Retailing

In 2023, vending in South Africa continued to recover from the negative impact of lockdown restrictions, which mainly affected machines located in semi-captive environments, leading to the bankruptcy of many small businesses operating within the…

Despite signs of economic recovery, vending in Morocco continues to grapple with the lingering effects of the pandemic. As a relatively marginal channel with low retail current value sales, vending faces inherent challenges exacerbated by shifting…

After a relatively strong performance during the pandemic, due to lockdown restrictions, supermarkets in South Africa once again benefited in 2023 from consumers’ renewed focus on essential products due to economic pressures. The channel’s…

In 2023, supermarkets in Nigeria navigated a dynamic retail landscape characterised by inflation-driven shifts in consumer behaviour, intensified competition, and adaptations to economic challenges. The high inflation rate in Nigeria significantly…

Moroccan consumers exhibit a pronounced sensitivity to prices and often rely on traditional supply methods, prioritising trust and availability when selecting vendors. A positive store image is thus crucial in their purchasing decisions. While rural…

The performance of supermarkets in Egypt is positively impacted by the government’s “We Are All One” initiative. Introduced and monitored through the Egyptian government, the initiative aims to push retailers and suppliers to offer consumers extra…

With relatively low bargaining power, small local grocers in South Africa have become more exposed to the persisting inflationary pressure since they often source their products from wholesalers. The latter tend to have higher markups in comparison…

Small local grocers in Nigeria experienced rapid growth in 2023 due to their strategic advantages over larger retailers. Their proximity to consumers allowed for convenient access to essential goods, particularly for those living in densely populated…

In 2023, government intervention played a pivotal role in bolstering the resilience of small local grocers against mounting competition from modern retail formats. Recognising the economic importance of these traditional outlets, the government…

Small local grocers in Egypt continued to dominate grocery retailers in outlet and value sales terms in 2023. The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has confirmed the dominance of traditional grocery retailers in Egypt towards the end of the…

The lifting of COVID-19 restrictions boosted the economy and helped resolve some supply chain issues. However, high inflation put pressure on incomes thus limiting stronger growth in some retail channels, with consumers focusing on their primary…

The persistent challenge of inflationary pressure continued to hinder growth in retail in Tunisia in 2022, despite concerted government efforts to alleviate the issue. This economic strain remains and is especially pronounced in discretionary goods,…

Rising incomes and urbanisation are broadening the appeal of modern retailing, with more consumers able to access these channels. However, informal retail remains strong, while poor infrastructure is hindering retail development. Younger consumers…

In 2023, the retail landscape in South Africa remained challenged by the operating environment, translating into slow economic growth, which left unemployment at a relatively high level. As inflation remained above the South African Reserve Bank…

2023 commenced with significant challenges for retail in Nigeria, including a cash crunch in the first quarter triggered by the central bank's redesign of the local currency. This adjustment impacted many consumers in Nigeria's cash-based economy.…

The Moroccan retail landscape is gradually modernising across all channels. Traditionally dominated by conventional channels, there has been a timid entry into digital sales. However, with increasing competition and the impact of the COVID-19…

Retail in Kenya continued to expand in 2022, with new stores opening while there was increased footfall at brick and mortar stores. However, not all modern retailers are finding success in Kenya, with some players being forced to exit the market.…

Retailing saw a surge in current value sales as inflation rates soared in 2022. With retailers still struggling to recover post-pandemic, consumer purchasing power was hit by rising retail prices. Consumers made cutbacks and focused on essential…

Soaring inflation, due to the continuing civil war, as well as price pressures arising from the war in Ukraine, led to consumers cutting down on discretionary spending. On top of inflation, drought further aggravated supply chain disruptions. Within…

Retail in Egypt witnessed numerous challenges throughout 2023 amid a tough economic situation. The ongoing devaluation of the local currency, the rate of inflation reaching new highs, the effects of the ongoing war in Ukraine, joined by the security…

Retailing value sales continued to expand in Côte d’Ivoire during 2022 growing at a higher rate than they did in both 2020 and 2021 but at a slower rate than in the earlier part of the review period. The market continued to recover from disruption…

While positive growth was recorded in retailing in Cameroon during 2022, demand was under pressure due to the impact of the high inflation that was in effect throughout the year. In particular, many lower-income households struggled to make ends meet…

Consumer shopping habits still favour traditional and informal retail in Angola. Retail was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the economy suffering. However, with a recovering economy expected in the forecast period and the government focus on…

All categories in retail in Algeria are seeing positive value growth, with retail e-commerce as the big winner. Inflationary pressures are contributing to this value growth, although as prices rise, consumers also become more cautious in their…

Retail e-commerce in Tunisia underwent significant expansion in 2022, fuelled by enhanced internet penetration and evolving consumer lifestyles. According to the Department of Commerce, as of September 2022, Tunisia was home to approximately 1,680…

