Africa

Sportswear saw a strong decline in current value sales in 2023, due to the substantial price increases seen in this category. Rising inflation has been exacerbated by the depreciation of the Egyptian pound leaving many consumers stretched…

Menswear sales are decreasing in volume terms in 2023, as substantial price increases of more than 30% curb demand. The rising cost of raw materials, such as cotton, has made menswear more expensive to produce. In addition, the devaluation of the…

Jeans came under pressure in 2023 due to the substantial increases in retail prices. However, volume sales decline was not as pronounced compared to other major apparel categories. As a popular form of apparel in Egypt, demand for jeans has been more…

Soaring prices in the hosiery category led to double-digit value growth in 2023, although volume sales reported a significant decline. High inflation remains an issue fuelled by escalating input costs, including raw materials like cotton. The…

Footwear is witnessing volume sales decline in 2023, due to substantial price increases. As in apparel, footwear has been challenged with rising costs of raw materials like leather. The devaluation of the Egyptian pound and the war in Ukraine has…

Childrenswear is facing the same economic issues as menswear and womenswear in 2023. Retail volume sales have decreased in 2023, due to the high costs of living and soaring childrenswear prices. The rising cost of living has forced parents to make…

Apparel and footwear in Egypt witnessed a challenging year in 2023, with sales volume shifting into strong decline. Demand weakened considerably during the first quarter of the year, as consumers reeled from the huge price increases brought about by…

Apparel accessories in Egypt witnessed a significant decrease in retail volume sales as prices soared in 2023. Prices were pushed up by the escalation of raw material costs, with cotton, leather and threads all soaring. The devaluation of the…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries in Q4 2023 and 2024. Global inflation is moderating, although divergence remains among the key economies. Higher volatility in the energy markets and disruption of…

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…

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…

Since the pandemic, the focus on wearing formal attire has shifted to more casual trends in South Africa. This trend remains prevalent in 2023, with fewer formal attire ranges being displayed in various men’s apparel specialists. As a result, many…

Many South Africans face tough economic conditions due to the rising cost of living. This is forcing them to reduce their discretionary spending. Due to economic difficulties in the country, increasing numbers of consumers are trading down from…

Hosiery remains a small and declining category in South Africa (in retail volume sales terms). Generally, hosiery will account for low share of shelf in most apparel and retail stores. Similarly, expansion potential is relatively limited as there is…

Many South Africans continue to struggle financially in 2023 due to the cost-of-living crisis, where high levels of inflation are impacting the cost of food, fuel and even mortgage and rent payments. Therefore, price-sensitive consumers are reducing…

Many local consumers remain extremely price sensitive in 2023 due to high levels of inflation impacting the prices of food, fuel, mortgage and even rent in South Africa. Hence, they are looking for value for money when they purchase childrenswear.…

For many South Africans, apparel and footwear is perceived as a non-essential purchase, with price-sensitive consumers reducing their discretionary spending in 2023 due to the impact of high inflation on food, fuel and even electricity. Consumers are…

With many consumers struggling financially in South Africa, apparel accessories are regarded as non-essential purchases. With the high levels of inflation that impact the daily cost of living for South Africans, many consumers are reducing their…

In the upcoming years, consumers and businesses face an array of challenges, with rising income inequality being among the key ones. Nevertheless, addressing the income inequality through catering to the Bottom of the Pyramid and the Middle Class…

The global economy is facing weaker growth and increasing fragmentation, as a result of rising geopolitical tensions, especially due to the war in Ukraine and the US-China strategic rivalry. Protectionism, industrial policy and a focus on resilience…