South Africa

Baby and child-specific products in South Africa remained resilient in 2023, despite a struggling economy. Many consumers continued to prioritise their children’s wellbeing, supporting further demand across the category. This ongoing positive…

Bath and shower in South African remained an essential category for many local consumers in 2023. Despite being financially challenged, much of the country’s population perceives bar soap as essential and tends to be included in most consumers’…

In 2023, demand for beauty and personal care in South Africa continued to rise, despite many local consumers experiencing financial difficulties due to the cost-of-living crises. As a result, South Africans prioritised their expenditure and where…

The briefing introduces the Cities Households Necessities Spending Index. The index ranks 1,075 cities by household expenditure on non-discretionary items, namely food, housing, and clothing and footwear. This analysis focuses on 160 major cities.…

Demand for colour cosmetics in South Africa remained below pre-pandemic levels in 2023, as many local consumers continued to struggle financially and reduced their purchases of perceived non-essential products. However, sales promotions on colour…

Despite remaining under financial pressure in 2023, demand for deodorants in South Africa continued to grow. However, many consumers reviewed their budgets and only prioritised certain products, while also becoming extremely strategic in terms of…

With South African consumers experiencing financial pressures in 2023 as the cost of living in the country increased, they searched for ways to reduce outgoings, including on depilatories. For many consumers, depilatories are essential, as shaving is…

Despite recording a positive performance in 2023, demand for fragrances in South Africa remained below pre-pandemic levels. This is because many local consumers continued to face economic pressures and prioritised essential beauty and personal care…

There was a strong emphasis on natural ingredients within hair care in South Africa towards the end of the review period. An increasing number of consumers have moved away from potentially harmful chemicals in their hair care products and are…

Sales of mass beauty and personal care in South Africa continued to rise in 2023, with many consumers struggling with the cost of living. Cash-strapped consumers became stricter with their budgets, and reduced their shopping list for their beauty and…

Demand for men’s grooming in South Africa continued to rise in 2023. Since the pandemic, an increasing number of South African males have started to prioritise their skin care routines, including a greater shift towards using face masks. Men are not…

Demand for oral care in South Africa remained stable in 2023, as this category is deemed essential for maintaining personal health and self-care. However, local consumers also continued to struggle with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Although…

The value size of premium beauty and personal care in South Africa remained considerably smaller than that of the mass segment in 2023, with the latter also recording a more dynamic growth performance. As many local consumers struggled with the cost…

Since the pandemic, consumers have increasingly focused on skin care in South Africa as part of self-care routines, supporting elevated demand in 2023. Despite tough economic hardships in South Africa, new skin care brands continued to emerge as many…

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…

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…