Malaysia

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits. 

In 2023, glass jars remained the dominant packaging type for sweet spreads. Jams and preserves dominate sweet spreads packaging in Malaysia, with glass jars the dominant pack type in this category. Glass is an inert material, meaning it does not…

In Malaysia, glass bottles are the dominant pack type used in ketchup packaging. These bottles, whether cylindrical or sporting unique shapes, offer a distinct advantage – transparency. Consumers can easily see the rich colour and consistency of the…

Chilled processed meat is only packaged in flexible plastic in Malaysia. This encompasses a variety of formats, including hermetically sealed packs, flow wraps, overwraps and other non-stand-up pouch materials. Flexible plastic offers a significant…

Metal food cans remain the dominant pack type for shelf stable fruit and vegetables in Malaysia. This dominance, extending to products like beans, fruits and tomatoes, has persisted for years, with no changes seen in 2023. The primary reason behind…

Brick liquid cartons’ dominance can be attributed to both product functionality and consumer preferences. They offer excellent protection for plant-based milk. The multi-layered structure provides a barrier against light and air exposure, both of…

While metal food cans remained the most significant pack type in unit volume terms in 2023, folding cartons, the second most widely used packaging format, continued to gain share in overall meals and soups in this year. Folding cartons are used for a…

Homewares in Malaysia saw steady growth in current value terms in 2023. Sales were boosted by the increasing emphasis on aesthetic appeal as consumers looked for stylish and modern cookware, ovenware, and other homewares to enhance the visual appeal…

Home improvement was the most dynamic category in home and garden in current value terms in 2023. This was owing to the growth and development of the country’s DIY culture, spurred on by an abundance of online tutorials across platforms such as…

Home furnishings registered steady growth in current value terms in 2023, with barbeques, home office furniture, and light-emitting diode lamps (LED) being among the most dynamic categories. Building on the work-from-home trend that developed during…

Sales of home and garden products remained strong in Malaysia in current value terms in 2023. However, this was primarily due to inflation, which led to higher prices, boosting overall value sales. A surge in home renovation projects, fuelled by…

Gardening in Malaysia saw steady growth in current value terms in 2023, primarily driven by urbanisation, the developing DIY culture, and evolving consumer preferences. For instance, rapid urbanisation led to a rise in apartment living with limited…

The Malaysian dairy industry is seeing a significant shift towards HDPE bottles for the packaging of fresh milk and flavoured milk drinks. While HDPE offers less transparency than PET, its superior tactile properties, particularly its…

Flexible plastic is a dominant pack type in confectionery due to cost-effectiveness, product protection and consumer convenience. Flexible plastic offers a significant cost advantage for producers compared to alternative packaging materials. This…

In 2023, total packaging unit volumes for baby food recorded solid growth. Folding cartons and flexible plastic, the leading pack types for baby food, both registered rising packaging unit volumes in this year, with folding cartons outperforming…

Demand for sunglasses in Malaysian remains strong in 2024, with more consumers willing to invest in purchasing new products. This is partly thanks to the resurgence of international travel and increasingly active lifestyles. The revival of…

Current value growth in spectacles in Malaysia is being driven by premiumisation trends in 2024. Malaysians are typically brand conscious and show a strong appetite for luxury and premium spectacle frames. The trend is supported by the growing number…

Eyewear in Malaysia in 2024 is seeing continued growth overall in both volume and current value terms. Sales are supported by the fuller resurgence of international travel and return to active outdoor lifestyles. Retailers are leveraging this trend…

Contact lenses in Malaysia is seeing a continued consumer shift from frequent replacement lenses to daily disposable lenses in 2024. This is being driven by changing lifestyles and evolving demand. In the immediate aftermath of the pandemic, local…

In 2023, Malaysia’s GDP growth slowed to 4.0%, amid a challenging global economic environment, geopolitical conflicts, and tight monetary policies. However, Malaysia’s GDP per capita remained above the Asia Pacific average over the year. The…