South Africa

Following the dynamic growth seen in tobacco products sales in 2021, which helped the market recoup all the current value losses it suffered due to the pandemic in 2020, a much less dynamic performance was seen in current value terms in 2022, with…

Concerns surrounding rising interest rates, inflationary pressures, loadshedding and supply chain constraints were the focus in 2023, influencing the performance of tissue and hygiene in South Africa. However, overall inflation in the country…

Restrictions on movement, changing consumer preferences and the heightened focus on safety triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic are anticipated to alter the future of consumer mobility, urban planning and construction. The surge in homeworking, reduced…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the consumer goods market in Sub-Saharan Africa, with recovery expected to take place over time. Consumers expenditure has been negatively affected, as value seeking consumers shift to essential products. The…

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,…

Nut and seed based spreads remained the largest category in sweet spreads packaging in retail unit volumes in 2022, recording positive growth in line with demand for these popular products in South Africa. These products are generally perceived as…

Despite maintaining retail volume growth throughout the pandemic and its aftermath, sweet spreads is set to turn to slight decline in 2023, although dynamic current value growth is still expected, due to price rises. Apart from the rising price of…

National Brands is set to continue to lead sweet biscuits in retail value terms in 2023, despite strong competition from private label lines and rising unit prices in South Africa. During 2023 unit prices are set to increase by double digits, driven…

Established green habits, including recycling and reducing food waste, has led almost half of South African consumers to be Zero Wasters, reflected in their sustainable shopping decisions. Growth opportunities are strong, as over half of Zero Wasters…

Purchases of surface care in South Africa are included in many consumers’ grocery shopping budgets. In 2023, food inflation peaked at double digits, limiting affordability, in addition to a further rise in unit prices of surface care. This scenario…

After a relatively strong performance during the pandemic, due to lockdown restrictions, supermarkets in South Africa once again benefited in 2023 from consumers’ renewed focus on essential products due to economic pressures. The channel’s…

Many consumers in South Africa continue to experience financial difficulties due to the high cost of living, leaving them with lower disposable incomes to spend on perceived non-essential items such as sunglasses. Therefore, they are more likely to…

Demand for sun care in South Africa remained stable in 2023 compared to the previous year, but below pre-pandemic levels. This was due to greater competition from hybrid products that offer sun protection properties, thereby reducing the need to…

Sugar confectionery is set to record high single-digit retail current value growth in 2023; however, rising unit prices are expected to drive down retail volume demand. Most categories are projected to see double-digit growth in unit prices as a…

South Africa’s sugar industry has struggled in recent years due to a combination of poor local production, impacted by loadshedding and flooding, as well as elevated international sugar prices, caused by climatic factors such as drought. While…

Whilst street stalls/kiosks has long been dominated by independent players in South Africa, the changing trading environment has seen a growing interest by chained operators that are traditionally present in limited-service and full-service…

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…

Potatoes are a staple for many South Africans, comprising 95% total volume share of starchy roots. Therefore, a reduction in supply and price hikes are impacting local consumers. The supply of potatoes declined in February 2023 to the lowest…

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…

Since the pandemic, many consumers have adopted healthy lifestyles that include regular workouts or walks. This in turn has fuelled demand for sportswear, with sales remaining buoyant in 2023. While increasingly busy consumers may have less time to…