World

Ongoing trends continued to be seen in 2023, with the use of cash declining and the digital transformation of financial cards and payments markets in the region a major theme in Latin America. Be it the Pix instant payments system in Brazil or the…

After moderate growth in 2022, global sales of personal accessories grew more strongly in 2023; however, geopolitical issues ,the cost of living crisis and China’s slow recovery suggest a challenging macro environment, pushing personal accessories…

The use of cash continues to lose out to electronic direct/ACH and card payments in the Asia Pacific region, although paper transactions still remain important in some countries. Digital wallets continue gaining in popularity due to their…

The outlook for global travel and tourism in Q4 2023 was upbeat, as the speed of recovery to peak levels accelerated, pointing to a full return for international tourism spending in 2024. Nevertheless, despite this reversal of fortune for many…

Embedded finance is the critical factor to improve customer journey and drive transformation for services industries.. With travel recovery and sluggish volume sales of automotives, embedded finance is considered to have the most potential to build…

Although inflation eased slightly in 2023 in many markets, global inflation rates remained high by recent historical standards. As a result, price-conscious consumers powered private label sales to record highs in 2023, and market conditions in 2024…

While premiumisation has demonstrated remarkable resilience in spirits, the inevitable slowdown is now underway. Discretionary spending is being scaled back, as a result of prolonged cost of living pressures, and the effects will become increasingly…

Global lodging sales surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time in 2023. Consumers’ eagerness for travel has driven a strong recovery across all global regions. The growth of luxury travel and short-term rentals will be an important factor in…

Cigarettes were in decline in Western Europe in 2022, but sales of next-generation products were increasing – with this expected to continue in the coming years. Disposable vapes recorded dynamic growth in the UK, the region’s biggest e-vapour…

Tobacco in Latin America was recording positive value growth in 2022, driven by the still dominant cigarettes category, but with e-vapour and heated tobacco products recording more dynamic growth. However, the development of these next-generation…