As a result of the pandemic, the consumer habits of Costa Ricans changed, a phenomenon that was evidenced in the forms of consumption of ice cream, which is now more frequently consumed in homes.
In the new commercial reality, the consumption of individual ice creams was considerably reduced and in the case of multipacks, sales increased. This change is due to the fact that nowadays people spend more time in their homes and prefer to consume this type of products at home.
Between 2019 and 2020, it is estimated that ice cream sales in the country increased by 6%, with supermarkets, discount stores and convenience stores being the main marketing points, as 7 out of every 10 units are sold in these establishments.
In recent years, ice cream consumption in the Guatemalan market has increased considerably, since between 2019 and 2020 sales increased by $8 million, going from $128 million to $136 million, according to Euromonitor estimates.
In this context of changing behaviors and new commercial realities, consumers are expected to increase their preference for open spaces, green areas, contactless payment systems, and stores where there are no queues.
The covid-19 outbreak caused far-reaching changes in the way people behave. These changes brought about a new business normal, a reality to which companies have had to adapt rapidly.
The growing preference for freshly prepared foods meeting the demands of health-conscious consumers explains the niche market that is developing in Costa Rica.
Some of the companies which have found a niche market in the preparation of gourmet food specialized in the country, have emerged in response to the lack of time for people to cook and the need that several consumers have to meet the goals they define together with nutrition professionals.
It has been reported that six out of ten bottles of liquor consumed in Costa Rica are of illegal origin, and this situation has been attributed to the heavy tax on alcoholic beverages in the country.
An investigation published by Crhoy.com details the figures on the market of illegal alcoholic beverages in Costa Rica.The document concludes that between 2014 and 2017 the value of the illicit liquor market has grown almost 50%.
The value of illegal sales of about 32,000 hectoliters of pure alcohol in the country each year is estimated at $54 million.
Growth in the volume traded on the illicit market has been increasing, with the exception of the period between 2012 and 2013, when it went down by 3.7% due to "... greater government control on ethanol, specifically in control of pharmacy alcohol and counterfeit or adulterated alcohol. "
Sugary soda sales continue to exceed those of low sugar content, but in the last five years the consumption of the latter group has grown more than the first.
By volume and value sales of sugary carbonated drinks continue to dominate the Costa Rican market, both at the retail and wholesale level. In 2014, 191.3 million liters were distributed, generating $574.3 million in revenue.
Sales of food supplements and vitamins during 2013 increased by 9% compared to the previous year.
Combined substances such as antioxidants, vitamins and supplements are part of the healthy products or foodstuffs category whose consumption has gained momentum in the country in recent years ... this is due to "... A higher level of consumer confidence in these products. "
Increased purchasing power has triggered the consumption of coffee in the leading producers in the world, Colombia, Brazil and Vietnam, raising its international price.
The three countries which together produce 60% of the grains consumed in the world, are increasing their local consumption of coffee, putting pressure on the export supply and raising grain prices around the world.
In 2013 the sale of ice tea generated revenue of $78.5 million, 10.4% more than in the previous year, while sales of juices rose by 9.9% in the same period.
In 2013, 36.2 million gallons of iced tea were sold, 6.1% more than in 2012, according to data from the firm Euromonitor. "... Iced tea has evolved the most in terms of generating money in five years.
Male grooming products increased by 36% between 2008 and 2013.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Trends in Beauty Market in Mexico.
The market for personal care and cosmetics in Mexico ended 2013 with sales of $10,843,000, which placed it in tenth position in the world below markets such as France, Russia and Italy, according to Euromonitor International.
One out of every five bottles of liquor consumed in the country comes from the illegal market, which moves $64 million and is growing by 30% every year.
The easy availability of raw materials and the lack of regulation on the end use of these products, leads to one out of every five bottles of liquor consumed in the country being illegal, absorbing 23.5% of the total spirits market in terms of volume and total sales.
A study by Euromonitor highlights the tendency to use small containers for cosmetics and personal care products in Latin America.
In order to reach all segments of the market, companies in the personal care and beauty sector are packaging their products in smaller containers and making them cheaper, keeping the quality of the product the same.
Miguel Ángel Jop, chairman of the Committee on Cosmetics at the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport), agrees with the view that the trend is going that way.
In the past five years, retail sales of ice cream have increased by 71%
The franchise model and market segmentation has been the scheme which artisanal ice cream shops have used to maintain their share in a market where 85% belongs to only one competitor, the cooperative Dos Pinos.
"12.2% is divided between Monteverde, Pops and Diaz, and 3.1% between other small local competitors," noted an article in Elfinancierocr.com.
With the authorization of the acquisition of Punto Rojo by Colgate Palmolive the market has been divided up between two great competitors.
Unilever and Colgate Palmolive are now the two main competitors in the market for soaps in Costa Rica, after the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry authorized the acquisition of Punto Rojo requested by Colgate Palmolive.
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