Retailing

Global consumers are struggling with the cost of living crisis, as inflation remains high while household income growth lags. Consumers are adopting recessionary habits, such as trading down and being more selective in their spending. Rather than…

As the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic, online marketplaces are well-placed to continue their run of success in the dynamic e-commerce channel. This briefing analyses two major trends (Logistics and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)) that are…

Direct selling exceeded pre-pandemic sales in 2022 as the channel sought to recover from the severe impact of restrictions on selling door-to-door. However, much of the current value growth in 2022 was driven by higher retail prices as inflation took…

In 2022, though there was healthy growth in current value sales, constant value sales remained unchanged. The war in Ukraine had a negative impact, with the resultant energy crisis leading to soaring inflation and dampening sales somewhat. That being…

In light of inflationary pressures, consumers have become increasingly discerning and cost-conscious in 2022. Grocery retailers have navigated this more complex climate by implementing various measures to address changing preferences, such as…

In 2022, though there was healthy growth in current value sales, constant value sales fell. The war in Ukraine had a negative impact, with the resultant energy crisis leading to soaring inflation and dampening volume sales. In addition, there was…

Croatia has largely recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, with the boost in summer tourism supporting sales growth in non-grocery retailing. Tourism is an important part of the local economy, but the pandemic restrictions had stifled visitor numbers…

In 2022, though there was healthy growth in current value sales, constant value sales fell. The war in Ukraine had a negative impact, with the resultant energy crisis leading to soaring inflation and dampening volume sales. With such economic…

E-commerce continued to gain significant value share in 2022 as part of the ongoing development of this category. Many consumers sought out cheaper prices online as the cost of living crisis hit many Croatian households. On balance, Croatia is seeing…

E-commerce registered double-digit current value growth in 2022, as well as healthy constant value growth, in spite of high inflation. The high inflation was due to the war in Ukraine, which led to soaring energy prices, which in turn led to higher…

Croatians were impacted by rising inflation in 2022 and faced a cost of living crisis similar to many shoppers across Europe. As the economy started to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and rising costs of energy and raw materials…

The war in Ukraine had a negative impact, with the resultant energy crisis leading to high inflation and dampening volume sales somewhat. As a result, while overall retail registered a healthy increase in current value sales in 2022, constant value…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is moderating, although volatility in the energy markets and faster consumption growth in China are among the key risks that could increase inflation.…

As e-commerce growth rates slow from historic highs, the online channel is no longer a rising tide for all categories and brands. While potential exists with e-commerce accounting for 50% of retail’s expected growth in the next five years, retailers…

Cities are hubs for spending, with 80% of expenditure expected to be generated by urban areas in 2023. Spending growth in 2023 will, however, be sluggish, as cost of living challenges force consumers to be more conservative in their expenditure. Over…

Fashion sales in Latin America have surpassed pre-pandemic levels by 2022, driven mainly by price increases due to high inflation. E-commerce grew strongly to become the second largest channel, but consumers in the region are still more inclined to…

While e-commerce growth rates are normalising, the online channel remains a key one for brands, as retail becomes omnichannel. Riding this wave entails more than distribution. Brands must have a comprehensive digital shelf strategy, encompassing…

As the world moves beyond COVID-19, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) brands must navigate a reality in which e-commerce growth has slowed dramatically from the lofty heights of the pandemic. Using insights obtained from Euromonitor International’s…

The long-standing movement towards marketing and formulating around “wellness” continues to deepen, as companies across consumer goods experiment with using this concept to attract consumers. This briefing identifies the factors behind the blurred…

Consumers are facing increased pressure from rising prices as global inflation reaches 7% in 2023. The impact of higher costs of living is felt from top earners in developed markets to struggling households in emerging and developing countries.…

Affordable sustainability is now paramount, given the cost of living crisis. Consumers want low prices but this does not necessarily mean giving up sustainable choices. Making sustainability affordable is a global need, where companies can play a key…

Online sales, though slowing, remain the leading source of future growth for groceries in the US. Persuading consumers to spend extra money in order to save time is a hard sell in a time of high inflation but the convenience of online ordering…

Seven & I Holdings Ltd is a leading global retail company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Its diverse retail portfolio spans convenience retail, supermarkets, department stores and retail e-commerce. Its flagship brand, 7-Eleven, is the world’s…

