value sales for traditional small grocers in Thailand continued to rise in 2023, though at a significantly slower rate than in 2022, as the trend towards shopping in small stores close to homes continued. Small local grocers also benefit from…

Small local grocers have been finding it increasingly difficult to compete with other retail channels. In 2023 the rapid growth of convenience stores and the persistent rise in e-commerce purchases continued to take their toll on traditional grocery…

Despite a marginal value sales decline in 2023, supermarkets in Singapore remained the most popular format of grocery retailers in the local market, with value sales still remaining higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the number of outlets…

Supermarkets in Taiwan recorded steady value sales growth in 2023, a year marked by digitalisation efforts as well as an expansion in home delivery services. Uni-President officially acquired Carrefour's business in Taiwan on Nov 14, 2022. This…

Current value sales continued to rise for supermarkets in Thailand in 2023, at a rate that was significantly faster than that posted in 2022. Supermarket operators in the country tend to target middle- to upper-income consumers, who are somewhat less…

Supermarkets in Vietnam saw significant growth in 2023, with notable increases in terms of both current value sales and the number of outlets, driven by the aggressive expansion strategies of key players. Local consumers in suburban and rural areas…

2023 witnessed the full effect of the removal of pandemic-related restrictions concerning social activity and international travel, with vending in Singapore continuing to record strong growth due to greater mobility. The vending format thrives on…

In Taiwan, traditional vending machines are giving way to smart vending solutions, leveraging advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data. These smart machines offer more than just snacks and…

Vending saw current value sales rise in Thailand in 2023. The country has been home to vending machines for over 20 years, but vending has recently gained ground with new brands entering the market and brining in new technology and payment systems.…