Direct selling in Australia returned to modest growth in 2025, with value sales reaching AUD1,660 million, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. While the channel is still operating below its pre-pandemic scale, 2025 sales showed signs of meaningful recovery, supported by improvements in digital selling tools, category diversification and stronger performance from high-engagement brands with loyal user bases. Consumer confidence also rebounded slightly, providing more support to discreti

Retail in Australia showed notable resilience in 2025, delivering a 5% increase in sales to AUD394,758 million, benefiting from improved consumer confidence and easing inflation. The environment is attractive for players able to adapt, as the landscape rewards operational efficiency, digital innovation, and sharp value propositions amidst ongoing cost pressures and evolving shopper expectations. Success hinges on investing in omnichannel strategies, expanding private label portfolios that comb

Appliances and electronics specialists in Australia delivered steady growth in 2025, rising 2% to a retail value of AUD21,645 million. Growth in Australia outpaced several mature retail markets, where inflationary pressures and housing market uncertainty continued to suppress discretionary spending. The strongest momentum came from the rapid adoption of AI-enabled devices, such as AI-powered laptops, wearables like the Oura Ring, and smart eyewear exemplified by Meta’s AI-driven Ray-Ban glasses.

In 2025, vending in Australia continued its post-pandemic recovery with current value sales of AUD827 million, rising 1% on the previous year. This performance was underpinned by a resurgence in consumer mobility, a return to higher foot traffic in public spaces, and widespread acceptance of cashless payment systems. The rise of smart vending, featuring touchscreens, contactless payments, and remote inventory monitoring, played a pivotal role in attracting consumers, particularly in transit hubs

Apparel and footwear specialists in Australia delivered modest but steady current value growth in 2025, reaching AUD17,095million, reflecting a 3% increase from the previous year. The uptick in 2025 can be attributed to improved consumer confidence and a focus on value, durability, and seasonless wardrobe staples, as consumers responded to ongoing cost-of-living pressures. Retailers faced rising rents, utilities, and labour inflation, which placed pressure on margins and necessitated disciplined

Discounters maintained robust growth in 2025, reaching AUD13,824 million, with growth moderating to 4% from the exceptionally strong 10% rise in 2024. The previous year saw a surge in value-seeking households flocking to Aldi as consumer backlash intensified against perceived price gouging at supermarkets Coles and Woolworths. In 2025, Coles and Woolworths both invested heavily in sharper pricing, private label management and more compelling value campaigns, leading to stronger competition for

Supermarkets in Australia achieved steady current value growth of 3% in 2025, reaching AUD114,143 million. This performance was notable against the backdrop of a slowing Australian economy, with cost-of-living pressures forcing Australian households to prioritise essential spending. The supermarket landscape became increasingly competitive following the 2024 price-gouging scrutiny, triggering more aggressive pricing strategies from major players, particularly Coles, whose operational efficienci

In 2025, hypermarkets in Australia experienced sluggish growth, with current value sales rising from AUD15,620 million in 2024 to AUD15,810 million, representing a 1% increase. Overall, consumer confidence remained subdued, with hypermarkets facing the twin challenges of cautious household spending and rising operating costs. Kmart Group and Big W delivered mixed results as value-conscious consumers reshaped demand across discretionary categories.

Convenience retailers in Australia registered steady value growth in 2025, with total sales rising 3% to AUD14,177 million. This result is particularly notable given the broader backdrop of rising living costs and weak consumer confidence. In the face of persistent inflation, convenience retailers sustained momentum by capitalising on impulse purchases and investing in technology-led operational upgrades.

Small local grocers in Australia recorded steady yet modest current value growth in 2025, reaching AUD9,379 million, which represented a 2% year-on-year increase. This performance followed a period of volatility in the broader retail environment and reflected stability as cost-of-living pressures began to ease. Sales were resilient compared to some regional and global trends where large-scale modern retailers and discounters have exerted significant competitive pressure. Small local grocers i

Health and beauty specialists in Australia delivered strong current value growth in 2025, with sales reaching AUD21.7 billion and year-on-year growth of 9%. This performance significantly outpaced many other discretionary spending areas, as Australian consumers continued to prioritise self-care, functional wellness, and accessible indulgence in their purchasing decisions. Despite ongoing cost-of-living pressures, emotional and value-driven consumption underpinned demand, with consumers turning t

Home products specialists in Australia recorded steady value growth in 2025, with current value sales reaching AUD31,906 million, up 2% from the previous year. A rebound in small-scale home improvement and refresh projects underpinned performance. Unlike some global and regional peers facing sharper economic headwinds, Australian retailers benefited from ongoing demand for affordable, functional upgrades, with a focus on practical spending amid prolonged cost-of-living pressures. Australia’s rea

