OUTLOOK

Brands and retailers are feeling the combined pressures of continued interest rate hikes and unrelenting inflation.  Regardless of the official numbers, food prices in most key markets have increased to alarming levels. It’s no longer only the poorer demographics that are feeling the pain.  

Now middle class and even wealthier consumers are making much more considered shopping choices. That’s spilling over into reduced or more mindful spending on non-food items.

Thus while the business sector is pushing back against rate increases that are raising borrowing costs, Central banks are prioritizing getting consumer inflation under control.