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Explore our latest articles for insights into market trends, industry developments and research-driven perspectives. Whether you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve or gain a deeper understanding of your sector, our blog offers thought-provoking content designed to support smart business decisions.
As South African Coffee consumption becomes more varied, consumers are increasingly looking beyond the traditional hot morning cup towards formats that are convenient, refreshing and suitable for different times of day. Iced lattes, cold brew, Coffee concentrates and ready-to-drink (RTD) products are becoming more visible across cafés, supermarkets, forecourts and
As moderation becomes more visible in social drinking occasions, consumers are looking for drinks that still feel flavourful, considered and socially appropriate without necessarily containing alcohol. This does not mean that alcohol is disappearing from adult occasions, but it does suggest that mocktails, premium mixers, flavoured sparkling drinks and other
For many organisations, uncertainty is viewed as a reason to delay investment. In reality, it is often the organisations with the best market intelligence that identify opportunities while competitors hesitate. Whether it’s changing commodity pricing, shifting supply chains, or rapid adoption of new technology, South African companies are continually forced
Chicken continues to stand out as the strongest category in South Africa’s Fast Food market, driven by its affordability, broad consumer appeal and strong fit with local eating habits. While pizza, burgers and multi-category restaurants remain important parts of the industry, chicken has maintained a clear lead, showing that it
Funeral insurance remains one of the most important segments within South Africa’s Long-Term Insurance industry, providing financial support to millions of households during periods of bereavement. However, the market is increasingly evolving beyond traditional funeral cover as insurers introduce innovative products, flexible payment structures, digital distribution models, and value-added services
As we navigate the global business landscape in 2026, marked by rapid technological upheavals and altering supply chain dynamics, South African businesses will require stronger market knowledge than ever before. At Insight Survey, we monitor how global economic trends, like changing commodity prices and new trade policies, affect our local
Global supply chains, geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change are creating new challenges for businesses worldwide. For South African companies, understanding how these developments affect customers, competitors and markets has become increasingly important. Macroeconomic conditions are rapidly changing, from shifting geopolitical alignments and growing marine trade disputes to the quick
In today’s competitive business environment, knowing customers and markets is more crucial than ever. Businesses in South Africa rely on research firms to help them make better decisions, lower risk, and develop more efficiently. Market survey companies collect and analyse data to assist businesses in understanding people’s behaviours and trends.
Every senior business decision carries risk. Market entry, capital allocation, portfolio expansion, pricing strategy. The quality of those decisions depends on whether the data behind them is truly decision ready. This is where the question of sample size matters, not as a technical detail, but as a leadership safeguard. There
It must be extremely overwhelming for leaders and decision-makers right now. Markets are shifting faster than most planning cycles can accommodate. Economic pressure, regulatory change, rapid technological advancement, and evolving customer expectations are unfolding simultaneously. Long-standing models are breaking down, assumptions no longer hold, and decisions are expected faster, with
In many boardrooms, there’s a quiet tension. The agenda is packed: revenue, risk, regulation, retention. Yet beneath the surface, a different conversation is waiting to happen. A conversation about trust, relevance and what the future of finance actually looks like. Today, financial services leaders are navigating pressures that extend beyond
When a leading global automotive brand prepared to launch a new vehicle in South Africa, their brief was clear: reach first-time car buyers, inspire aspiration and stand apart in a cluttered market. The challenge? Knowing whether their creative concepts would truly connect with this audience before spending millions on media.
Medical representatives play a critical role in bridging pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals. Their ability to communicate product information clearly, consistently, and memorably directly influences trust, prescribing confidence, and long-term engagement. Measuring the effectiveness of these interactions is therefore essential for ensuring both commercial impact and meaningful professional relationships. At
When a global automotive brand prepared to launch a new vehicle in South Africa, it faced a familiar challenge: How do you create advertising that speaks to a new audience without losing your brand’s core identity? The company wanted to connect with first-time car buyers, a fast-growing and diverse segment
At Insight Survey, listening isn’t just what we do for clients , it’s how we show up for each other. As our team embarks on a growth trajectory, we’re reminded that scaling up isn’t simply about expansion: it’s about strengthening the culture, elevating every voice and safeguarding what makes us
The Sports and Energy Drinks market is gaining significant traction as consumers increasingly gravitate toward functional, performance-enhancing beverages that deliver targeted physical and cognitive benefits. Both global and South African brands are innovating with advanced formulations that combine natural caffeine, electrolytes, B vitamins, botanicals, and nootropic ingredients to support improved
The global Sauces market is experiencing a significant flavour revolution, as consumers increasingly seek products that combine traditional ingredients with modern innovations and bold, internationally inspired taste profiles. While classic flavours continue to appeal, growing consumer curiosity is driving demand for hybrid offerings that deliver novelty, contrast, and global influences.
