Taiwan

While retail volume growth was positive in 2023, sales were hampered by a shift from spending on goods to services and experiences. As Taiwan ended COVID-19 restrictions at the end of 2022, many consumers were eager to travel abroad. This revenge…

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, consumers gradually returned to eating out and using food delivery services more frequently. Less time was spent cooking at home, leading to lower expenditure on food preparation in 2023.

In 2023, the sales volume of edible oils experienced a decline, partially offset by the return to normal routines and a growing demand in the foodservice channel. The normalisation of dining in and travel activities during 2023 boosted demand from…

Since Taiwan re-opened its national border at the end of 2022, many consumers travelled abroad, shifting spending from goods to experiences. This has led to reduced capital spent on dishwashers, in addition to other major appliances. However,…

The post-pandemic era in 2023 has ushered in changes in consumption and dining habits, marked by a greater emphasis on the quality and unique presentation of dishes when dining out. The trend of ordering delivery has continued to gain traction.…

In 2023, consumer appliances in Taiwan posted slower retail volume and value growth compared to the previous year, with sales negatively impacted by inflationary pressure, the slowdown in the local real estate market, and a spending shift from goods…

Following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022, consumers spent more money on travel and experiences, shifting budgets away from consumer appliances. In addition, the weaker performance of the local real estate market saw air treatment…

A movement towards fountain pens was noted in 2023, driven by the trends of nostalgia and elegance. Enthusiasts and collectors both appreciated the smooth writing experience, the aesthetic appeal, and the personal touch that fountain pens bring to…

There has been a noted revival of classic watches in Taiwan, with a renewed appreciation for traditional, mechanical watches. This is aiding sales of quartz analogue devices, with mid and high quartz analogue watches recording positive retail volume…

In 2023, Taiwan's personal accessories industry experienced strong current retail value growth, driven by notable trends. The demand for bags and luggage rose, with consumers seeking high-quality, fashionable options, with many showing a preference…

In 2023, minimalist jewellery designs were highly sought after in Taiwan. Delicate and understated pieces featuring clean lines, geometric shapes, and subtle adornments became a staple in the fashion scene. This trend reflects a shift towards…

Bags and luggage with versatile designs and enhanced functionality were in demand. Consumers sought products that could adapt to various situations, such as convertible backpacks, expandable suitcases, or bags with multiple compartments and…

As with coffee, cold brew tea continued to gain popularity in Taiwan in 2023. Together with the fact that the country’s humid climate makes many people more inclined to favour cold and refreshing beverages, particularly during the summer months, this…

While chocolate-based flavoured powder drinks showed an improved performance in off-trade volume terms in 2023, growth was considerably slower than at the on-trade level. This was partly due to maturity, though retail demand was also constrained as…

Hot drinks in Taiwan performed positively in 2023, with growth in total volume sales slightly surpassing that recorded in 2022. This improvement was mainly due to an uptick in on-trade consumption as diminishing public fear of COVID-19 and the ending…

As reduced public concern about COVID-19 and the ending of associated restrictions saw most people in Taiwan go back to the office and begin spending more of their leisure time outside the home, coffee showed an improved performance in on-trade…

Off-trade volume growth for sports drinks in 2023 was up markedly on that recorded in 2022. This improvement was partly explained by the success of reduced sugar and sugar-free options introduced towards the end of the review period, which have…

Soft drinks in Taiwan showed a solid performance in 2023, with growth in total volume sales equalling that recorded in 2022. Overall demand remained buoyant as diminishing fear of COVID-19 and the ending of associated restrictions saw more people to…

Growth in off-trade volume sales of RTD tea in 2023 was up slightly on 2022. This was largely due to the easing of the pandemic and the ending of related restrictions in Taiwan, with impulse purchases and on-the-go consumption increasing as more…

Following consistent declines earlier in the review period, RTD coffee recorded modest growth in off-trade volume sales in 2023. This turnaround was partly explained by the increased incidence of impulse purchases and on-the-go consumption occasions…

100% juice was the most dynamic of the main juice categories in Taiwan in off-trade volume growth terms in 2023. This was primarily due to the increasing preference for healthier soft drinks among consumers, as such products are perceived to be…

Energy drinks showed another positive performance in 2023, with growth in off- and on-trade volume sales remaining robust. As the pace of life in Taiwan accelerated in line with the return to pre-pandemic routines, overall demand was buoyed by…

While liquid concentrates posted marginal growth in off-trade volume sales in 2023, this was an improvement on the decline recorded in 2022. This was partly explained by the normalisation of consumption patterns, in that the contraction the previous…

Carbonates in smaller pack sizes of 200-350ml gained ground in off- and on-trade channels in Taiwan in 2023. This was partly due to rising health-consciousness among the population, in that concerns about the sugar content of these soft drinks led…

The increasing tendency of Taiwanese consumers to favour healthier soft drinks ensured bottled water recorded another solid performance in off-trade volume growth terms in 2023. Carbonated bottled water was the most dynamic of the main categories in…

