South Africa

Tourism levels in South Africa showed signs of recovery in 2023, despite the macroeconomic backdrop of high inflation and rising food and fuel costs triggered by Russia’s war in Ukraine. This represents an improvement on 2021 and 2022, when…

Switch Energy has introduced three new flavours to its range as limited editions. In 2023, the brand offered 37 different flavours compared to Monster Energy’s 18 flavours, and Dragon’s 17 flavours. Interest in Switch Energy peaked when it introduced…

Rising input costs such as the cost of animal feed and installing a more stable electricity supply has resulted in price hikes for eggs. The cost of feed, fuel and electricity usually accounts for 75% of input costs for producers. Grain shortages due…

Both retail volume and current value sales of edible oils are set to see strong declines in 2023. After two years of exceptionally strong growth, the average unit prices of vegetable and seed oils have started to normalise over 2023, with prices…

As the prices of food have been soaring, retailers are focused on bringing consumers the lowest prices possible for essential products such as drinking milk products. This means that farmers and producers do not really have much room to increase…

The recent economic climate in South Africa has been characterised by significant challenges, with rising unemployment, inflation, steep hikes in interest rates, and economic pressure on the average consumer. These challenges are putting immense…

Overall demand for dishwashing in South Africa continued to rise in 2023, supported by both automatic dishwashing and the dominant hand washing format. The number of dishwashers owned pre-pandemic when compared to after the lockdowns in South Africa…

The waning impact of the pandemic in South Africa has changed how many households operate in terms of busier lifestyles. The main change is that many employees continue to observe remote/hybrid working measures, and thus are spending greater time at…

In 2023, discounters in South Africa continued to record dynamic growth across all indicators. Despite decelerated food inflation, estimated at an average of 8.5% over 2023 as a whole compared to a 14-year high of 14.4% in March, South African…

In 2023, direct selling in South Africa remained subject to challenging operating environments. Despite some stabilising of value sales following three consecutive years of decline as a result of the pandemic, there was still lower demand for certain…

Since 2022, South Africa has been suffering from rolling electricity blackouts. The scheduled blackouts can often occur in some areas around two to three times a day. Moreover, these blackouts often occur during mealtimes. This has created a strong…

During the review period, South Africa experienced high levels of inflation that impacted essential categories such as food, fuel and even mortgage payments. Consumers were cutting down on discretionary spending as they had less disposable income.…

Many consumers in South Africa rely on pharmacist recommendations when it comes to dermatological products. Most consumers within South Africa are highly unlikely to visit a doctor or even a dermatologist to treat some dermatological issues. As a…

With South African consumers experiencing financial pressures in 2023 as the cost of living in the country increased, they searched for ways to reduce outgoings, including on depilatories. For many consumers, depilatories are essential, as shaving is…

Despite remaining under financial pressure in 2023, demand for deodorants in South Africa continued to grow. However, many consumers reviewed their budgets and only prioritised certain products, while also becoming extremely strategic in terms of…

The prices of essential goods and services such as food and electricity have continued to rise in 2023, despite the relatively lower level of inflation, which moved from 7.0% in 2022 to 5.7% in 2023. Debit card value transactions benefited from this…

2023 has been a tough financial year for consumers, with double-digit food inflation, rising interest rates, and rolling blackouts. Several categories within dairy products and alternatives are set to record double-digit retail current value growth…

Thin wall plastic containers are widely favoured for packaging various dairy products, including butter and spreads and yoghurt in South Africa, due to their lightweight and durable nature. These containers offer a convenient solution for both…

As more middle-income households are struggling to reach month-end, due to the combined effects of rising interest rates, which have put pressure on existing vehicle and mortgage loans, as well as inflationary pressures, which have affected…

During the review period, the flu and allergy season in South Africa was rife specifically during the winter periods. Given the presence of several flu strains and allergies, consumers reached out to cough, cold and allergy (hay fever) products to…

2023 has been a tough financial year for consumers, with double-digit food inflation, rising interest rates, and rolling blackouts. Loadshedding significantly affects the entire supply chain, as well as consumers, as it has been implemented almost…

In 2023, convenience stores in South Africa continued to benefit from proximity to local households, with this format often used for daily or weekly top-ups. However, in suburban areas, the channel is increasingly being threatened by the emergence of…

Demand for contact lenses and solutions in South Africa continues to rise, although in value terms, the category is considerably smaller compared to spectacles. Demand in the country is mainly driven by younger consumers. In South Africa, the wearing…

The South African economy has continued to struggle in 2023, as reflected by 0.4% real GDP growth, the unemployment rate stagnating beyond 32%, and the South African rand depreciating further against major currencies. Economic growth has also been…

During the review period, many consumers have been facing financial difficulties as the cost of living in South Africa has been increasing on a monthly basis. For many consumers, their health is an afterthought with most instead prioritising…

