SBWire

Energy drinks in China experienced a surge in popularity over the review period and represents huge potential to attract more players to enter. Since Qili of Hangzhou Wahaha Group was successfully introduced in energy drinks in 2012, Fujian Dali Food Co Ltd followed by launching a new kind of energy drinks product, Hi-Tiger, in April 2013. The successive new product launches have brought more attention to the energy drinks industry and spurred its rapid growth. Over the review period, the proportion of energy drinks within the total soft drinks industry continued to grab value and volume shares with significant increases although it was from a small base.

Demand for compact system cameras is increasing amongst consumers due to their portability thanks to their small size and light weight. Many compact system cameras also offer good photo quality which is sometimes comparable to that offered by SLR cameras. As a result, many consumers are trading up from fixed lens cameras to compact system cameras.

We anticipate that Oman's water sector will remain active for the duration of our five-year forecast period to 2018 , with a series of projects across production, distribution and wastewater treatment likely to keep investors attracted to this stable market in the Middle East. Muscat faces a challenge in the form of rising demand outstripping existing supply; and increased production combined with network efficiency savings are likely to be a key area of focus for the authorities. W ater shortages highlight the desert country's major challenge. Our forecast for water consumption to spike in 2014 - with growth of 13.5% - does not bode well .

Hot drinks vending continued to be the main product category to contribute to the sales of vending in Romania, while packaged foods increased considerably from 2010 to 2013 to reach RON7.5 million. Vending remained underdeveloped both in terms of product range and number of machines, while sales hit a total of RON54 million in 2013.

As the valerian root was recognised as an herbal remedy with approved medical effects in 2011 by the Norwegian Medicines Agency, the growth rate of calming and sleeping increased. Still, consumers seemed to use other alternative solutions to fall asleep, consume minerals such as magnesium or combination dietary supplements.

Medium & Heavy Trucks in Canada industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the Canada medium & heavy trucks market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.

Encountering the shrinkage in market demand in Thailand, brand manufacturers in adult mouth care were reluctant to create stronger dynamics of product development. Today more Thai consumers are enjoying improved oral hygiene with nutritious food in parallel with fast-paced innovation in dental care with more frequent dental check-ups, resulting in the downward tendency of demand for adult mouth care during the review period.

Industry Dynamics and Competitive Landscape in the US Non-Life Insurance Industry to 2017: Market Profile is the result of extensive research into the non life insurance segment in the United States, covering its dynamics and competitive landscape.It provides insights on the market size and forecast of the segment and the personal accident, travel and health product categories. This report also provides an overview of the leading companies in the segment, along with details of the strategic initiatives undertaken.

Despite a declining birth rate in Tunisia, nappies/diapers/pants are still considered a necessity. The rise of living standards and increasing awareness of hygiene and health, such as avoiding infections and rashes, enabled nappies/diapers/pants to achieve a good performance in volume and value terms in Tunisia in 2013. Additionally, wider distribution of such products in the key distribution channels impacted positively on the overall performance in 2013.

The G8 Trucks industry guide provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The guide also contains descriptions of the leading companies including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market.

In comparison to the previous four years of the review period, growth of current value sales in 2013 was significant, with 1% positive growth compared to negative growth since 2009. However, this growth does not come out of rebounding disposable household incomes; volume sales were approximately the same or weaker. The growth comes from price hikes for basic food products like bread. The inflation rate in Croatia frantically oscillated between 1% and 5%, depending on the month.

Global Light Trucks industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the Global light trucks market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.

Hotels & Motels in Japan industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market size (value and volume 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the Japan hotels & motels market. Includes market size and segmentation data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.

Due to the hectic lifestyle triggered by the rise in cost of living in major cities, Thai consumers continued to choose OTC drugs for self-medication to cure minor ailments rather than queuing for treatment in hospitals and clinics. Thanks to the rich sources of information about healthcare in cyberspace and advertisements of brands in the mass media, Thai consumers are encouraged to use OTC drugs to cure basic symptoms without consultation by doctors. The intake of vitamins and dietary...

In line with our optimism towards the Chinese healthcare sector, many multinational pharmaceutical firms continue to record healthy double-digit revenue growth in Q114, despite the economic slowdown. Given the attractiveness of the Chinese pharmaceutical market (due to its ageing population, increasingly personal wealth and government support for healthcare), we expect continued investments from foreign investors into the pharmaceutical and healthcare sector.

