Africa

Having plunged by almost a fifth during 2020, retail constant value sales (2021 prices) of apparel and footwear specialist retailers rebounded in 2021 but remained well below their pre-pandemic level. The number of outlets continued to decline during…

Apparel and footwear specialists in Egypt felt the force of economic and political issues in 2023. Amid the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, high inflation, currency devaluation, import restrictions and the fallout of the war in Ukraine and…

Decathlon, a key player in the mass distribution of sports and leisure apparel and footwear, continued to demonstrate its winning model in 2023. With a discreet yet impactful approach, Decathlon has successfully democratised access to sports and…

In 2023, apparel and footwear specialists in Nigeria contended with a challenging retail environment characterised by low consumer purchasing power and rising inflation. As consumers prioritised essential items such as groceries and medicine,…

The performance of apparel and footwear specialists in South Africa continued to improve in 2023, due to consumers’ revived routines such as returning to the workplace and shopping centres. As inflationary pressure has been impacting disposable…

Appliances and electronics specialists in Egypt saw significant new investments towards the end of the review period. Vestel, a Turkish home and professional appliances manufacturer, and Zorlu, a multinational holding company, announced plans to…

Demand for household appliances has been under pressure, reflecting high inflation and shifting consumer priorities. However, despite this overall decline, demand for small household appliances continued to grow steadily since 2020. This trend…

Appliances and electronics specialists in Nigeria experienced a downturn in 2023 as consumers grappled with economic challenges. Rising costs of appliances and electronics prompted consumers to reassess their purchasing priorities, leading to a…

In 2023, sales via appliances and electronics specialists in South Africa were mainly driven by high inflation and currency depreciation, which directly influenced prices. The channel was also affected by lower demand from cash-strapped consumers,…

Convenience retailers in Egypt was affected by direct government efforts to support convenience stores. As the success of convenience stores is high, the government aims to stimulate new initiatives and facilitate bank loans to help local…

In 2023, Moroccan retailers faced heightened competition, compelling them to diversify their strategies to maintain market relevance and sustain growth. Convenience stores, in particular, encountered stiff competition not only from traditional…

The currency redesign initiated by the Central Bank of Nigeria in early 2023 created significant challenges for convenience retailers. The scarcity of the local currency, coupled with Nigeria's predominantly cash-driven economy and a large segment of…

In 2023, convenience stores in South Africa continued to benefit from proximity to local households, with this format often used for daily or weekly top-ups. However, in suburban areas, the channel is increasingly being threatened by the emergence of…

Direct selling has evolved in the recent review period, with sellers turning to social media and online marketplaces. This switch to e-commerce was stimulated by the era of COVID-19, when consumers and players alike were forced to embrace online…

Multi-level level marketing remained the most popular form of direct selling in Cameroon in 2022 as the retailing category recorded a positive performance for the second year in a row. However, this was not enough for category sales to recover to…

Direct selling in Egypt has been transformed into a social commerce platform through evolving market dynamics, a significant reliance on social media platforms for news and trends and changing shopping behaviours. This shift is informed by the…

Direct selling retail current value sales exhibited a steep decline during 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restrictions on movement, most notably a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the major cities, made it difficult for salespeople to move around,…

Direct selling in Morocco experiences a resurgence as society resumes normal activities, albeit amidst economic challenges posed by the rising cost of living. Despite initial setbacks during the pandemic, cosmetics and skin care show signs of…

Direct selling in Nigeria faced challenges in 2023 as the country grappled with high inflation, resulting in decreased purchasing power among consumers. The direct selling model, predominantly conducted through social commerce and word of mouth, saw…

In 2023, direct selling in South Africa remained subject to challenging operating environments. Despite some stabilising of value sales following three consecutive years of decline as a result of the pandemic, there was still lower demand for certain…