The consumer goods domain is one of the most dynamic sectors of the global economy as it is directly affected by the daily consumption patterns of common households. In the past few years, as the volume of international trade has increased, the scope of the consumer goods and retail sectors has broadened considerably. The rapid pace of industrialization and urbanization has increased the disposable incomes of people globally, which has led to a surge in demand for a wide range of products and services. The companies operating in this domain, in turn, have launched innovative products that address the needs of the public.
Furthermore, certain leading players in the sector have established alliances in the form of partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions to fully capitalize on the opportunities offered in the landscape. Owing to these developments, along with technological advancements, the consumer goods domain has witnessed substantial growth in the second quarter of 2024. Allied Market Research has documented these developments in detail and provided a comprehensive overview of how the sector is likely to evolve in the coming period.
To expand their footprint globally and to cater to a larger customer base, many leading companies across the globe are entering into M&A agreements with other businesses. For instance, in May 2024, Oil-Dri Corporation of America, a sorbet mineral manufacturing company, announced the acquisition of Ultra Pet Company, Inc., a silica-gel-based crystal cat litter supplier. Oil-Dri Corporation released a statement after the acquisition stating that the main purpose behind this alliance was to expand the company’s presence globally and further improve its market share.
In May 2024, lululemon, a sports apparel company, announced the acquisition of Lululemon Mexico operations, along with 15 other Lululemon retail locations from its franchise partners. The acquisition is expected to create a solid foundation for the company in the LAMEA region, especially Mexico, and will help the brand build its loyal customer base in the long run. Also, the integration of local operators in the company will help Lululemon understand the local culture, demographic conditions, and socioeconomic factors in Mexico comprehensively.
In June 2024, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, a full-service hotels and resorts company, announced the acquisition of Graduate Hotels, a US-based hospitality company, and the NoMad brand, a leading player in the travel accommodation industry headquartered in London. Hilton Hotels stated that the acquisitions were made keeping in mind the increasing demand from its customers and the need for the company to strengthen its position in the lifestyle category in the near future.
Along with mergers and acquisitions, certain companies are partnering with companies in other sectors to take advantage of their expertise and pool the resources together to take a competitive lead in the industry. For example, in April 2024, the Coca-Cola Company, a carbonated soft drink manufacturer, announced that it had signed a partnership agreement with Microsoft Corp., a multinational IT company. The collaboration is aimed at helping Coca-Cola Company’s transition to the use of advanced technology for improving its operations and various business functions. Under this partnership, both companies will develop generative AI use cases using applications like Azure OpenAI Service and Copilot for Microsoft 365.
In May 2024, Huggies®, an American brand specializing in baby diapers and wipes, announced that it had developed an innovative product for countering rash and infection caused by baby diapers. Huggies® Skin Essentials™ diaper is an advanced baby diaper with SkinProtect™ liner technology which reduces the mess caused by ordinary diapers and thus protects baby skin from different types of rashes. The innovation is expected to help the company address the demands of its customers across the globe.
In June 2024, Albertsons Companies, a grocery company based in the US, declared a partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc., a multinational transportation company. Under this collaboration, a food rescue initiative was launched which aims to create a reliable system to deliver surplus food to its neighbors in need. Initially, the program was kickstarted on a pilot basis in Washington, D.C., and has now been launched in Denver, Chicago, and Boston to reduce food waste and insecurity in these regions.
The second quarter of 2024 has witnessed some of the most unique, creative, and ingenious products and services being launched by multinational companies as well as new entrants in the sector. In April 2024, for instance, Dove, a personal care brand, announced the expansion of its Men+Care’s product portfolio with the launch of whole-body deodorant, which is suitable for private parts, feet, underarms, etc. This innovative product is expected to play a huge role in the company’s rise in the men personal care industry.
In May 2024, Samsung Electronics, a leading consumer electronics company, announced the latest additions to its MICRO LED portfolio, by launching MS1C (114” class screen size) and MS1B (89”, 101” class). The company stated that the two new products are specifically designed to improve the home theatre experience with a unique range of colors, brightness, and crisp picture quality. The product features a MICRO AI processor which uses AI technology to provide 4K resolution images to the viewer.
In May 2024, Procter & Gamble, an American consumer goods company, reported the expansion of its laundry care product portfolio by launching Downy Professional Fabric Softener and Tide Professional Commercial Laundry Detergent. The company released a statement after the launch saying that both these products are suitable for both domestic and industrial purposes. These ready-to-add dry detergent and fabric softeners have witnessed huge demand from various end-use industries like hospitality, salons, restaurants, healthcare, etc.
Many leading players in the consumer goods domain, along with research institutes and scientific organizations, have invested heavily in R&D activities which have led to certain technological advancements in this sector. For example, in April 2024, Pride Mobility®, a renowned manufacturer of mobility products, notified the launch of Go Go Elite Traveller® 2, a 4-Wheel mobility scooter. With a top speed of 4.23 mph and a battery capacity of 10.4 miles per charge, the iTurn technology patented by Pride Mobility allows the user to take a comfortable ride with smooth maneuverability.
In May 2024, Ontex Group NV, a personal care product company, announced the launch of Stop&Lock Anti-Leak technology designed specifically for mini-sized baby diapers. The company has claimed that this new technology provides four times the protection offered by conventional diapers, thus reducing the need to change nappies frequently due to leakage incidents. Such innovative products are predicted to augment the growth rate of the baby diapers market in the years to come.
Again, in May 2024, Graco®, a leading fluid management products supplier, set forth the launch of two advanced baby care products- SmartSense™ Soothing Swing and SmartSense™ Soothing Bassinet. The products are specifically designed to respond to baby’s cries with motions that emulate parents’ natural soothing gestures. The main purpose of launching these products is to provide comfort and joyous moments for the baby and the family by offering gentle vibrations and soothing, calming music.
Apart from mergers and acquisitions, product launches, and technological advancements, some other developments and trends have also positively impacted the domain in the second quarter of 2024. For instance, in May 2024, The Coca-Cola Company announced that it was planning to increase its investment by about $175 million over the next five years in Kenya to achieve its intended growth targets. Naturally, this investment is expected to improve its scope of operations substantially and increase its customer base across the globe in the coming period.
Similarly, in May 2024, Nestlé Purina, a subsidiary of Nestlé Corporation specializing in pet food, disclosed that it was expanding its pet food production in Mexico by investing about CHF 200 million in its factory in Silao, Mexico. The pet food plant in Silao is the most important production unit for the company in the region and this investment is expected to modernize the manufacturing facilities in the factory significantly. Over the past few years, Nestlé Purina has invested more than CHF 700 million in its Silao plant which has helped the company to establish its dominance in the region.
In May 2024, Nike, a leading sports apparel and footwear market player, gave out that it had partnered with the Olympic Refugee Foundation to provide refugees and displaced people access to sports and increase their participation in tournaments and competitions. As part of this partnership, Nike signed Cindy Ngamba, a boxer, to adhere to the company’s commitment to sponsor a member of the IOC Refugee Olympic Team. Nike released a statement saying that the deal reflects the company’s policy to create an equitable and inclusive world wherein sports are accessible to all.
Right from grocery products to tourism and hospitality services, different industries in the consumer goods sector have experienced a major boost in Q2 2024. In the post-pandemic era, consumer goods companies have upgraded their production capabilities to address the demands of their customers more efficiently. The adoption of advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and big data analysis has also played a huge role in transforming the consumer goods domain. Along with this, mergers, acquisitions, product launches, and technological advancements as those mentioned above have contributed to the sector’s rise in the second quarter of 2024.
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