Taiwan

In the first half of 2022, due to the surge in confirmed cases and a high number of people under home quarantine, there was a significant increase in demand for large-sized soy milk products and plant-based milk products that can be stored at room…

Despite price rises in 2023, polishes continued to record a retail value decline, with retail volume sales falling in all areas. COVID-19 had no noticeable impact on the polishes landscape, with sales declining before the outbreak. The polishes…

Wireless speakers continued to drive growth in portable players in 2023, being the only product area to have recorded a positive increase in sales in retail volume terms. Compact, portable and affordable, as well as being compatible with “on-the-go”…

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,…

Value sales of premium and luxury cars went up by 8% to total TWD194.5 billion in 2023, due to increased demand from high-income consumers, who proved to be steadfast in their purchases despite macroeconomic headwinds. Demand for premium and luxury…

In 2023, Taiwan's premium beauty and personal care recorded positive retail growth, above mass market goods. Trends in premium sales were aligned to mass market trends, with growth strongest in premium colour cosmetics and fragrances. Much of this…

Processed fruit and vegetables in Taiwan was impacted by the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and the subsequent rebound in travel and eating out. This shifted the location of demand as consumers resumed out-of-home lifestyles. Consumers were eager…

In 2023, the overall retail demand for processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat dropped in Taiwan as consumers resumed pre-COVID-19 pandemic lifestyles. The category had seen a surge in demand in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, driven by…

With a turnover of USD365.8 billion in 2021, Asia Pacific was the world’s second largest region for recreation, entertainment and arts. Over the next decade, the region’s entertainment industry is poised to grow at the fastest rate, nearly closing…

Following the outbreak of COVID-19, Taiwan reopened the national border at the end of 2022, leading many consumers to travel abroad after having restrictions in place for over two years. In addition to a shift from spending on goods to experiences,…

Retail adult incontinence in Taiwan saw buoyant growth in current value terms in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. This was attributable to a rapidly increasing ageing population, increasing levels of mobility, including domestic and…

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…

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…

Retail tissue in Taiwan saw a vastly improved performance in and current value terms in 2023. This trend was due to some extent to rising raw material and supply chain costs, which led to price increases across their category. Retailers and…

Rice, pasta and noodles in Taiwan aligned with the trends influenced by the resumption of out-of-home lifestyles in 2023. As consumers returned to the office and travel and social norms they were more likely to dine out. As in other categories of…

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…

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…

Much like the previous year of the review period, RTDs saw modest off-trade and current value growth in 2023 but a decline in on-trade sales.

The 2023 trend of revenge travel and increased dining out after the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a decline in the demand for meals and soups in off-trade channels, as Taiwanese consumers prefer to spend more time travelling and dining out. With less…

Similar to other snack categories, the demand for savoury snacks, especially chips and puffed biscuits, continued to grow in 2022 due to home seclusion. As the country emerged from the pandemic, consumption shifted from larger or multi-pack options…

The Taiwanese are keen on eating all-you-can buffets, as the diverse range of options caters to a variety of personal choices, with this benefiting self-service cafeterias. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a strong desire for more social…

In 2023, skin care in Taiwan recorded positive retail value growth, with the majority of products recording positive volume sales. Dermocosmetics brands on the landscape have been actively educating consumers on specific ingredients, with brands…

While growth remains modest, sleep aids is set to record an improved result in volume sales terms in 2023. The easing of the pandemic has helped to lift demand, in that many people have started to experience insomnia and other types of sleep problems…

Sales slowed down in 2023, as many consumers spent more on eating out and travelling following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions in 2022. This saw consumers reducing budgets for goods, with greater expenditure on services and experiences. Due to…

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…

Retail volume sales of smokeless tobacco, e-vapour products and heated tobacco plummeted in 2023, following the total ban of e-vapour products in Taiwan. However, heated tobacco products made strong progress from a low base. E-vapour products had…

In 2023, consumer lifestyles began to return to normality after the COVID-19 pandemic, with the prevalence of home snacking consumption decreasing. Regular outings and social occasions led to a shift back to impulse snacking when on-the-go. This was…

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…

Spectacles in Taiwan continues to witness strong growth in retail volume and current value terms over 2024, primarily driven by the increasing prevalence of myopia among the population, which is increasing annually. Not only are myopia rates rising…

A decline in volume sales of spirits in Taiwan in 2023 reflected inflationary spikes, which led to increasing costs and workforce, shipping, logistics and inventory issues. The cost of spirits is relatively high compared with other alcoholic drinks…

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…

Sports nutrition has performed positively in 2023, with growth in total current value sales expected to be up slightly on 2022 and all categories set to show improved results in volume terms. Expansion continues to be underpinned by increasing…

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…

In 2023, staple foods in Taiwan was affected by the resumption of travel and eating out as key trends with the lifting of Coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions. Thus, demand shifted back from retail to foodservice as a result of less time spent at…

Store cards are not available in Taiwan. Hypermarket chain Carrefour was the last retailer to offer such cards and it ceased its operations in 2005. A trend towards alternative payment options such as digital wallets and the widespread popularity of…

There was a major shift in street-stalls/kiosks in Taiwan at the end of the review period. After a three-year pandemic, the re-opening of the Taiwanese border in October 2022 led to a surge in tourism, which resulted in crowding at tourist spots,…

In 2023, medicated confectionery and mints are seeing a further recovery in retail volume sales, with current value sales moving closer to pre-pandemic levels. As the mask mandate was lifted inside and outside, consumers are increasingly returning to…

In 2023, sun care in Taiwan recorded strong retail value growth and positive volume growth in all areas. With the popularity of healthy lifestyles and outdoor activities rising and a boost in outings and travelling following COVID-19, the demand for…

Sunglasses in Taiwan is witnessing double-digit growth in 2024, as sunglasses are not only considered fashion accessories but are also practical and functional. Consumer awareness of the detrimental effects of sunlight on eye health is widespread in…

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…

Following growth driven by COVID-19, the major product areas in surface care continued to be bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners, drain openers and floor cleaners in 2023. As such, manufacturers and retailers have continued launching various formats…

The trend towards consuming snacks at home is continuing post-pandemic, with sweet biscuits benefitting more than savoury crackers and potato chips. Taiwanese consumers have developed a stronger craving for sweetness and find comfort in sweet snacks,…

The demand for sweet sauces has reverted to normal consumption patterns following the pandemic, driven further by consumers actively seeking lower sugar options. The overall market is now in a state of supply and demand equilibrium. The trend of…

The Taichung in Taiwan report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

The Taipei in Taiwan report provides comprehensive city level information benchmarked against other cities in the country and region. The report includes historic data and forecasts on city population, consumer expenditure, digital penetration,…

Taipei and Hsinchu emerge as Taiwan's most economically thriving cities, while Taoyuan exhibits the greatest potential for future economic expansion. Nevertheless, Taiwanese cities will face ongoing challenges. In the short term, these include a…

Depopulation in Taiwan up to 2040 will be driven by natural decrease as already low birth rates fall further and death rates rise. Rapid increases in older groups illustrates the ageing trend which will impact consumer lifestyles and spending habits,…

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…

Retail sales of tissue and hygiene in Taiwan registered accelerated growth in current value terms in 2023, when compared to the previous year. Prevailing Inflationary pressures were a key contributor this trend, as rising raw material and supply…

Tobacco in Taiwan has been heavily impacted by the amended Tobacco Hazards Prevention Act, which came into effect on 22 March 2023. Taiwan now operates a complete ban on e-vapour products and regulates heated tobacco products. There are some…