Retailing

Apparel and footwear specialists saw further current value growth in Indonesia in 2023. In the post-COVID-19 environment, consumer experience has become increasingly important, with consumers expecting comfort and unique design in stores. Gen Z and…

After a year of minimal current value growth in 2022, when consumers limited their trips outside the home due to COVID-19 outbreaks, vending saw a strong increase in its growth rate in China in 2023. A double-digit rise was seen in value sales –…

Supermarkets saw moderate growth in current value terms in China in 2023. Consumer confidence is yet to pick up significantly in China, as economic uncertainty lingers in the country. Many supermarkets are also struggling with quality control,…

Small local grocers in China includes a broad range of outlet types, from mom-and-pop stores to wet markets. After a year of significant decline in 2022, small local grocers returned to growth in 2023. This was mainly due to the end of COVID-19…

Retail in China maintained current value growth in 2023. In early December 2022, the Chinese government announced “New Ten Measures” to optimise COVID-19 prevention, and it cancelled the zero-COVID policy. The whole country saw an end to…

Robust growth continued for retail e-commerce in China in 2023, although the rate of current value increase was slower than seen in previous years. Retail sales were driven by strong performances for drinks and tobacco e-commerce, and for home…

Despite seeing a halt to the decline in outlet numbers in 2023, hypermarkets continued its long-standing decline in retail current value terms in China in 2023. One driver of the fall in sales is that the channel is under intense competition from…

The sales of home products specialists were hit hard in China during the different waves of the pandemic, especially in 2020 and 2022, as consumers tightened their belts when it came to non-essential products, foot traffic reduced in stores, some…

In 2023, overall health and beauty specialists saw a steady increase in current value terms and in terms of outlet numbers compared with 2022 in China. Positive current value growth was achieved across all channels, including pharmacies, despite the…

After seeing a notable decline in value sales in 2022 during the waves of COVID-19 across the country, when many consumers lost confidence in spending on non-essential durable goods, general merchandise stores saw a moderate rebound in its sales in…

Robust growth momentum was seen for discounters in China in 2023, with increases in both current value terms and in outlet numbers. This was driven by increasing economic uncertainty in the country, which led more Chinese consumers to seek products…

Several years of current value decline were seen in direct selling in China during the pandemic, as the direct selling business model relies heavily on hosting meetings or gatherings to introduce products and recruit new sales personnel, which was…

Even after seeing strong performances throughout the pandemic years, convenience retailers maintained its growth momentum in current value terms in China in 2023, with growth in outlet numbers also continuing. Even as the pandemic eased, consumers…

In 2023, sales of consumer appliances and consumer electronics saw solid growth in China, thanks to the end of the pandemic, and the “Old for new”, and “Subsidies for green and energy-saving household appliances” policies. However, despite this, and…

After a year of significant decline in 2022 due to pandemic restrictions, in 2023 apparel and footwear specialists continued to see a slight fall in current value sales in China, despite the lifting of restrictions. With the end of the pandemic,…

Vending saw current value sales rise in Thailand in 2023. The country has been home to vending machines for over 20 years, but vending has recently gained ground with new brands entering the market and brining in new technology and payment systems.…

In Taiwan, traditional vending machines are giving way to smart vending solutions, leveraging advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, and big data. These smart machines offer more than just snacks and…

2023 witnessed the full effect of the removal of pandemic-related restrictions concerning social activity and international travel, with vending in Singapore continuing to record strong growth due to greater mobility. The vending format thrives on…

Supermarkets in Vietnam saw significant growth in 2023, with notable increases in terms of both current value sales and the number of outlets, driven by the aggressive expansion strategies of key players. Local consumers in suburban and rural areas…

Current value sales continued to rise for supermarkets in Thailand in 2023, at a rate that was significantly faster than that posted in 2022. Supermarket operators in the country tend to target middle- to upper-income consumers, who are somewhat less…

Supermarkets in Taiwan recorded steady value sales growth in 2023, a year marked by digitalisation efforts as well as an expansion in home delivery services. Uni-President officially acquired Carrefour's business in Taiwan on Nov 14, 2022. This…

Despite a marginal value sales decline in 2023, supermarkets in Singapore remained the most popular format of grocery retailers in the local market, with value sales still remaining higher than pre-pandemic levels, and the number of outlets…

Small local grocers have been finding it increasingly difficult to compete with other retail channels. In 2023 the rapid growth of convenience stores and the persistent rise in e-commerce purchases continued to take their toll on traditional grocery…

Current value sales for traditional small grocers in Thailand continued to rise in 2023, though at a significantly slower rate than in 2022, as the trend towards shopping in small stores close to homes continued. Small local grocers also benefit from…

Small local grocers in Taiwan recorded solid growth in value sales in 2023. The country boasts over 300 night markets, housing about 20,000 vendors and merchants, with a majority situated in towns and rural areas. These vibrant hubs represent the…

