South Africa

2023 has been a tough financial year for consumers, with double-digit food inflation, rising interest rates, and rolling blackouts. Loadshedding significantly affects the entire supply chain, as well as consumers, as it has been implemented almost…

2023 is proving to be a tough financial year for South Africans due to double-digit food inflation, rising interest rates and rolling blackouts. Many categories have experienced single-digit unit price growth, which is placing pressure on volume…

As the price of wheat has increased over the review period as a result of the war in Ukraine, some South Africans have been reducing their bread consumption, leading to a stronger switch to other staple foods such as rice, since it can stretch…

Retail volume sales of processed meat, seafood and alternatives to meat continue to rise in 2023, although different categories are experiencing varying performances. Rolling power outages, especially around dinner time, have been boosting demand for…

Volume sales of shelf stable beans are recording robust, double-digit growth through both retail and foodservice channels in 2023. The rising cost of living has encouraged local consumers to search for affordable protein sources, including beans.…

Many consumers in South Africa are price sensitive, but within the context of the review period, they are more cash-strapped than ever before. There are numerous compounding factors reducing the spending power of local consumers, including elevated…

The average unit price of leavened bread in South Africa, which holds the highest retail volume share in baked goods, has increased significantly in 2023, resulting in another year of retail volume decline, following its weak performance the previous…

Retail demand for local rooibos tea (other tea) continues to grow amid a demographic that is adopting healthier lifestyle habits. Brands are thus producing rooibos offerings that are tailored to different consumers. In the younger demographic,…

Store cards is set to witness growth in volume and value transactions in 2023, supported by cash-strapped consumers, notably lower- to middle-income consumers. This trend has been consolidated by the rising cost of living, which continues to affect…

As mobility has normalised in 2023, following restrictions imposed during the pandemic, demand for pre-paid cards for the Bus Rapid Transport (BRT) system has benefited from households resuming activities such as work and school. Growth in…

The health and wellness trend continues to gain momentum in South Africa. Alternative dairy products are creating access to a new target audience, whereby consumers are experimenting with vegan options. This new segment in consumer preferences is…

In 2023, rising inflation, which reached its highest level in 14 years, and increased input costs for brands are curbing the spending habits of many South Africans. Additionally, input costs for major industry players are rising as they adapt to…

The number of financial cards in circulation is set to continue to increase in 2023, supported by a steady rise in the banked population and the intensified competition between issuers. Meanwhile, value transactions across categories such as debit…

The prices of essential goods and services such as food and electricity have continued to rise in 2023, despite the relatively lower level of inflation, which moved from 7.0% in 2022 to 5.7% in 2023. Debit card value transactions benefited from this…

As more middle-income households are struggling to reach month-end, due to the combined effects of rising interest rates, which have put pressure on existing vehicle and mortgage loans, as well as inflationary pressures, which have affected…

Instant coffee retains its dominance of coffee in retail volume terms in South Africa, with sales continuing to rise in 2023 as many local consumers prioritise their disposable incomes by regularly making coffee at home. They are turning to channels…

Following the significant decline in transaction value and volumes experienced in 2020 due to extended restrictions imposed in the South African travel and hospitality industries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the complete lifting of the state…

The South African economy has continued to struggle in 2023, as reflected by 0.4% real GDP growth, the unemployment rate stagnating beyond 32%, and the South African rand depreciating further against major currencies. Economic growth has also been…

Demand for consumer credit gross lending is set to continue to increase in 2023, despite the South African Reserve Bank’s consecutive rises in interest rates to stabilise inflationary pressures. This trend has been driven mainly by declining…

The first live-action Barbie film was released in South Africa in 2023, encouraging many apparel and footwear specialists to stock various licensed clothing items featuring the Barbie logo. Watching the Barbie film for many local consumers was a…