Middle East

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…

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,…

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…

Sports drinks in the United Arab Emirates remains a young category with further high growth potential following its dynamic performance in 2022 and 2023. The concept of fitness, increasingly integrated into consumers’ lifestyles, has only emerged…

The Saudi government is focusing on promoting sports across the Kingdom with it aiming to encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles through its Quality of Life programme, which is one of its Vision 2030 initiatives. It is paying great attention…

The tax on all sweetened beverages was withdrawn at the end of March 2023 and the Ministry of Health required retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax being removed. The removal of the tax, which was marketed as lowering the cost of…

Demand for soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates (in both off-trade and on-trade channels) is growing in 2023, despite global economic challenges. The purchasing power of most local consumers remains high, as a major proportion of the population…

Sales of soft drinks have continued to see healthy growth in retail volume and value terms in 2023, with sales benefiting from a booming economy. Furthermore, the country’s hot climate means there is a constant demand for soft drinks. Saudi Arabia…

In 2023, demand for soft drinks in Qatar was fuelled by the constant stream of high profile events, which drove on- and off-trade sales. However, there was a dip in demand, following strong off-trade increases and the rebound in on-trade sales in…

In 2023, soft drinks in Oman have shown resilience post COVID-19. Soft drinks, including bottled water and juices, have rebounded positively, aligning with the resurgence of social events. Health and wellness trends continue to shape preferences,…

2023 saw pressure on demand for soft drinks ease as the re-dollarisation of the Lebanese pound, rising remittances and buoyant inbound arrivals, spurred by returning expatriates, pushed volume growth. On-trade growth was especially strong as the…

Kuwait’s hot climate, fast pace of life and unpotable drinking water present strong opportunities for soft drinks players. However, the health and wellness trend, and particularly rising concern over the country’s rates of obesity and diabetes, have…

In 2023, soft drinks in Jordan has been performing well due to a substantial rise in tourist numbers, particularly overnight visitors. This surge has positively influenced foodservices sales, as consumers are increasingly dining out and utilising…

The ultra-Orthodox community expressed annoyance with the tax placed on sweetened soft drinks on 1 January 2022. With a tax on plasticware also in place, this community believed that these measures were weighted against lower socioeconomic groups,…

Soft drinks saw rising demand in 2023 despite challenges such as the weak exchange value of the dinar and a lack of structure in the industry. Population growth and the youth of Iraq’s population are major reasons for rising demand in carbonates,…

RTD tea in the United Arab Emirates is among three categories within soft drinks demonstrating double-digit growth rates in 2023. Its success is partly being driven by its novelty factor in the local market, in line with the continuing success of RTD…

RTD tea is a relatively niche category in Saudi Arabia with it being the smallest soft drinks category in retail volume terms in 2023. Nonetheless, the category has continued to post strong growth both through the off- and on-trade channels. The…

The tax on all sweetened beverages was removed at the end of March 2023. With the government claiming that it was looking to lower the cost of living for locals, the Ministry of Health required retailers to lower prices within three days of the tax…

Price per litre, RTD coffee is the most expensive category within soft drinks in the United Arab Emirates, followed by energy drinks. Its high price is driven by the premium nature of the product, a relatively small bottle size and the domination of…

Sales of RTD coffee rose sharply from a low base over the review period with locals becoming increasingly aware of these products and sales have continued to see dynamic growth in 2023 in off- and on-trade volume terms. Starbucks Iced Coffee has…