As consumers grow more cautious, understanding shifts in global income and expenditure is essential for future-focused strategic planning. Businesses must adapt to evolving purchasing power and spending patterns to uncover actionable growth opportunities. With robust income gains anticipated across emerging markets, particularly in Asia, proactive strategies will be crucial.

A number of Latin American countries have been grappling with economic problems in recent years, with inflation still raging in Argentina in 2024, for example, negatively impacting the hot drinks performance in this country. Overall, this meant that the regional hot drinks market was stagnating in retail volume terms in 2024, despite positive growth being seen in Brazil. As inflation eases across Latin America, positive volume and value growth is expected from 2025.

The group of major emerging economies, BRICS, has seen a rapid rise in economic power during recent decades. As the group expanded further to include more members in recent years, its growing economic and demographic influence is reshaping global trade, investment and consumer market dynamics. This report explores the implications of BRICS expansion for the global economic and consumer landscapes, highlighting key risks and opportunities for businesses.

The sales losses recorded in 2020 due to the pandemic were followed by a period of growth for many markets. However, economic difficulties in some countries have also been negatively impacting performances in recent years, most notably in Argentina in 2024. As inflation worries ease, countries in Latin America are expected to be recording positive growth in real value terms in the coming years, even if price sensitivity continues to be seen among some consumer segments.

The Latin American alcoholic drinks market quickly recovered from 2020’s pandemic-induced drop in sales, but, with the difficult economic circumstances in a number of countries in the region, including high inflation, sales went into decline in 2023. However, an immediate return to positive growth is expected in 2024, with health trends driving strong sales in non-alcoholic beer, and spirit-based RTDs also expected to be a dynamic performer over 2023-2028.

New manufacturing hubs are driving supply chain diversification efforts. However, these countries still depend on imports of Chinese components, making supply chains longer and more complex. Challenges like insufficient production capacity and lack of supporting industries continue to impede supply chain diversification. Despite this, the situation could improve over the next decade due to large FDI inflows and investments in trade infrastructure.

Consumer electronics has had some difficult times in recent years in Latin America, with the pandemic hitting sales in some countries and the inflationary and uncertain geopolitical environment then impacting performances in the post-COVID-19 period. However, sales were increasing in the two biggest regional markets, Brazil and Mexico, in 2024, helping offset the deep decline in Argentina. All the main markets are currently expected to see positive growth over the forecast period.

Connected and autonomous vehicles are becoming more widespread, reflecting the automotive industry's digital and technological shift. This report sizes the autonomous vehicle market, specifying the countries and brands embracing driverless technologies. It also assesses consumer perceptions, expectations and attitudes regarding connected and autonomous technologies. Finally, the report examines the main industries poised to take advantage of the shift to connected and autonomous cars.

Fragrances are gaining relevance among consumers experiencing anxiety and looking for emotional wellness. Fragrances, however, face many challenges, as they compete with aromatherapy and other sensory options. Fragrances are closely associated with emotions, but there is room for innovation in neuroscience-based fragrances. Beyond claims, fragrances’ role in emotional wellbeing is about the revival of memories, nostalgia and gourmand scents able to trigger positive emotions.

Skin health positioning in fragrances is an under-penetrated space. Trending claims address skin sensitivity, but consumers are likely to demand more substantiated, specific claims. Skin health claims are significant drivers of the fragrance consumer journey in Western Europe and Southeast Asia, while consumers in North America and the Middle East and Africa are also receptive. Emerging formats make up a small piece of the market, but are well-poised to grow as players look to expand product var

Sales of consumer appliances recorded healthy growth in Latin America in 2023, after the slowdown seen a year earlier in the face of the difficult economic backdrop in Brazil, the region's biggest market. Although the political and economic situation in a number of countries remains uncertain, demand for small appliances in particular remains strong. The coming years are expected to see further solid growth in the Latin American consumer appliances market.

Cigarettes recorded modest volume growth in Latin America in 2023, although value growth was higher, driven by rising prices. E-vapour and heated tobacco products continued to record strong growth, although the development of these categories is still being held back by the ban on legal sales in Brazil and Argentina. However, in the latter country, there are signs that the Milei government is looking to legalise sales of next-generation tobacco products.

The briefing explores structural drivers of inflation and their impact on the global economy and business environment. Factors such as demographics changes, globalisation reset, decarbonisation, AI revolution and higher debt levels would add to the higher price pressures. Companies will need to monitor and adapt to the changing macro environment.

Ecosystem partnerships is a critical factor for rapid scaling of leading digital wallets globally. Key usage factors are convenience, enhanced security and wide merchant acceptance. The short term focus includes cross-border transactions and card-to-QR payment, while mid-to-long term priorities cover personalisation and biometric-powered payment without phones. The report also identifies key wallets-as-a-service providers for building digital wallets, recommendations are given for vendor search.

The briefing explores trends in the global structure amid rising economic and geopolitical uncertainty. As global economy evolves, countries and companies will need to find ways to diversify the supply of critical components. This will require establishing new trade routes and striking the right balance between operational security and cost efficiency.

Pet care growth rates spiked during the pandemic in Latin America, helped by consumers adopting pets for company during lockdowns. In spite of high inflation rates in the region, growth has remained strong post-pandemic, albeit down on the 2020-2021 period, with the premiumisation trend slowing slightly in some countries. Continued expansion of pet populations as well as the pet humanisation trend will help drive further positive growth for pet care in the region over the forecast period.

The tissue and hygiene market was again recording positive growth in real value terms in Latin America in 2023. Nappies/diapers/pants is underperforming, with birth rates in some countries declining, and has even lost its spot as the biggest category regionally to toilet paper. Retail adult incontinence was seeing dynamic growth in 2023, helped by growing awareness of the condition and the products as well the taboo surrounding this issue continuing to diminish.

This briefing assesses global B2B market trends in 2024 and beyond. It is geared towards consumer goods companies that are selling into the B2B market, and provides insights into how B2B markets are developing, which countries and channels to target, as well as how to navigate the potential challenges and what is next for B2B.

Positive natural change will drive population growth across Latin America, as net migration remains negative. Ageing will remain a key trend, influenced by the falling birth rate and rising life expectancy. Urbanisation will continue, placing pressure on infrastructure while urban consumers become a key market. As the population grows and the middle class rises, Latin America will be an increasingly attractive consumer market. However, poverty will continue to challenge the region up to 2040.

This briefing provides a global perspective of the key trends occurring in cities over 2018 -2023. It goes on to provide forecast data and insights for cities over 2024-2040, covering areas such as the economic, population and consumer spending changes. The briefing also lists and examines the five top trends shaping cities, namely digital and connected cities; accelerating climate action; strategic urban planning; seamless and clean mobility; and cities of the future.

This briefing examines how the chicken and poultry commodities perform globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply. The report also provides data and analysis on chicken price dynamics and trends in the key meat-consuming industries.

After the spike in demand seen in Latin America in 2020 due to the pandemic, with more time spent at home and heightened cleaning regimes, much weaker demand was seen in the next two years. However, home care enjoyed a stronger performance in 2023, in spite of the high inflation impacting the region. Positive growth is expected over the forecast period, when increasing usage of social media for marketing and communication purposes is expected to continue being seen.

This report examines the competitive landscape of the shared mobility industry, highlighting the leading brands across key segments including ride hailing and car sharing. It also identifies the business strategies being employed by brands to drive competitive strength.

This briefing examines how the commodity market for beef is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of supply and consumption. The report also provides data and analysis of beef price dynamics, and key meat consuming industries.