Asian speciality drinks showed improved results in off- and on-trade volume sales terms in 2023, largely thanks to the easing of the pandemic and the ending of associated restrictions. With concerns surrounding COVID-19 having reinforced the…

Total volume sales growth for womenswear in Taiwan in 2023 is expected to be down slightly on the previous year. This is partly explained by the normalisation of consumption patterns following the impressive rebound that accompanied the easing of the…

Despite substantial price hikes amidst rising inflation in Taiwan, growth in sportswear current value sales in 2023 is set to be slower than in 2022. This is mainly because falling purchasing power and heightened economic uncertainty have led most…

While menswear in Taiwan is poised to record an improved performance in total volume sales terms in 2023, growth has been tempered by changes in consumer behaviour. Demand is now stabilising in the wake of the rapid rebound facilitated by the lifting…

Jeans has shown another healthy performance in volume terms in 2023, with overall growth set to equal that recorded in 2022. Solid demand is partly explained by the fact that these garments are perennially in fashion and have a broad appeal among…

In keeping with the pattern witnessed over the latter part of the review period, sheer hosiery in Taiwan is set to contract in volume terms in 2023. Falling demand is partly explained by changing fashion preferences, with many younger women inclined…

Comfort has continued to gain importance as a factor in footwear purchasing decisions in Taiwan in 2023. This is partly explained by rising health-consciousness, a well-established trend that has been strengthened by the pandemic. Similarly, having…

Overall volume and current value growth rates for childrenswear in 2023 are set to be more modest than those recorded by womenswear and menswear, primarily because birth rates in Taiwan are in long-term decline. This demographic trend has resulted in…

Apparel and footwear in Taiwan is poised to register a negative result in volume terms for a second consecutive year in 2023, while current value growth looks set to be down slightly on 2022. This is mainly due to increased caution around…

Apparel accessories in Taiwan is set to record a high double-digit decline in total volume sales for a second consecutive year in 2023. This is entirely due to the dramatic contraction of the other apparel accessories category, where demand for cloth…

Despite the rise of digital wallets, physical credit cards and pre-paid cards still play a significant role in payments. Notably, digital wallets often cannot link to popular pre-paid cards like EasyCard, the largest transportation card in Taiwan,…

In 2023, electronic and mobile payments have taken centre stage, greatly reducing reliance on cash transactions in Taiwan. Local residents have enthusiastically adopted various digital payment options, particularly digital wallets, which have emerged…

Debit card transactions experienced a noticeable decline in transaction value in 2022, a trend that commenced during the pandemic in 2021. This decline was primarily attributed to the increased prevalence of digital wallet transactions and the…

At the close of 2022, Taiwan witnessed a significant reshuffle in its credit card issuance landscape. The top five credit card issuers, ranked by the number of active cards, were Cathay United Bank with 5.77 million, CITIC Bank with 5.34 million, E…

In 2023, the total credit amount in Taiwan surged over the previous year. This figure has doubled since pre-pandemic levels at the end of 2019. Taiwan's financial landscape boasts a multitude of institutions holding significant liquid funds.…

The government's relaxation of control measures on digital banks has paved the way for a broadened range of financial services offered by pure digital banks. Although the impact on traditional banks and digital wallet operators remains relatively…

Despite being historically less popular in Taiwan due to limited merchant acceptance compared to VISA, MasterCard, and JCB, American Express (AMEX) is making significant strides in the market. The key to its success lies in the exclusive benefits and…

Insights and data on the traditional automotive sector and the mobility industry can help businesses examine how changing travel patterns will impact future consumer behaviour. Growing climate pressures and rising urbanisation rates are pushing…

In 2022, more consumers, particularly those of the younger generation, started looking for high protein staple foods as a result of the fitness craze. An increasing number of people began to visit gyms and exercise regularly in the review period.…

There has been a general increase in awareness of health and wellness amongst Taiwanese consumers since the COVID-19 crisis, which is having a direct impact on consumers’ decision-making when they are purchasing soft drinks. Local consumer demand for…

The already prominent health and wellness trend received a significant boost from the experiences of the COVID-19 crisis, as consumers faced the fear of contracting the disease and the challenges posed by the sedentary lifestyles and overconsumption…

Demand for instant tea is being dampened as Taiwanese consumers shift towards a healthier mindset in light of the COVID-19 crisis. It is a trend for consumers to have their drinks without sugar in order to stay healthy. Indeed, sugar has become a…

The increasingly sophisticated character of consumer demand for dairy products continued to be driven by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout 2022, despite the fact that related restrictions were lifted in October of that year. Before…

Despite Taiwan aiming to live with COVID-19 and return to normal lifestyles, confirmed COVID-19 case numbers spiked in 2022 with more than 10,000 cases per day. In line with heightened health consciousness, which has been bolstered by the experiences…

The health and wellness industry continues to grow in importance post-pandemic as consumers become more aware of the negative health impact of processed foods, seeking healthier foods and beverages from a range of claims such as natural, organic,…