With a presence spanning continents, Ikea distinguishes itself as the sole player in the homewares and home furnishings stores channel with a truly global reach. Ikea is now embracing compact store formats and the conversion of existing outlets into…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence among the key economies increases. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of agricultural commodities…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with income inequality, mass migration and rising uncertainty about another crisis being among the major ones. Nevertheless, within this lie untapped opportunities. This…

Consumer Types can be a powerful tool to help companies better understand and appeal to their target markets. Consumers are grouped based on shared traits and preferences, companies can better develop products and marketing campaigns that resonate…

This report urges businesses to embrace affordable and accessible sustainability. It presents a comprehensive set of effective actions that can be implemented seamlessly to unlock the untapped potential of democratising sustainability during times of…

Private label – retailers’ alternatives to brands – tend to benefit from inflation. However, despite record inflation in France, Germany and the UK, the market share of private label in the three countries remained broadly stable across FMCGs in…

As the pandemic-driven surge in grocery sales subsides, grocery retailers must contend with an increasingly complex macroeconomic environment and heightened consumer expectations. This report delves into the evolution of the global grocery retail…

Businesses globally face challenges in consumer markets in the short to medium term, owing to the rising cost of living and increasingly financially cautious consumers. Amidst uncertainty arise opportunities. Income and expenditure insights are…

This report summarises findings from the Voice of the Industry: Retail survey conducted in July 2023. It offers insights from global retail professionals on their short- and long-term investment priorities, the trends shaping the industry and how…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with rising income inequality being among the key ones. Nevertheless, addressing the income inequality through catering to the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Middle Class…

Rising costs of living pose challenges globally, but companies can find opportunities in several categories, essential and discretionary, especially in underpenetrated fast-growing markets. By considering category adjacencies and focusing on value,…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

This briefing explores the forces driving apparel demand and supply in Sub-Saharan Africa, which has historically been a protected market, with tariffs, quotas and bans. It discusses how market routes, supply chains and competition have evolved. A…

Amid rising inflation, consumers are favoring affordable, sustainable solutions and adopting greener lifestyles. For businesses, it's crucial to segment consumers based on their eco-friendly traits and preferences. This report provides insights into…

Following a decade of low borrowing costs, businesses and consumers now face increasing financial pressure due to a surge in interest rates in 2023. High interest rates have far-reaching consequences on economies, businesses and households, impacting…

In a time of uncertainty, brands must ensure that the value proposition provided by their loyalty schemes is firmly aligned with customer needs, priorities and expectations, continuously refined and adapted to withstand disruption and changing market…

The sustainability agenda has become a priority for many retailers globally, driven by consumer expectations and governmental legislation. Retailers recognise the imperative for change and are taking actions, particularly in the areas of…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the potential market strategies for companies in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst the current cost of living crisis. It details how companies can leverage affordability, technology, and values to cater to the…

The leading player in apparel and footwear specialists, Fast Retailing, has been focusing on experiences in its stores. Having both an offline and online presence, the retailer aims to differentiate its physical stores by providing customers with…

Yodobashi partnered with Fortress Investment Group in the acquisition of the department store brands Seibu and Sogo from Seven & i Holdings Co Ltd, and is hoping to establish a new store in Ikebukuro. Ikebukuro is one of the largest towns in Japan,…

On 8 May 2023, the Japanese government announced that it would reclassify COVID-19 as a class 5 infectious disease, which is the same classification as seasonal flu. This shift pushed consumers in Japan to go back to their pre-COVID-19 behaviours,…

Direct selling continues to face headwinds due to the ageing of the customer base, and the loss of recruitment opportunities due to changes in social behaviour since the pandemic. On the other hand, some players saw rising sales in 2023, as society…

In 2023, department stores benefited from a rebound in the number of tourists visiting Japan and the depreciation of the yen. Although it lagged somewhat behind other countries, Japan finally lifted COVID-19 regulations in 2023. As for the recovery…

On 8 May 2023, the Japanese government announced that it would reclassify COVID-19 as a class 5 infectious disease, which is the same classification as seasonal flu. As a result, decisions regarding infection control are now left to individuals and…

Home products specialists saw growth in current value terms in 2023. Increases were seen across all channels, but as in the previous year, growth was driven mainly by homewares and home furnishing stores. The leading player in this channel, Nitori,…

Hypermarkets usually sell a wider range of products compared with other types of grocery retailers, such as supermarkets and convenience stores, but may not be as centrally positioned or as favoured for regular visits. Nevertheless, hypermarkets…