VENEZUELANS CUT BACK ON BASICS.(Brief Article)
The recent severe contraction in the average Venezuelan household
budget has caused families to cut back on both the quality and quantity
of the food they consume. A recent survey conducted by the . . .
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN CHILE.
The generalized economic recovery that manifested itself in Chile
during 2003 has contributed to healthy growth in sales of building
materials over the past 12 months and that upward momentum is . . .
IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETERS.(Brief Article)
Brazil is home to about 50 percent of South Americas consumers and
it shares a border with every nation on the continent except Chile and
Ecuador. Although it should be the engine that drives . . .
BRAZIL'S CONSUMPTION CLIMATE IMPROVES.(Brief
Article)
In recent years, the purchasing power and living standard of the
average Brazilian household were repeatedly battered by abrupt
devaluations of the national currency (the real), but it appears . . .
CHILEAN CONFIDENCE BOOSTS HIGH-END SALES.
Chilean consumers and business leaders are increasingly confident
that the nations economy is on the right track. That confidence will
contribute to firm demand for high-end goods and services as . . .
IMPLICATIONS FOR MARKETERS.(Central American Free Trade Agreement
with the United States)(Brief Article)
Although Chile accounts for a relatively small part of Latin
America's gross development product (GDP), it is emerging as South
America's most dynamic trade hub. The governmentAEs . . .
BRAZIL'S LACKLUSTER HIGH-END SPENDING.(Brief
Article)
Interest rates are gradually declining in Brazil, but remain
uncomfortably high for the average household. The Lula regime's
handling of the national economy has bolstered consumer confidence . . .
COLOMBIAN HIGH-END PURCHASES RISE.
Colombian high-end spending took a tumble in 1996, but since then
demand for automobiles, residential real estate, and major appliances
has built up. Renewed confidence in the governments economic . . .
SALES OF APPLIANCES HOLD STEADY IN ECUADOR.(Brief
Article)
Sales of major household appliances in Ecuador are holding steady,
but an estimated 11 foreign brands have entered the market over the past
18 months. As a result, competition is fierce and profit . . .
PRODUCT FOCUS- SOFT DRINKS IN MEXICO.
Soft drink sales rose 2 percent in Mexico during 2003, and the
growth rate should increase a bit in 2004 thanks to a generalized
improvement in Mexicos commercial climate. Mexico has the worlds . . .
CLIMATE AFFECTS ECUADORIAN BEVERAGE SALES.(Brief Article)
Ecuadorian beer consumption is in the range of 18 to 25 liters per
person annually, but the level varies considerably by region. Along the
warm coastal plain, consumption is in the range of 35 to . . .
CHILEAN INTERNAL DEMAND ON THE RISE.(Brief Article)
The overall consumption panorama is improving in Chile and that
will ultimately manifest itself in greater internal demand for Chilean
goods and services. Inflation remains very low and is likely . . .
DOMINICANS CUT BACK TO BASIC SPENDING.
Real household income has dropped off sharply over the past two
years in the Dominican Republic. The local currency price of most
household goods has risen nearly 100 percent, and that is . . .
MEXICAN CONSUMERS STILL RELUCTANT.(Brief Article)
Mexican consumer confidence slumped in recent months and that will
limit growth in high-end household spending through most of this year.
Mexican commercial activity should pick up during 2004, but . . .
INTRA-REGIONAL DEMAND GAINS UPWARD MOMENTUM.
The growth of intra-regional demand for goods and services in South
America has been stifled by a series of economic crises in Argentina,
Brazil, and Venezuela in recent years, but the scenario . . .
DOMINICANS TO SPEND EVEN LESS IN 2004.(Brief Article)
Real household expenditure will decline in 2004 after slipping
sharply during 2003. During the first quarter of 2004 alone, consumer
price inflation topped 20 percent, which was well above the . . .
MEXICANS BUYING MORE WITH LESS.(purchasing power)
Real purchasing power has declined in Mexico over the past two
years, yet household consumption has steadily risen over the period. To
a great degree, that is attributable to more attractive terms . . .
COSTA RICAN CONSTRUCTION HITS RECORD.(Costa Rican
construction)(Brief Article)
Costa Rican construction starts hit a new record in 2003 and
near-record demand is likely to hold through 2004. Consumer confidence
is up and interest rates are down. That has created an economic . . .
ARGENTINA'S EXPERT SHOPPERS.(Brief Article)
During the days when Argentinas currency (the peso) was on par with
the U.S. dollar, Argentine consumers invested little time in comparison
shopping, and retailers had little motivation to discount . . .
COLOMBIANS MORE WILLING TO SPEND.
A sense of increased security and economic stability is boosting
Colombian consumer confidence and should contribute to growth in sales
of high-end durable goods in the range of 5 to 10 percent . . .
|
|