So far this year, interest in e-commerce services in Central American markets has clearly picked up, with Guatemala, El Salvador and Panama recording the largest increases in e-commerce interactions.
Through a system that monitors in real time the changes in the interests and preferences of consumers in Central American countries, developed by the Area of Commercial Intelligence of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project trends in demand in the short and long term, for different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
In recent weeks, interest in the region's markets for electronic equipment, computers and technological services has clearly picked up, with educational software and computer security services being among the most marked trends.
Using a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by CentralAmericaData's Trade Intelligence Unit, it is possible to project short and long term demand trends for the different products, sectors and markets operating in the region.
Interest in food and beverage products has clearly increased in recent weeks in the region's markets, with the trend being more evident in products such as baked goods, soups, liquors, fruits and vegetables, candies and fast food.
Through a system that monitors in real time changes in consumer interests and preferences in Central American countries, developed by the Trade Intelligence Unit of CentralAmericaData, it is possible to project short and long-term demand trends for the different sectors and markets operating in the region.
Adapting spaces in the restaurant area, selling themselves to tourists as a clean and safe establishment, are some of the strategies that hotel sector businessmen plan to apply in order to adjust to the new commercial reality resulting from the health emergency.
The spread of covid-19 has forced health authorities to restrict the mobility of people and to close several establishments, with hotels being one of the most affected.
New health and hygiene protocols in the establishments and the commitment to attract national tourists in an environment where short trips will be preferred, are some of the trends predicted in the new "normality" that will come after the quarantine period.
Given the quarantines decreed by most governments worldwide, it is anticipated that the habits of tourists will change dramatically in the short and medium term, as the crisis of covid-19 will leave consequences among consumers.
Given the rise of online commerce to the detriment of traditional channels, the contact point between customers and brands is packaging, which must meet the demands of consumers, who are increasingly responsible for the environment.
Studies carried out by companies that provide courier services, detail that in a context of booming e-commerce, 90% of companies believe that in the coming years packaging will be more important, in the area of sustainability and in reducing carbon emissions.
Explained by the increase in vertical housing construction, in Guatemala manufacturer’s report that in recent year’s furniture designed for confined spaces has gained popularity and has become a trend in the local market.
Businessmen in the sector agree that since 2015 this trend began to be noticed in the country and some local manufacturers estimate that the demand for compact furniture has increased 40% in the last four years.
Due to the fact that preference for "vegetable" or plant-based meat is growing quickly in major global markets, food industry business groups have begun to make investments to meet this novel and growing market niche.
Foods that were once considered the exclusive consumption of vegans or vegetarians are now becoming popular, and in the case of the United States, in supermarkets it is increasingly normal to see meat products made from plants.
Because wood is being demanded for different types of use, opportunities have been identified to design and manufacture several differentiated products with high marketing potential.
According to Guatemalan businessmen in the sector, wood is no longer being used only for the manufacture of furniture or decoration of residences, but is also being demanded in corporate spaces such as offices and work environments, and in places such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels and hospitals.
Entertainment, children and novels in general, are the categories of books that have boosted the business of bookstores in Costa Rica in recent years.
Between 2013 and 2014, book imports fell from $33 million to $30 million, however, in recent years that fall has stopped, because according to data from the Ministry of Finance, between 2014 and 2018 annual imports have oscillated between $27 million and $29.9 million.
The growth in demand for sportswear, which has been a trend in several international markets, is forcing companies in El Salvador to modify their production processes.
Local manufacturers have identified that pants, leggings, biker shorts and other sportswear have become an urban fashion in different countries, which has led them to adapt their production processes to meet the growing demand.
New trends in construction, such as the greater use of steel and polystyrene blocks, explain part of the changes that are being made in their product offer hardware stores in the Dominican Republic.
For the Asociación Dominicana de Ferreteros (Asodefe), the trend is reported in all sizes and types of constructions, since the use of steel and polystyrene saves time and reduces the waste of material in the works.
Since consumers are less willing to buy products whose packaging is harmful to the environment, the packaging industry must begin to incorporate these trend changes in the development of its packaging design.
The increase in the diffusion of ideas proposing sustainability in the production and commercialization of goods opens a space for companies to implement strategies based on the preference for the consumption of "eco-friendly" products.
Traditional shopping centers must be reinvented to remain competitive, as globally consumers tend to spend more on experience than on products.
Although consumers look for experiences in the shopping centers they choose to make their purchases, the development of this concept is beginning in Central American countries.
For real estate developers, combining offices, residences and businesses in the same project reduces the risk of losing profitability, as lower demand for one component can be offset by higher demand for another.
With the aim of reducing investment risks, Costa Ricalas companies prefer to build multi-purpose projects, which combine residences, offices and shops.