“Mama shops”, which are small local grocers in Singapore typically located within older and mature residential estates, used to be the cornerstone of grocery retailers in the local market. Such a traditional retail format used to thrive on the…

Retail in Vietnam struggled in 2023, facing pressures from inflation and a weakening export market, among other things. Local consumers cut back on spending which negatively impacted several retail categories, including appliances and electronics…

Thailand’s retail industry in 2023 continued to evolve and improve, responding to growing demand from consumers with convenience as a key driver. The wholesale and retail sectors, along with the vehicle maintenance and household goods sectors, have…

Retail in 2023 presented a mixed landscape in Taiwan, marked by economic challenges as the country grappled with a recession in the first quarter. This downturn was primarily attributed to a decline in exports and subdued global demand for…

Retail in Singapore has left the impact of the pandemic behind following the easing of restrictions, and has continued with resilient, albeit slower, growth in 2023. The full-scale resumption of social activities and the reopening of international…

In 2023 retail e-commerce in Vietnam continued to see robust rises, recording faster current value sales growth than it did in 2022. Vietnamese consumers are increasingly family with e-commerce marketplaces, drawn to the very frequent offer of a…

E-commerce sales in Thailand saw slowed but strong growth in terms of current value in 2023. The channel still accounts for an only small percentage of retail overall, though growth has been rapid and remained robust in 2023. At the same time, there…

As e-commerce in Taiwan matures, the dynamics of online shopping are undergoing significant shifts, presenting both challenges and opportunities for retailers. Despite experiencing growth in retail value sales in 2023, the pace of expansion has…

E-commerce in Singapore experienced a marginal decline in value sales in 2023 due to the normalisation of shopping habits. This was expected, given the sharp growth recorded by the channel during the pandemic, when consumers had limited alternatives…

Hypermarkets in Vietnam continued to focus on network expansion into tier 1 and tier 2 cities in 2023, in response to higher living standards and modern lifestyles. E-Mart opened three new outlets over 2022-2023. The player has also been actively…

Hypermarkets in Thailand saw current value sales slow in 2023, though growth remained positive. While these stores benefit from selling large volumes, growth is suffering because players focus on targeting customers with medium-to-low purchasing…

During 2023, retail value sales of hypermarkets recorded steady growth, aided by online sales and the expansion of delivery platforms. For example, following its acquisition by PX Mart in 2022, RT Mart underwent marketing integration to optimise…

With the additional space available in hypermarkets in Singapore, operators have identified an opportunity to incorporate specific services offering greater value in an attempt to improve the in-store shopping experience and make a trip to the store…

Home products specialists in Vietnam turned in a positive performance in 2023, with current value sales growth rising, though at a slower rate than was recorded in 2022 when the channel rebounded post-pandemic. Continued work-from-home trends have…

Home products specialists in Thailand saw significant expansion in 2023 as big brands continued to roll out new stores, especially upcountry, and to tailor their business models to cater to local demand. Over the review period consumers showed rising…

Amidst the backdrop of increased demand for home accessories and furniture during the pandemic, home products specialists in Taiwan witnessed a steady rise in retail sales in 2023. This growth was propelled by the surge in online sales, with homeware…

Despite recording a marginal decline in 2023 as demand started to stabilise following the surge during the pandemic and subsequent seclusion, value sales of homewares and home furnishing stores in Singapore remained above 2019 levels. Retail giant…

Health and beauty specialists recorded a slowdown in terms of expansion of outlet numbers in Vietnam in 2023, with independent retailers in particular struggling in the face of raised rents and increased utility costs. The channel has been undergoing…

Retail current value sales in health and beauty specialists in Thailand rose again in 2023, with life returning to pre-pandemic patterns. The channel has so far shown strong recovery from the coronavirus crisis. Beauty specialist retailers such as…

After two years of decline, health and beauty specialists in Taiwan experienced a significant resurgence in 2022, a trend that continued into 2023. With the easing of pandemic restrictions and the removal of mask mandates, consumers eagerly returned…

Similar to other retail channels such as apparel and footwear specialists, beauty specialists in Singapore benefited from the resumption of pre-pandemic lifestyles, such as a return to the office, social activities and international travel. With…

General merchandise stores in Vietnam benefitted from increased inbound tourist flows in 2023, with Vietnam’s tourism industry continuing to rebound post-pandemic and luring millions of international visitors within the year’s first nine months.…

Variety stores in Thailand saw positive though slowed growth in terms of current value sales in 2023. The segment was hit hard by the pandemic and its economic fallout; many local consumers remained reluctant to shop from variety stores as they…

Following two years of economic downturn, general merchandise stores in Taiwan experienced a remarkable resurgence 2023, witnessing double-digit growth in retail sales. Surpassing the convenience stores channel, general merchandise stores reclaimed…

Variety stores in Singapore continued to record solid growth in 2023, driven by the rising cost-of-living pressures, which were a key area of concern for local consumers. Amid a muted economic climate, and rising prices as a result of inflation and…