Asia Pacific

The Asian consumer is changing. Traditional values that served the collective in terms of both society and the family are on the wane, with COVID-19 lockdowns accelerating a new focus on individualism and the self. This report explores how Asian…

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.…

During the pandemic, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs encouraged local citizens to grow their own vegetables at home to ensure food security. The notice encouraged them to make use of their balconies, rooftops, and other available spaces…

The pandemic drove up interest in gardening in Hong Kong, as local consumers were forced to spend greater time at home. Early 2022 saw further lockdowns in the city, which prevented consumers from venturing outside of their homes, and therefore their…

The growing interest in gardening in India can be attributed to several factors, including the lack of green spaces in urban areas, a desire to connect with nature, and the therapeutic benefits of gardening. Gardening is seen to create a peaceful and…

The 'grow your own food' culture grew significantly in popularity in Indonesia during the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic as huge numbers of local people sought new ways to become more self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on the commercial…

Gardening became a favourite pastime amongst many consumers during the pandemic, as people were confined to their homes, with few outside entertainment options available. In 2022, gardening saw declines in sales compared with the previous year in…

Retail sales of gardening were much higher in 2022 compared to pre-pandemic levels, driven by the increased interest among Malaysians to improve the liveability of their homes and interact with nature amidst hectic urban lifestyles. However, growth…

Gardening as an active practice or a hobby was not a particularly popular trend in Singapore prior to the emergence of the pandemic. This was because Singapore has limited space, featuring high-rise buildings without gardens or balconies, which made…

Gardening became a popular hobby in South Korea during the pandemic, as consumers sought to be close to nature. All gardening categories grew in current value terms in 2022 compared to the previous year, and saw demand in both current terms and at…

Taiwan faces a shortage of outdoor space in urban areas, due to high population density, limited land availability and the predominance of apartments. This means that many consumers turn to indoor plants as a way of bringing greenery to their homes.…

Gardening was the most dynamic area of home and garden in 2022 with most categories seeing double-digit growth in current value terms. During the pandemic a growing number of consumers started to show an interest in gardening as restrictions meant…

The pandemic forced people to stay indoors for significant periods in 2020 and 2021, leading to gardening becoming a more popular pastime. As well as being an enjoyable pastime, gardening also provided an opportunity for consumers to connect with…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. In 2023, global inflation is expected to ease from its peak in 2022, but remaining significantly above-trend. Geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market are…

The report examines inflation level and drivers globally and in the key countries. Global inflation is forecast to accelerate due to higher energy and commodity prices, disruptions in supply chains and weaker business confidence. Impact varies…

This report examines inflation levels and drivers globally and in key countries. Global inflation is reaching a peak, although geopolitical risks and uncertainty in the energy market remain key risks. The impact varies between countries, with…

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…

This briefing examines how the wood commodity is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of wood supply and consumption. The report also provides data and analysis for wood prices, imports, exports and top consuming industries as…

This briefing examines how the furniture industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of furniture output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry profitability…

The global outlook has improved as of Q1 2021, thanks to vaccination progress in many developed countries. Nevertheless, the recovery prospects remain distant for most economies in the face of the spread of new, more infectious variants of the virus.…