The trading environment in South Africa paints a bleak picture; post-pandemic recovery hindered by deteriorating local economic conditions, including erratic electricity supply, weak growth and high levels of inflation. South Africa’s food price…

The pandemic and its subsequent restrictions imposed on travel had a significant impact on the entire tourism industry, including consumer foodservice through travel. This location recorded the most severe declines in 2020, as, whilst all locations…

The consumer electronics market in South Africa is becoming increasingly characterised by high levels of innovation by the leading players. With tough economic conditions placing pressure on consumers’ disposable incomes, brand owners sought to…

Demand for consumer credit gross lending is set to continue to increase in 2023, despite the South African Reserve Bank’s consecutive rises in interest rates to stabilise inflationary pressures. This trend has been driven mainly by declining…

The pandemic has dramatically changed South Africans’ lifestyles in many ways, a trend that is greatly benefiting demand for consumer appliances. For instance, many businesses have now adopted remote/hybrid working models, meaning that employees…

Moisture and air exposure can lead to undesirable changes in the texture and taste of confectionery such as sugar confectionery, including gummies and chews, and chocolate confectionery, such as boxed assortments. As a result, flexible plastic…

In 2023, the average unit price of concentrates witnessed considerably faster growth compared to overall soft drinks in South Africa, although it remains considerably lower per litre (RTD) than the latter. The impact of the sugar tax (the Health…

South Africa remained subject to widespread electricity blackouts (load-shedding) in 2023, which meant that were was no power supply during certain times of the day. This had a negative impact on the operating capability of many organisations across…

Demand for colour cosmetics in South Africa remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2023, as many local consumers continued to struggle financially and reduced their purchases of perceived non-essential products. However, sales promotions on colour…

Instant coffee retains its dominance of coffee in retail volume terms in South Africa, with sales continuing to rise in 2023 as many local consumers prioritise their disposable incomes by regularly making coffee at home. They are turning to channels…

Traditionally, shisha that incorporates the use of pipe tobacco in South Africa was marketed as safe, and made popular during social events due to a positive perception. It is a product that is fairly popular among the younger demographic. However,…

Despite the growing demand for e-vapour products, and the declining revenue and volumes of cigarettes in South Africa, the latter category continued to represent the largest value share within tobacco in 2023. In understanding this demographic, males…

Cider/perry in South Africa witnessed intensified competition in 2023 from other categories, driven by solid growth, marketing and the development by leading players and newer entrants. For example, Brutal Fruit, known for its RTD offer, has been…

Chocolate confectionery is set to record solid retail current value growth in 2023, driven by unit price increases of around 10% in most categories. Meanwhile, without innovation in terms of flavours, and digital campaigns, stronger volume declines…

Many local consumers remain extremely price sensitive in 2023 due to high levels of inflation impacting the prices of food, fuel, mortgage and even rent in South Africa. Hence, they are looking for value for money when they purchase childrenswear.…

The cheese category is set to experience muted retail volume growth in 2023, due to a double-digit increase in the average unit price. Significant rises in prices have been limiting consumer purchases, leading to only slow growth in cheese…

Following the significant decline in transaction value and volumes experienced in 2020 due to extended restrictions imposed in the South African travel and hospitality industries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the complete lifting of the state…

Cat food is expected to maintain current value growth in South Africa in 2024. The cat population has been rising faster than the dog population in in the country, with the rising popularity of cats leading to increased demand for cat food. While the…

Large category players are narrowing their offerings. As a result, Tab has been discontinued in South Africa. Leading player Coca-Cola seeks to strengthen its current brands and exclude low-performing ones. In its place, it has introduced a…

The legal cannabis market in South Africa has continued to see strong growth on the back of the landmark judgement in 2018, which determined private use and consumption of cannabis as legal within private spaces. As an example, private spaces include…

With COVID-19 restrictions on foodservice outlet trading hours being enforced for a number of years in South Africa, the after effects are still being felt and there is a continued shift from evening to daytime dining. This trend is further…

In 2023, double-digit food inflation has seen consumers reduce their overall consumption across categories, with butter, cooking fats, and margarine and spreads all set to see retail volume declines. This is the second year that the prices of…

Many consumers in South Africa are price sensitive, but within the context of the review period, they are more cash-strapped than ever before. There are numerous compounding factors reducing the spending power of local consumers, including elevated…

South Africa has been facing drinking water supply issues, supporting elevated demand for bottled water compared to pre-pandemic levels, including for still bottled water, despite declining off-trade volume sales as a result of a greater return to…

There continues to be a noticeable preference for shorter lead-time bookings, particularly when it comes to holiday destinations that are closer to the customer’s home and offer lower travel costs. These include journeys that can be easily undertaken…