Retailing

Generation Z, comprising one-fifth of the global population, is poised to wield significant consumer influence. However, their polarized behaviours toward social activism, technology, and spending present challenges for businesses. This report…

The vending channel experienced healthy growth in current value terms in the US in 2023, and also maintained solid growth in value terms at constant 2023 prices. The continued normalisation of work and mobility routines post-pandemic benefited…

Although supermarkets recorded positive growth in the US in current value terms in 2023, it posted near flat growth at constant 2023 prices. As such, inflation, rather than a higher number of units sold, was behind much of the value gain. In current…

Small local grocers experienced positive growth in current value terms in the US in 2023, although it was one of the lower growth channels within grocery retailers, and decline continued in value terms at constant 2023 prices. Small local grocers in…

In 2022, the annual rate of inflation in the US rose to the highest level recorded in 40 years. As a result, rising costs firmly supplanted the COVID-19 pandemic as US consumers’ foremost concern. With the prices of groceries and petrol rising…

In 2022, as the rate of inflation in the US hit the highest level seen in decades, consumers were forced to look for ways to ration their spending. This had a significant impact on the retail industry, as US residents cut back on purchases of…

Hypermarkets experienced slower current value growth in the US in 2023 than in the previous year. This was largely a response to the still difficult inflationary environment in the country. Many US consumers continued to put off purchases of…

In 2023, home products specialists (which encompasses homewares and home furnishing stores, home improvement and gardening stores, and pet shops and superstores) in the US saw value declines in both current terms and constant terms at 2023 prices.…

Health and beauty specialists in the US saw low current value growth in 2023, but maintained a similar decline to the previous year at constant 2023 prices. Current value growth for the pharmacies channel was almost flat in 2023. This marked the…

In 2023, although general merchandise stores in the US saw slight growth in current value terms, sales continued to decline at constant 2023 prices, driven by department stores. In December 2023, Arkhouse Management, and Brigade Capital Management…

Sales growth slowed for discounters in the US in current value terms in 2023, reflecting a general trend in the grocery retailers space, as inflation led consumers to volume buys and cheaper meal planning. Nonetheless, discounters recorded one of the…

Direct selling continued its declining trend in both value terms at constant 2023 prices and in current value terms for the second year running in the US in 2023. The impressive growth posted by direct selling in 2020 has not been sustained. As a…

As it did for many industries, the pandemic distorted the growth curve for convenience retailers. Following historically high current value growth rates in 2021 and 2022, sales slowed for convenience retailers (which encompasses convenience stores…

In 2023, sales of appliances and electronics specialists in the US declined for a second year running in both current value terms and in value terms at constant 2023 prices. The inflationary environment led consumers to postpone discretionary…

In 2023, current value growth in apparel and footwear specialists slowed for a second year in a row in the US, as demand continued to normalise relative to 2021, and consumers managed through another year of high inflation. This is a bit misleading,…

KioSoft launched KioVend vending machines in Canada in 2023, offering a wide range of ready-to-use snacks and drinks. While most vending machines are sold by aggregators who rely on third parties for payments, KioVend controls all aspects of its…

Supermarkets players in Canada faced some notable challenges in 2023, such as rising prices, a potential recession, high levels of uncertainty, and supply chain disruptions. These factors continue to test the loyalty of Canadian consumers, many of…

Small local grocers were becoming more popular in Canada in 2023, as they offered convenience, variety, and fresh products to urban consumers leading ever more hectic lifestyles. Small format stores allow retailers to adapt to changing consumer…

The retail market in Canada showed remarkable resilience and growth in 2023, despite the challenges posed by the enduring impact of the COVID-19 crisis, the high rate of inflation, and supply chain disruptions. Canadian consumers continued to spend…

The growth of retail e-commerce slowed down in Canada in 2023. However, the channel saw sales continue to rise in both current and constant value terms, with retail e-commerce having become a regular feature in the shopping patterns of a broad range…