General merchandise stores in Australia delivered steady growth in 2025, with retail value rising to AUD6,941 million, reflecting 2% year-on-year growth compared to 2024. This performance was underpinned by an improving economy, with real GDP growth reaching 2% and inflation moderating to 3%, which together contributed to easing cost-of-living pressures and a gradual recovery in consumer confidence. Households cautiously resumed selective discretionary spending, especially in areas such as home

Retail e-commerce in Australia witnessed a robust performance in 2025, maintaining strong momentum following a double-digit rise in 2024. Current value sales reached AUD80,336 million, marking 11% growth over the previous year, and substantially outpacing in-store retail.

Digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in Indonesia demonstrated resilient momentum in 2025 with further value growth, remaining highly competitive relative to regional peers despite a deceleration caused by economic and political headwinds. The appeal of this environment is underpinned by high digital connectivity, with 199 million internet users and near-universal mobile and broadband access, supporting both transaction volume and innovation adoption. Brands seeking to succeed must ad

In 2025 digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in South Korea achieve robust value growth, outperforming most regional and global counterparts due to near-universal mobile and broadband penetration and deeply integrated digital infrastructure. The environment is highly attractive for both established and new entrants, with competition intensifying as integrated digital platforms offer bundled services, aggressive promotional strategies, and a frictionless mobile-first experience that ap

Digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in Japan continued to deliver robust expansion in 2025, underpinned by rapid advances in mobile-first, interactive commerce and a strong consumer shift towards digital service bookings. Growth was particularly dynamic in travel e-commerce and mobility e-commerce, highlighting the attractiveness of service-driven opportunities despite retail e-commerce’s more modest value increase. The environment was shaped by near-universal mobile and broadband p

Digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in Germany in 2025 registered solid value growth, signalling a highly attractive environment characterised by widespread digital infrastructure, rapid consumer adoption, and evolving expectations for convenience, trust, and ethical standards. Growth was driven by the dominance of mobile-first experiences, with app-based m-commerce outpacing other channels due to high smartphone penetration, advanced personalisation features, and robust security, wh

Digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in Australia demonstrated robust momentum in 2025, reinforcing its status as a dynamic and attractive landscape for investment and innovation. The sustained expansion is anchored in the high uptake of digital devices and near-universal broadband connectivity, which support increasingly sophisticated shopper journeys and facilitate rapid adoption of new payment methods and digital-first retail models. The competitive environment is undergoing accel

Digital shopper (e-commerce goods and services) in the UK delivered a strong performance in 2025, propelled by high broadband penetration and mobile-first behaviours. The environment remains highly attractive, underpinned by a digitally mature population with 99% broadband access and over 93% household mobile ownership, enabling rapid uptake of innovations such as AI-driven recommendations, app-based journeys, and real-time social commerce. Brands seeking success must prioritise frictionless mob

Direct selling recorded modest value growth in 2025, reaching SAR604 million. The channel remains small but stable, complementing rather than directly competing with mainstream retail and e-commerce in Saudi Arabia. Overall value growth stood at 3% year-on-year, supported by a favourable macroeconomic environment, including real GDP growth of 4%, inflation remaining contained at 2%, and consumer expenditure rising to 48% of GDP. Consumer confidence also remained resilient in 2025, with the index

Appliances and electronics specialists record sales of SAR 2.23 billion in 2025, representing a modest year-on-year increase of 4%. Despite this growth, the market reflects the characteristics of a mature retail channel under pressure from evolving consumer behaviour and cautious discretionary spending. Outlet numbers increase slightly, while selling space remains broadly stable, highlighting limited opportunities for physical retail expansion. This performance contrasts with real GDP growth of

Retail in Saudi Arabia is demonstrating resilience and dynamism, with value sales expanding to SAR436.12 billion in 2025, up 5% year-on-year, underpinned by robust non-oil economic activity and increasing urbanisation. The environment is marked by intensifying competition and innovation, as both established and digital-first operators seek to capture rising demand for convenience, value, and omnichannel experiences. This landscape remains attractive due to ongoing government investment, a buoyan

Hypermarkets in Saudi Arabia registered steady value growth in 2025, reaching SAR 21.56 billion, up 5% from the previous year. This performance was achieved against a backdrop of ongoing cost-of-living pressures, with households increasingly seeking to maximise value on monthly or bi-weekly stock-up trips. Dynamic banners such as Hyper Panda, Lulu, Danube, and Tamimi are expanding their outlets and selling space, capitalising on demand for bulk staples, promotions, and larger pack sizes. While t