Retailing

The downward decline of traditional grocery retailers was accelerated by COVID-19. To avoid exposure to COVID-19, consumers opted to do one big shop in modern grocery retailers, rather than more frequent, smaller shops in the local traditional…

The digital revolution has been rewiring retail for years. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic accelerated this transition as e-commerce became the default setting for many housebound consumers. The crisis-inspired surge in e-commerce is leading to a…

The war in Ukraine exacted a heavy toll on Georgia’s economy with retail prices spiking in 2022. Close trade links with Russia and Georgia’s status as an emerging economy have also exerted pressure on the country’s currency, with depreciation also…

E-commerce posted another strong year of growth in 2022, with current value sales buoyed by higher inflation rates. Following the boom during the COVID-19 pandemic, online retailers witnessed more sustainable growth as many consumers returned to…

Georgians shifted back to in-store shopping behaviours following the removal of pandemic restrictions. Many consumers chose to prioritise retail shopping in shopping malls and high streets as lifestyles shifted back to normality. Non-grocery…

While COVID-19 had a negative impact on the economy, with significant job losses and currency devaluation leading to price rises, modern grocery retailers fared relatively well. While current value growth was not as high as in 2020, current value…

While value sales are still low, mobile e-commerce again registered the highest current value of any retailer channel in 2021. This was largely driven by online third party food delivery companies such as Glovo and Wolt. While online grocery sales…

In 2021, there was an increase in the current value sales of health and beauty specialist retailers. Value sales of beauty retailers recovered, as outlets reopened after several months of mandated closure in the previous year. Pharmacies, too,…

The war in Ukraine has impacted grocery retailing in Georgia with inflation contributing to price increases across the category. Georgia’s growing consumer base in 2022 has added further impetus to retail value growth. Georgia has been a popular…

In 2021, e-commerce again registered double-digit value growth, albeit at a lower rate than in the previous year. While e-commerce had been growing strongly over the review period, COVID-19 gave it an extra boost, as consumers turned to online…

Although value sales through direct selling are low in Georgia, they showed a slight increase in 2022. There is a shift away from this channel due to growing competition from online players, which provide a greater assortment of products and the…

Apparel was the worst affected retailer from COVID-19, with value sales falling by about a fifth. Outlets were closed for several months during 2020 and only a few outlets were in a position to offer e-commerce. Several brands became bankrupt,…