Thailand

Staple foods in Thailand is seeing an overall positive performance, in both value and volume terms. That said, the category continues to be affected by inflationary pressures which are pushing up prices, alongside the cost-of-living crisis which is…

Thai consumers have been spending more on credit cards in 2023 in line with an increase in the consumer confidence index and a marked improvement in the Thai economy. Expenditure on various products and services, including shopping, restaurants,…

Thailand consumer lending remains robust in 2023, with double-digit growth rates in gross lending as the category continues to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in private consumption and the revival in tourism has led to an upturn in…

Womenswear in Thailand is seeing a shift in demand towards multi-purpose products. Although fashion remains the key concern when people are purchasing womenswear, consumers are also showing more concern with regard to the item’s functionality. This…

Aligned with an increased focus on the importance of health and wellness among Thai consumers, there has been an increase in people taking part in workout routines and exercise activities. In 2023, sportswear brands have continued to leverage this…

The packaging unit volumes in confectionery declined in 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic sharpened the focus of Thai consumers on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet for general wellbeing and a strong immune system. In addition, COVID-19…

Retail sales of bookings continued to grow strongly in constant value terms in 2023 as they edged even closer to pre-pandemic levels. While offline booking saw a strong recovery, online booking still accounted for more than two thirds of retail…

Retail sales of imaging devices continued to decline in volume terms in 2023, due to cannibalisation from smartphone cameras. While the quality of a smartphone camera is typically inferior to a dedicated digital camera or camcorder, for most local…

In response to the revival of eat-in dining, foodservice players resumed their outlet expansion strategies in 2023. As in the previous year, retail was the most dynamic location in terms of growth in number of outlets, as operators looked to…

NRT smoking cessation aids remained one of the smallest categories within consumer health in Thailand in 2023. Consumers are only able to purchase these products from drugstores/parapharmacies or pharmacies, as they have to be dispensed by a…

Olive oil is seeing a return to popularity, with a rebound in robust retail volume growth, thanks to ongoing health and wellness trends and the fact olive oil is perceived to be a healthy product. The increasing popularity of Western cuisines, which…

As of 1 October 2022, Thailand fully lifted all pandemic-related border requirements. To enter the country, international travellers no longer needed to show proof of vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 test. This resulted in a strong recovery for…

Wearable electronics continued to see positive growth in volume terms in 2023, albeit at a slower rate than the previous two years. This was driven by a number of factors, not least the health and wellness trend, which was facilitated by COVID-19.…

Retail volume sales of portable players remained static in 2023, as portable media players, epitomised by the iPod, continued on their path of decline. With the rise of smartphones, consumers now have access to various media applications that provide…

Sugar confectionery is considered as a very mature category in Thailand, with a large number of brands and a fairly fragmented competitive landscape beyond the leading names. Namely, Halls (Mondelez International (Thailand) Co Ltd) takes the lead…

Thailand has returned to normality in 2023, following the restrictions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Consumers have returned to out-of-home, on-the-go lifestyles, along with a large number of tourists visiting the country. As such, this revival…

RTDs returned to volume growth in 2022 following two years of significant decline due to the markedly changed conditions of the COVID-19 crisis. However, sales remained well below the levels seen immediately prior to the pandemic. Despite the…

With the revival of pre-pandemic lifestyles in 2023, including the return of individuals to their physical workplaces and social activities, many Thais looked to shed the excess weight they had gained during the pandemic. This helped to drive strong…

Health-conscious consumers in Thailand are increasingly opting for plant-based cooking ingredients and meals, further driving the shift towards plant-based diets. Plant-based ready meals is an emerging niche in Thailand but perceived as a lighter and…

Despite rising prices, retail sales of coffee saw modest volume growth in 2023, continuing the trend of the previous year. While many consumers struggled with the rising cost of living, amid a slower than expected economic recovery, there nonetheless…