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Grocery Pakistan
Grocery Pakistan
Grocery Pakistan
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Industry Profiles
1. Executive Summary
Industry Profiles
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Executive Summary2
2. Market Overview7
3. Market Data9
4. Market Segmentation10
5. Market Outlook13
7. Competitive Landscape21
Industry Profiles
7.2. Which are the strongest store formats in this market? .............................................................. 21
8. Macroeconomic Indicators23
Appendix 25
Methodology............................................................................................................................................. 25
Industry Profiles
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value: $ million, 2014–18 9
Table 2: Pakistan food & grocery retail market category segmentation: $ million, 2018 10
Table 3: Pakistan food & grocery retail market geography segmentation: $ million, 2018 11
Table 4: Pakistan food & grocery retail market distribution: % share, by value, 2018 12
Table 5: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value forecast: $ million, 2018–23 13
Industry Profiles
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value: $ million, 2014–18 9
Figure 2: Pakistan food & grocery retail market category segmentation: % share, by value, 2018 10
Figure 3: Pakistan food & grocery retail market geography segmentation: % share, by value, 2018 11
Figure 4: Pakistan food & grocery retail market distribution: % share, by value, 2018 12
Figure 5: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value forecast: $ million, 2018–23 13
Figure 6: Forces driving competition in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018 14
Figure 7: Drivers of buyer power in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018 15
Figure 8: Drivers of supplier power in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018 16
Figure 9: Factors influencing the likelihood of new entrants in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan,
2018 18
Figure 10: Factors influencing the threat of substitutes in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018
19
Figure 11: Drivers of degree of rivalry in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018 20
Industry Profiles
2. Market Overview
Industry Profiles
The prices of food and beverages for consumers is expected to continue growing over the forecast, this will help drive
market growth by increasing the value of products sold to consumers. However, purchasing power in Pakistan could
weaken with anticipated salary decreases in 2020 as a result of rising inflation and depreciation of the Pakistan’s
rupee. Pakistan’s average salary is expected to fall 3% in 2020 according to data from ESA International.
Industry Profiles
3. Market Data
Table 1: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value: $ million, 2014–18
Figure 1: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value: $ million, 2014–18
Industry Profiles
4. Market Segmentation
Table 2: Pakistan food & grocery retail market category segmentation: $ million, 2018
Category 2018 %
Food 47,100.5 79.4%
Drinks 5,907.9 10.0%
Tobacco 5,167.2 8.7%
Household Products 1,140.7 1.9%
Figure 2: Pakistan food & grocery retail market category segmentation: % share, by value, 2018
Industry Profiles
Table 3: Pakistan food & grocery retail market geography segmentation: $ million, 2018
Geography 2018 %
China 2,481,576.8 54.1
India 507,108.4 11.1
Japan 482,979.0 10.5
Indonesia 206,177.9 4.5
Pakistan 59,316.3 1.3
Rest Of Asia-pacific 850,958.4 18.5
Figure 3: Pakistan food & grocery retail market geography segmentation: % share, by value, 2018
Industry Profiles
Table 4: Pakistan food & grocery retail market distribution: % share, by value, 2018
Channel % Share
Convenience Stores and Gas Stations 53.8%
Hypermarkets, Supermarkets and Hard Discounters 12.1%
Value, Discount and General Merchandise Retail 12.1%
Cash and Carry and Warehouse Clubs 0.3%
Other 21.7%
Total 100%
Figure 4: Pakistan food & grocery retail market distribution: % share, by value, 2018
Industry Profiles
5. Market Outlook
Table 5: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value forecast: $ million, 2018–23
Figure 5: Pakistan food & grocery retail market value forecast: $ million, 2018–23
Industry Profiles
6.1. Summary
Figure 6: Forces driving competition in the food & grocery retail market in Pakistan, 2018
Competition between players is fierce due to the limited level of product differentiation and consumers' negligible
switching costs, combined with a challenging and volatile market environment.
Since the vast majority of retail sales in the food & grocery market come from food sales, analysis will focus largely on
this segment of the market.
A lack of switching costs and the limitations in product differentiation lead to buyer mobility, which forces larger
retailers to maintain attractive pricing schemes. There is a rising pressure laid on players to adapt to fast changing
consumer needs and the market leaders should be able to position the desirable product at a price suitable for
customers and manufacturers. Whilst specialist, luxury or organic retailers do not feel the same price sensitivity, they
are not able to secure a large volume of customers, and may have no choice but to commit to long term supplier
contracts in order to secure a steady supply, quality, or specifically prepared products.
Potential new entrants may struggle to compete with the aggressive marketing and pricing policies of the existing
players. Nonetheless, relatively low entry and exit costs, the emergence of thriving health and ethical niches which are
sheltered from direct competition from current players, and strong historical growth, offer attractive prospects.
Food service (takeaways, vendors and restaurants) can be seen as a substitute to food retail products, however for
the vast majority of people it currently exists as an occasional accompaniment rather than a wholesale alternative.