We remain positive about the Pakistani economy, emphasising the strength of the recovery, the beneficial impact of IMF-supported reform initiatives, measures to overhaul the energy sector, and the upcoming privatisation programme. We are maintaining our existing growth outlook - GDP estimated to grow by 3.4% in fiscal year 2013-14 and forecast to accelerate to 4.0% in 2014/15, but believe that risks have tipped somewhat to the upside.

New Cars in United Arab Emirates industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value and volume 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the United Arab Emirates new cars market. Includes market size data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.

Canada has one of the highest rates of internet penetration in the world. According to Statistics Canada, over 80% of Canadian households in metropolitan areas and over 70% of Canadian households in rural areas have access to the internet. Additionally, according to the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC), in 2012, fixed and mobile broadband was available to 99% of Canadian households. In the same year, 78% of Canadians subscribed to high-speed internet service. Furthermore, 81% of Canadians subscribed to a wireless service, of which 52% used smartphones, tablets and other advanced handheld devices. Additionally, according to CRTC, the percentage of households with download speed of at least 5 Mbps increased from 54% in 2011 to 62% in 2012.

Westernisation and urbanisation, coupled with an increase in the middle-aged population, were the greatest driving forces behind grocery retailers in Cameroon in 2013. Those aged 15-64-years-old, being the largest age bracket, are also those with the most adapted consumption styles. Consequently, falling inflation, coupled with increasing disposable incomes for many Cameroonians as a result of new jobs and higher salaries, strongly contributed to the growth in retail sales in 2013. In addition, more consumers continued to be economically empowered to purchase grocery items from stores as opposed to only basic food items from open markets and roadside sellers, thereby boosting retail sales in modern channels, including supermarkets and food/drink/tobacco specialists.

Pharmaceuticals in South Korea industry profile provides top-line qualitative and quantitative summary information including: market share, market size (value 2009-13, and forecast to 2018). The profile also contains descriptions of the leading players including key financial metrics and analysis of competitive pressures within the market. Essential resource for top-line data and analysis covering the South Korea pharmaceuticals market. Includes market size data, textual and graphical analysis of market growth trends, leading companies and macroeconomic information.

The economic recovery enabled microwaves to see a boom thanks to the replacement market. Competition was fierce between key players. Latest innovation and price strategies remained essential to the performance of microwaves in volume terms. Additionally, price competition triggered value sales of microwaves, attracting consumers and encouraging them to replace their previous appliance. As a result, microwaves performed well in value and volume terms in 2013.

Surface care continued to face stiff competition from bleach as a cheap alternative in 2013. Surface care products encountered some restrictions on growth due to high retail prices, in comparison to bleach. These products are chiefly purchased by middle- to high-income consumers who are interested in quality products and ease of use. Despite this, surface care registered volume and value growth in 2013.

The market entry of UK department store retailer Debenhams in December 2012 was the big story for the channel. The 2,800 sq m single outlet in the country is run by Canopus Investments EOOD, a Bulgarian registered company owned by a British businessman, which also holds franchise rights for Croatia and Serbia. Canopus Investments indicated that a second Debenhams store may be opened in the capital Sofia in the near future and that opportunities in other towns are being considered. However, given the present difficult economic and political environment in Bulgaria, it seems more likely that the second Debenhams store in the Balkans will open in the Croatian capital Zagreb instead.

Prepaid cards continues to perform better than almost any other category in consumer finance, with retail value growth of 15% in 2013. Open loop gift cards as well as employee reward programmes were the major source of growth in 2013. Issuers and operators continue to seek out new niche growth opportunities as card payment penetration continues in Australia. Key growth areas include foreign currency cards, employee rewards programmes and government payments.

Direct selling grew marginally in 2013 to be valued at A$1.4 billion. Growth remains muted as leading players such as Avon struggle to create a strong value proposition to consumers. Direct sellers rely on a network of representatives to fuel value sales growth and with unemployment in Australia comparatively low by international standards, players are struggling to recruit new representatives. Further, the renewed efforts by leading retailers such as Woolworths and Wesfarmers in beauty and personal care have increased pressure on beauty and personal care direct sellers, as these larger retailers are able to offer more significant discounts as well as convenience due to their comprehensive network of retail outlets.