Malaysia

Following reopened borders and lifted restrictions in 2022, Malaysia's retail sector witnessed a surge in consumer revenge spending throughout the year. However, starting from the second quarter of 2023, the trend showed signs of decline as consumer…

As of August 2023, dengue cases were up 117% year-on-year, bringing the total cases to 73,680 from January to August 2023, compared with 39,769 cases in the same period in 2022. By September 2023, cases had risen to 88,672, with a massive surge in…

Pet care saw solid retail current value growth in Malaysia in 2023, with this trend set to continue in 2024. Improved GDP growth, a subsiding inflation rate, and stable disposable incomes have helped to sustain growth for pet food and pet products in…

We note a trend towards premiumisation in retail tissue in 2023 in Malaysia. This is evidenced by Vinda Deluxe (Vinda Malaysia Sdn Bhd) continuing to grow its share. This player uses strong marketing and promotional campaigns across online platforms,…

Social distancing measures remained in effect in Malaysia in 2021, with consumers forced to avoid spending time outside of the home wherever possible, and huge numbers of white-collar professionals, office workers and service industry personnel were…

Toilet care maintained solid retail volume and current value growth in 2023, although from a relatively low base. Many consumers, especially those with young children, remain in the habit of periodically cleaning the toilet. Even post-pandemic,…

Home care disinfectants saw a retail volume decline in 2022, after the pandemic high. However, the habit of using such products remains, especially amongst many younger consumers, and those with children, and growth resumed in 2023. Consumers…

Off-trade volume sales are lower than those in on-trade channels in juice, albeit still remaining positive. Consumers with large families (at least four persons per household) tend to prefer liquid concentrates over juice, seeing such as offering…

Food price inflation remained elevated in 2023, as the country is a net food importer, and huge increases in the prices of imported white rice came into effect in September 2023. Although it is still unknown how overall consumer spending will be…

The lifting of restrictions in 2022 has reshaped the Malaysian consumer landscape, with local consumers no longer confined to their homes. The newfound freedom has boosted spending in sectors such as tourism and food service, detracting from consumer…

Deodorant sprays posted the most dynamic growth within deodorants in Malaysia in 2023, rising fastest in both volume and current value terms as the format gained greater appeal among local consumers. Many brands of deodorant sprays have been…

Fountain sales and on-trade volume growth are supported in RTD tea, in part due to the expansion of hotels in Malaysia, such as the Hyatt Place Kuala Lumpur, INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala Lumpur, and Courtyard by Marriott Melaka. It has become the norm for…

On-trade volume and fountain sales in carbonates are being supported by developments in foodservice and hospitality channels. For example, as seen with the growth of hotels in the country, such as the Hyatt Place Kuala Lumpur, INNSiDE by Meliá Kuala…

In 2022, sustainable packaging was gaining traction across industries in Malaysia. As an illustration, 10 fmcg companies united under the Malaysian Recycling Alliance (MAREA), committing themselves to recycling 5,000 tonnes of plastic waste by the…

On-trade volume sales for tea recorded double-digit growth in Malaysia for the second consecutive year in 2023, with a full recovery to pre-pandemic levels predicted for 2024. At the beginning of 2023 local consumers more fully returned to offices…

Anti-agers continued to thrive in Malaysia in 2023, driving overall growth and development for skin care and leading growth within the category in both volume and current value terms. Anti-agers benefits from regular and frequent new and innovative…

The Malaysian hair care market continued to benefit from the post-pandemic return to previous patterns and habits in 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns and home seclusion promoted a change in the hair care routines of many…

Pet products is set to maintain solid current value growth in Malaysia in 2024, with growth across all categories. However, cat litter is expected to see by far the strongest increase. The cat population continued to rise in 2023, and this trend is…

The leading chained players in discounters have been eyeing potential expansion opportunities in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the improved situation has made it easier for them to justify greater investment in outlet growth. Players have…

Overall polishes maintained growth in retail volume and current value terms in 2023, with increases seen across all categories. However, lifestyle and fashion trends continued to militate against the development of polishes. For instance, younger…