Subsistence farming is a more direct substitute, sometimes replacing standard retail behavior outright, yet it is no
longer a common practice in many parts of the world.
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In Pakistan, the food & grocery retail market is vastly different from that of other countries, particularly Western
markets. Obesity is a significant issue in many Western countries, with governments and institutions introducing
healthy eating initiatives in an attempt to tackle the issue. However, in Pakistan the health issue surrounding food
consumption has tended to be malnutrition.
According to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), almost half of all children in Pakistan are chronically
malnourished. As such, while many Western markets have seen a culture of convenience develop, with frozen and
tinned food becoming the products of choice, this is not the case for much of the population in Pakistan. The
emphasis here has been on growing your own produce and shopping in open-air markets.
Generally, the fact that the buyers in this market are end-consumers tends to significantly weaken buyer power.
However, the fact that much food retail is carried out at independent retail outlets, the loss of one customer is likely
to have a more significant impact than it would for a large company. As such, buyer power is higher in the food retail
market in Pakistan.
What’s more, rapid urbanization, rising incomes and growing awareness of health and safety, are leading to changes
in consumption patterns in the country.
Overall, buyer power is assessed as moderate.
Industry Profiles
Suppliers to this market are producers of base ingredients as well as manufacturers of food and grocery products.
The production of base ingredients stage is dominated by large players, although individual farmers with
smallholdings are present. Crop production is dependent on land. The more land there is, the more crops that can be
produced. This increases financial viability and consequently, production is dominated by global powerhouses. For
example, Adecoagro is one of the largest owners of productive farmland in South America, while the likes of Bunge
and Cargill have revenue exceeding $40bn. In the case of the latter, it exceeds $100bn. Small-scale farms are a feature
of this stage of the value chain. Individual or family-owned farms are commonplace and may in some cases be key
suppliers to supermarket chains or local, independent retailers. Such suppliers have much less power than large,
multinational agricultural companies.
Large retailers often maintain relationships with a wide range of suppliers, which ensures stability and helps to offset
the dangers of local sourcing problems or price fluctuations. Where possible, long term contractual obligations are
avoided and switching costs are kept to a minimum. With a firm hold on key distribution channels, the leading
retailers can dominate negotiations with certain suppliers. The leading players in this market often make up a larger
proportion of a supplier’s revenues and as such can negotiate lower prices with suppliers. Smaller retailers, such as
specialist, luxury or organic outlets may find such negotiations difficult. The limited number of suppliers in niche areas
and the centrality of product quality or preparation type restrict the available range of sourcing options. With
switching costs subsequently higher, the balance of power shifts somewhat from smaller retailers to specialist
suppliers.
Backward integration is possible, with some retailers growing their own produce and selling it on. This is particularly
true for small, independent retailers such as open-air market retailers. Backward integration is also possible by some
of the larger market players. For example, some retailers operate food production plants, which supply private-label
brands. In this case supplier power is reduced. On the other hand, forward integration by suppliers is possible if a
manufacturer/grower decides to establish retail operations.
Whilst the need to satisfy consumer demand for popular products bolsters manufacturers, many others face the
problem of a high degree of retailer mobility as they switch suppliers in accordance with pricing pressures. Supplier
power has been affected by the surge of many retailers offering private-label products, which may sideline certain
Industry Profiles
suppliers. While at present private-label accounts for a small proportion of sales in Pakistan, there are signs that this is
on the increase as modern retail spreads across the country.
In respect of large suppliers, such as Unilever, Coca Cola, and Procter & Gamble, supplier power is increased. These
companies supply products with strong brands. Ultimately, end-consumer demand is critical in this market and the
leading market players will need to stock the brands that consumers want. However, for food retail a vast swathe of
products are commodities (such as fruit and vegetables) and homogenous, which diminishes supplier power.
Backwards integration by the largest retailers in this market is also evident in terms of integrating into storage and
warehouses in a drive to achieve improved efficiency. For example, Metro AG has its own distribution centers and
logistics in place in order to gain greater levels of efficiency across its supply chain.
Traders and their customers such as food companies or retailers that have backwards integrated have come under a
great deal of pressure in recent years to make sure that farmers get a fair price for what they produce and sell on.
Several movements and certification standards have been implemented, the most visible of which are Fairtrade and
Utz Certified. Companies that manufacture end products like packaged coffee, chocolate bars, and cereals exert
pressure on suppliers to conform to standards around issues like pay, child labor, environmental responsibility, and
freedom of expression. Some manufacturers will only buy from traders who can prove that their inputs come from
compliant sources as this then allows them to prominently display Fairtrade, Utz Certified etc. logos on their
packaging. This is crucial because of increased consumer awareness of such issues and the pull through from buyer
demands. Such issues have helped to improve supplier power to a certain extent in recent years.
