Consumer Finance

While consumers in the Middle East and Africa region continue to increase their usage of card payments and the digitalisation of the financial industry also continues to advance, cash still remains important in many countries, especially the African…

This report provides an in-depth analysis of the potential market strategies for companies in Sub-Saharan Africa amidst the current cost of living crisis. It details how companies can leverage affordability, technology, and values to cater to the…

Technological advances in 2024 will continue to reshape consumer behaviour. This annual report explores the top five digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this report’s edition…

Pre-paid cards in the United Arab Emirates is experiencing a surge in innovation and growth, driven by evolving consumer preferences, technological advances, and the increasing popularity of digital payments. Mobile reloading options, such as bank…

The United Arab Emirates continues its journey towards a cashless society, with the continued adoption of digital payment solutions, contactless cards, and the emergence of supplementary payment platforms or solutions in pre-paid cards that support…

Contactless payments are becoming increasingly popular in the United Arab Emirates, driven by the convenience and safety they offer. Banks are accelerating the adoption of contactless payment technology, embedding NFC (Near Field Communication) chips…

The credit cards category in the United Arab Emirates is set to experience strong growth by all measures in 2023, fuelled by a combination of favourable economic conditions, evolving consumer preferences, and the adoption of new technologies. The…

Aligned with historical patterns, there is expected to be an ongoing decrease in the number of charge cards in circulation in the United Arab Emirates in 2023, even though transaction value is set to show growth across both the commercial and…

Despite rising inflation, increasing mortgage rates and interest rates, consumer lending in the United Arab Emirates remains buoyant in 2023. The local economy’s recovery and expansion are influencing the momentum of consumer lending, but…

Banks in the United Arab Emirates continue to offer attractive card lending offers in 2023. With many credit cards now having appealing credit limits depending on the salary range and credit score of consumers, many banks are offering to convert…

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…

Pre-paid cards are benefitting from the Kingdom’s move towards a cashless society – especially so in certain areas. For example, as seen with the uptake of pre-paid cards for the payment of workers’ salaries, notably so for domestic workers. In this…

Saudi Arabia has taken significant steps to transform itself into a cashless society – starting even before the event of the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered digital evolution in industries globally. In this regard, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia…

Debit cards continue to make up a large portion of all financial cards in Saudi Arabia. Indeed, debit cards are even more prevalent than credit cards in the KSA, owing to a number of factors, such as wide acceptance and convenience of use, as well as…

Credit cards are not as popular as debit cards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, however, the category still shows a fair performance. One main issue which credit cards face in the KSA is a question mark around their compliance with Sharia Law.…

Charge cards follow a typical pattern in Saudi Arabia, where such cards have a set consumer base consisting of, mainly, affluent Saudi citizens who use these cards while travelling. Therefore, the rebound of travel and tourism following the pandemic…

In 2023, closed loop pre-paid cards witnessed a decline in transaction value and volume, consistent with a continuing trend as consumers increasingly shift towards payment apps. Despite some consumers still having significant value loaded onto their…

In 2023, Israel is experiencing a notable surge in the use of digital wallets, largely driven by the rising number of providers and the inherent convenience they offer. The entry of major players like Apple Pay in late 2021 significantly boosted the…

In 2023, Israel experienced a notable surge in debit card usage as more individuals opted to pay with credit cards instead of cash. The number of debit cards in circulation increased remarkably. Furthermore, the volume of transactions using debit…

In early 2023, the Israeli government is set to mandate Discount Bank to divest its credit card business, Visa Cal, aiming to enhance competition within the credit card market. This move will introduce a new player to the credit market, fostering a…

Consumer lending in Saudi Arabia is on the upturn, as the Kingdom has generally recovered from the aftereffects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreso, due to consumer behaviour and expenditures unwaveringly affected by the pandemic, along with 15% VAT,…

In 2023, the Bank of Israel implemented a significant benchmark interest rate hike. This resulted in a sharp increase in mortgage payments, impacting individuals who hold mortgages and loans. The aggressive interest rate hikes have escalated mortgage…

Other personal lending continues to be an area of interest in Saudi Arabia, as this category primarily constitutes personal loans taken for medical purposes and travelling. This has been particularly prominent since the end of pandemic restrictions…

In 2023, the growth of consumer lending in Israel experienced a notable slowdown, continuing a trend observed over recent years. The outstanding balance in card lending saw a decline, significantly influenced by rising inflation and the increasing…

The increasing prevalence of charge cards issued by non-bank entities in 2023 is significantly impacting the usage of charge cards. The convenience and security offered by digital wallets pose a threat to credit card usage. The rapid growth of…

Rising costs of living pose challenges globally, but companies can find opportunities in several categories, essential and discretionary, especially in underpenetrated fast-growing markets. By considering category adjacencies and focusing on value,…

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…

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…

Now in its seventh edition, this report explores the top digital shopper trends that will redefine commerce the most in the year ahead. Some of the trends included in this edition touch on topics such as second-hand shopping, community group buying,…

Consumer mobility is evolving as urbanisation, sustainability and growing technological savviness are driving demand for travel supported by dynamic payment solutions. Euromonitor International introduces the Digital Payments in Mobility Index to…

Store cards remained non-existent in Israel in 2021. No retailers have expressed a strong interest in offering these types of financial cards. Moreover, there is currently no indication that store cards will emerge in the country at any point during…

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…

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.…

As consumers prepare fewer meals overall, while demanding more assistance for the ones they do, spending and brand equity will accrue to those companies providing fresh prepared meals on demand, from delivery aggregators to retailers, restaurant…

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered the most severe global recession since World War II. In Q4 2020, the end of the pandemic started as countries began administering effective vaccines among the population; however, vaccine distribution…

As the COVID-19 pandemic drives seismic shifts across consumer markets, the key question facing business strategists is which of these changes are more reactionary in nature versus signalling the start of a long-term behavioural shift. This briefing…

Coronavirus (COVID-19) has shaken up consumer goods and service industries in the Middle East, putting pressure on supply chains and depressing sales as lockdowns and job losses squeeze discretionary spending. Essential items such as packaged food,…

Technological advances are creating unprecedented change across consumer-facing industries. The Digital Consumer Survey, fielded in March and April, offers insight into the pace and depth of this evolution, tracking consumer behaviour, attitudes,…