South Africa

Consumer Lifestyles offers valuable insights into key consumer attitudes and current thinking, and their impact on purchasing and consumption habits; quantifying behaviours, preferences and motivations, and aligning them with broader trends.

This report visually explores everyday habits and behaviours which reflect consumers' beliefs and values, linking behavioural trends with purchase and consumption habits.

Demand for sunglasses in South Africa was already declining prior to the pandemic. Following the steep drop in volume sales in 2020 due to lockdowns and lack of mobility, demand continues to gradually fall as South Africa’s economy struggles, forcing…

Spectacles in South Africa remains a highly lucrative category, and dominates value sales of overall eyewear in the country. As many South Africans continue to face economic hardship, they are being forced to review their budgets and spend more…

Demand for eyewear in South Africa continues to rise, despite the rising cost of living. Many local consumers are struggling financially and are prioritising certain goods over others. Additionally, South Africans are becoming more strategic in terms…

Demand for contact lenses and solutions in South Africa continues to rise, although in value terms, the category is considerably smaller compared to spectacles. Demand in the country is mainly driven by younger consumers. In South Africa, the wearing…

In 2023, sustainability remained a key focus for consumers in South Africa, leading to growing demand for homewares such as kitchen utensils and other items made from eco-friendly materials. Products such as bamboo utensils and reusable silicone food…

In 2023, value sales growth of home improvement in South Africa remained fairly flat, but some local consumers continued to be invest in their kitchens and bathrooms. Bathroom and kitchen renovations are some of the most popular as these are most…

Value sales of home furnishings in South Africa continued to rise in 2023. However, retailers have shifted to procuring more locally manufactured furniture following the high costs of shipping and supply chain delays. Local and global logistics…

Overall value sales of home and garden in South Africa continued to rise in 2023, despite prevailing economic challenges in the country significantly eroding consumers' disposable incomes. These challenges stemmed primarily from the persistent rise…

Sales of gardening hand tools in South Africa, such as sickles and weed pullers, continued to record current value growth in 2023. This can be attributed to the fact that gardening hand tools make tasks quicker and more efficient, enabling gardeners…

Demand for sun care in South Africa remained stable in 2023 compared to the previous year, but below pre-pandemic levels. This was due to greater competition from hybrid products that offer sun protection properties, thereby reducing the need to…

Since the pandemic, consumers have increasingly focused on skin care in South Africa as part of self-care routines, supporting elevated demand in 2023. Despite tough economic hardships in South Africa, new skin care brands continued to emerge as many…

The value size of premium beauty and personal care in South Africa remained considerably smaller than that of the mass segment in 2023, with the latter also recording a more dynamic growth performance. As many local consumers struggled with the cost…

Demand for oral care in South Africa remained stable in 2023, as this category is deemed essential for maintaining personal health and self-care. However, local consumers also continued to struggle with the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Although…

Demand for men’s grooming in South Africa continued to rise in 2023. Since the pandemic, an increasing number of South African males have started to prioritise their skin care routines, including a greater shift towards using face masks. Men are not…

Sales of mass beauty and personal care in South Africa continued to rise in 2023, with many consumers struggling with the cost of living. Cash-strapped consumers became stricter with their budgets, and reduced their shopping list for their beauty and…

There was a strong emphasis on natural ingredients within hair care in South Africa towards the end of the review period. An increasing number of consumers have moved away from potentially harmful chemicals in their hair care products and are…

Despite recording a positive performance in 2023, demand for fragrances in South Africa remained below pre-pandemic levels. This is because many local consumers continued to face economic pressures and prioritised essential beauty and personal care…

With South African consumers experiencing financial pressures in 2023 as the cost of living in the country increased, they searched for ways to reduce outgoings, including on depilatories. For many consumers, depilatories are essential, as shaving is…