Overall, supplier power is assessed as moderate.
Industry Profiles
The food & grocery retail market in Pakistan is fragmented. However, a rise in incomes, a growing participation of
females in the labor force, and a young population are driving consumerism in Pakistan, and with it are coming
changes in consumption patterns. Modern retail is expanding in the country, with hypermarkets and supermarkets set
to grow in the coming years.
Market entry to the traditional segment of the market would be relatively easy. In these circumstances, scale
economies are of little importance, with many selling products that they grow themselves. Furthermore, fixed costs
are unlikely to be high, particularly with regard to market stalls.
On the other hand, there has been a huge growth in modern retailing in Pakistan. As such, entry to the modern retail
segment of the market is problematic. Large-scale, established retailers, with operating businesses that benefit
significantly from economies of scale and the ability to employ aggressive pricing schemes, which cannot be matched
by smaller retailers, enjoy a significant advantage. Strong branding exercises and fast paced expansion deepens this
market control.
It is evident that modern trade in Pakistan is growing, which should theoretically mean that there is room for more
retail players to enter the market. Pakistan has seen steady economic growth in recent years, which is improving
prospects for the population. What’s more, the country is the sixth most populated nation globally and has a large
young population. It is largely the young in the country that are driving the growth of modern retail in the country.
Added to this is a growing middle class, which further aids growth. Such a situation offers an attractive prospect to
potential new entrants. Market growth has been good in recent years, which looks likely to continue in the coming
years.
Switching costs for end consumers are minimal in this market, with consumers often heavily influenced by price.
Overall, the likelihood of new entrants to this market is assessed as moderate at present.
Industry Profiles
There are few direct substitutes to food & grocery retail. The dominant alternative to food retail is food service.
Strong marketing campaigns in the case of fast food companies, and cultural traditions with respect to sit-down
restaurants, mean both types may represent a relative alternative for many consumers. However, for the vast
majority of people, foodservice accompanies food retail rather than replaces it.
A more direct substitute to food retail is found in subsistence agriculture, in which individuals or families farm food to
provide for their own personal needs. The general trend across the globe has been that with the emergence of market
capitalism, machinery that enables growing on a large scale, and increased population density mean subsistence
agriculture is no longer common. However, in Pakistan, subsistence farming is still common, with it being estimated
that around 60% of total farmlands consist of subsistence farmers. However, modern retail in the country is expanding
and will lessen this threat in the future. At present this particular threat is moderate.
With regards to tobacco, traditional nicotine replacement therapies such as gum, patches and lozenges are
substitutes, providing nicotine to alleviate cravings. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are also becoming a threat on a
global scale and although they are not approved and are even prohibited in some countries, such products are widely
sold and are seeing success.
The main substitute to household products is posed by homemade alternatives. End-users may prefer these on
grounds of price, or because they can control what ingredients are used in their preparation. However, any
substitutes for household products need to be prepared, which can be a time-consuming process requiring specific
knowledge, and may not provide the desired results, thus reducing the threat of substitutes. Furthermore, as the
manufacturers are now aware of the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and allergy-free alternatives,
they are incorporating these qualities into their products, which, combined with their greater convenience, reduces
the threat of substitutes.
Given the prevalence of subsistence agriculture in the country, the threat of substitutes is currently assessed as
moderate; however, as modern retail expands in the country, this threat will lessen in the coming years.
Industry Profiles
In Pakistan, competition within the traditional retail sector is likely to be less fierce. Such retailers are likely to be small
neighborhood stores and market stalls selling specialized produce. However, the growing modern retail sector poses a
rivalry threat to the traditional retailers as consumers seek out more efficient and cheaper ways to shop.
In this country, the leading players are currently undergoing aggressive expansion plans. Such expansion by the
leading players is intensifying the rivalry level. What’s more, the leading players in this market are adopting a multi-
format approach, with supermarkets, hypermarkets, specialty stores, and convenience stores being part of the leading
retailers’ portfolios. Such a situation increases competition in all sectors of the market.
Consumers face negligible switching costs, meaning retailers fight increased pressure to secure consumers' custom
and loyalty by attempting to cut prices. Larger retailers are pushed into competitive pricing policies due to the limited
level of differentiation across the basic product range. Rivalry is also increased by the close similarity of players,
although they may attempt to differentiate through products and price.
Some companies operate in other industries as well offering electronics, homeware, apparel, pharmaceuticals and
more. This can help to absorb the temporary impact of declining food sales, or high supply price; however, food retail
lies at the heart of the business for many. This basic dependency gives rise to aggressive competition.
In this thriving market, rivalry is assessed as moderate overall.
Industry Profiles
7. Competitive Landscape
Imtiaz Super Market and Utility Stores are the leaders in this market, which is seeing increasing activity in its online
channel.
Industry Profiles
Industry Profiles
8. Macroeconomic Indicators
Industry Profiles
Industry Profiles
Appendix
Methodology
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