In 2023, sales via e-commerce in South Africa continued to benefit from a steady decline in the price of connectivity, which allowed a higher number of consumers to access the service at affordable prices. For instance, the price of 1G broadband has…

In 2023, retail e-commerce in Nigeria experienced significant growth and transformation, driven by various developments and trends that shaped the landscape of online shopping in the country. Online shopping witnessed a surge in popularity among…

Retail e-commerce in Morocco witnessed an accelerated expansion throughout the review period and in 2023, propelled by several factors contributing to its robust growth trajectory. The channel experienced a notable surge in online transactions,…

Sendy launched a payment on delivery product for e-commerce and social commerce vendors in Africa, with this including Kenya. This is seen as a significant new product as it overcomes security concerns some consumers still have about shopping online,…

Retail e-commerce in Egypt continued to develop fast at the end of the review period. As a result, it was set to improve its ranking among the largest markets in the channel, moving ahead of South Africa, by the end of the review period. All…

While positive growth was recorded in retailing in Cameroon during 2022, demand was under pressure due to the impact of the high inflation that was in effect throughout the year. In particular, many lower-income households struggled to make ends meet…

Retail e-commerce is the big winner in Algeria in 2022, boosted by the era of the pandemic forcing consumers and players to embrace online platforms, and further supported by the ongoing developments in telecommunications infrastructure in the…

Home products specialists felt significant impact from the escalating cost of raw materials in 2022. The surge in raw material prices had a cascading effect on consumer demand for home products, as retailers were compelled to transfer the additional…

Faced with rising costs, some major non-grocery retailers were forced to close their doors towards the end of the review period. Following a general pattern of South African retailers exiting Kenya, Massmart Holdings Ltd announced in early 2023 its…

The July 2022 opening of the PlaYce shopping centre in Yaoundé represented a watershed moment in the development of non-grocery retailers in Cameroon. In addition to playing host to a large hypermarket under the Carrefour brand, this very modern new…

In non-grocery retail, imports from Spain have been negatively affected by the temporary trade ban. On 8 June 2022, the Algerian authorities suspended the friendship treaty of all commercial operations between the two countries – apart from gas…

The number of hypermarkets operating in South Africa continued to decline in 2023. The trend emerged just prior to the pandemic due to cautious investments in the wake of economic uncertainty in the country. This scenario was exacerbated by lockdown…

Following the takeover by Retail Supermarkets Nigeria in 2021, Shoprite embarked on a significant expansion drive, signalling robust growth for hypermarkets in Nigeria in 2023. The opening of new outlets, such as the flagship store in Port-Harcourt,…

Hypermarkets in Morocco have continued their evolution into comprehensive one-stop shopping destinations, building on the momentum from the previous year's developments and leveraging innovative strategies to cater to evolving consumer needs.

Hypermarkets in Egypt witnessed dynamic retail value (constant 2023 prices) growth in 2023, as this format benefited from rising consumer price-sensitivity. Hypermarkets’ success in the face of adverse macroeconomic conditions in the country affected…

Home products specialists in South Africa continued to record a fairly weak performance in 2023. From one of the lowest interest rates imposed by the South African Reserve Bank during the pandemic, mortgage rates continued to skyrocket in 2023 as the…

The high inflation rate in 2023 significantly contributed to the growth of home products specialists in Nigeria. The Federal Government's support for mortgage loans, particularly the increase in loan limits from fifteen million to fifty million…

Modernisation and accessibility define the evolving landscape of Morocco's home products specialists channel. Sketch Furniture exemplifies this trend, blending Moroccan elegance with Western style to offer accessible luxury in modern design.…

The entry of a new player has added dynamism to home products specialists in Egypt. The home-grown brand Nordica aims to deliver a unique identity in the market by bringing Scandinavian comfort to the Egyptian furniture scene. The mission is to…

After being affected by restrictive lockdown restrictions, which resulted in the imposition of face masks and limited social gatherings, beauty specialists in South Africa are now benefiting from consumers’ revived routines, including returning to…

In 2023, health and beauty specialists in Nigeria experienced robust growth, buoyed by high inflation that supported sales of essential items. Consumers prioritising their well-being contributed to the positive growth of this channel. Pharmacies…

Moroccan consumers continue to demonstrate traditional purchasing habits in the health and beauty specialists channel, with wholesalers playing a crucial role in supplying perfumeries. This distribution model offers cost-effective options for…

The major focus in health and beauty specialists in Egypt has shifted from premium brands to ones using all natural ingredients, vegan products and reduced levels of chemicals in the production of products. In this vein, the offers of many brands,…

In 2022 grocery retailers in Tunisia faced a multitude of challenges, including supply shortages and fluctuating consumer demand. A significant contributing factor to these challenges was the rapid escalation of consumer prices, which surged to…

Brick and mortar grocery stores remain extremely popular in Kenya, despite ongoing strong growth in e-commerce. The number of grocery stores outlets continued to increase in Kenya in 2022 as operators looked to expand as the country continued its…