Globally, and in South Africa, the Probiotics market is rapidly shifting from generic digestive aids to highly personalised solutions, reflecting consumer demand for targeted, science-backed products. Rising interest in gut health and preventive wellness is driving innovation, with brands offering multi-function formats, condition-specific blends, and even customised formulas based on
We’re excited to share some big news. Insight Survey has a fresh new look and a revamped website! Insight Survey is a South African boutique Market Research agency with 20 years of experience, specialising in Business-to-Business (B2B) and Industry Research. We provide bespoke solutions that deliver business growth by helping
Around the world, the Savoury Snacks category is undergoing a flavour revolution, as consumers increasingly seek out products that combine unexpected ingredients, adventurous taste experiences, and bold seasoning profiles. While traditional flavours still hold appeal, growing consumer curiosity is fuelling demand for hybrid flavours that bring contrast, novelty, and global
When businesses consider entering a new market or expanding into a new segment, one common question arises: Is it worth it? But behind that seemingly simple question lies a more complex challenge: not just estimating how big a market is but understanding what it takes to succeed in it. This
Most business leaders are facing the same tough question right now: “How do we grow and where do we start?” The truth is that growth doesn’t come from guesswork or gut feel. It comes from clarity about your market, your customers and how you stack up against competitors. At Insight
Bringing a new product or service to market is exciting but it’s also risky. At Insight Survey, we help businesses reduce that risk through New Product Development (NPD) research, a critical tool to ensure that innovations align with real customer needs and market gaps. NPD research supports the full innovation
The IT and Telecommunications space is evolving at breakneck speed. From the rise of 5G and IoT to the rapid migration to cloud and hybrid infrastructure, the pressure on decision-makers to make the right tech choices, fast, is greater than ever. What we’ve seen in our research is that technology
The rising popularity of high-protein foods and plant-based options is shaping the global and South African Functional Foods market as consumers are increasingly seeking products that support active lifestyles and align with ethical and sustainable eating habits. This shift in demand has led to an increase in innovation across the
As global palates become more sophisticated, the Tea market is experiencing a significant shift towards innovative flavoured Teas and health-focused infusions. This evolution is being driven by the desire for beverages that harmonise tradition with modern tastes, offering both the comforting familiarity of Tea and exciting new flavour profiles. Consumers
In today’s highly competitive telecommunications landscape, understanding client perceptions is essential to sustaining market share and deepening customer loyalty. In 2025, a leading telecommunications provider partnered with Insight Survey to evaluate how enterprise and public sector clients perceived their service, benchmarking results against 2022 findings. Using a structured quantitative research
At Insight Survey, we recognise the critical role employee engagement plays in enabling successful organisational transformation. A prominent financial services client approached us to better understand employee sentiment and engagement levels during a period of strategic change. Using a robust quantitative online survey methodology, we achieved an 88.9% response rate,
Globally and locally, female-focused Probiotics are gaining significant traction as women place increased focus on their gut and immune health, as well as specific feminine health issues, such as vaginal health. This trend is also being driven by a rising focus on preventive healthcare, with market players launching innovative products
Within the global and local Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) market, innovation has long been a key driver of success, with brands constantly seeking new ways to capture the attention of consumers. In line with this, limited-edition CSDs, particularly in the form of once-off exciting flavours and exclusive packaging, are becoming
Both globally and locally, the Juice market is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences from traditional high sugar Juices to healthier variations that have more nutritional benefits, driven by ongoing health concerns. This is resulting in market players increasing its existing product ranges or launching new Juice products that are
Globally, the demand for natural Digestive Remedy products is surging, as consumers increasingly favour plant-derived solutions that are considered gentle on the body, and environmentally sustainable. With strong growth anticipated for both local and global markets, major market players are actively responding by launching innovative products to meet this robust
The obesity epidemic has been identified as a significant global health emergency, with 16% (890 million) of all adults over the age of 18 living with obesity, according to the World Health Organisation. The situation at a local level is even more concerning, with 31% of South African men and
As the chill set in, both global and South African Cough, Cold, and Flu markets were mixing it up this season, embracing combination products that tackle multiple symptoms in one convenient solution. This combo-cure trend, fuelled by consumers’ demand for comprehensive relief, is shaping the future of the market with
Globally and locally, fitness enthusiasts and athletes are living increasingly time-constrained lifestyles, resulting in a significant increase in the demand for convenient and effective Sports Nutrition products that not only boost their athletic performance and overall wellness, but also fits into their busy, daily routines. This is resulting in an
Globally and locally, the Supplements market is being energised by a rising demand for products that improve cognitive and sleep functioning, as consumers increasingly focus on enhancing cognitive and mental well-being. As a result, there has been an influx of innovative Supplement products offering a variety of cognitive benefits, which
Worldwide, industry players are having to continually align with the capricious needs of consumers, due to busier lifestyles and shifting preferences. These consumer demands have spurred the development of numerous Vitamin products, offering functional benefits tailored to address daily consumer stressors. These innovative Vitamin products also offer increased convenience to
Following the significant increase in premium volumes of 9.1% in 2021, due to a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, the global Long-Term (Life) Insurance industry contracted by 3.1% in 2022, based on the erosion of consumer savings and nominal premium growth during the year. However, positively, the industry is
Globally, consumers are seeking convenient, effective, and safe Analgesic products, capable of alleviating a wide variety of joint and muscular pain, as a result of intensive work outs, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and sedentary lifestyles, among others. Topical Analgesics, such as patches, creams, and gels, are becoming a popular alternative to
As the prevalence of allergy-related symptoms and conditions, particularly allergic rhinitis, continues to increase exponentially, consumers are seeking more convenient and efficient solutions to cope with the impact of these allergies and improve their overall quality of life. As a result, there are an increasing number of players pivoting towards
Globally, the concept of embedded insurance has become increasingly popular in the Short-Term Insurance industry, by making the purchase of insurance more attractive, streamlined, personalised, and an intuitive part of the buying process for various products and services. Embedded insurance allows consumers to purchase insurance on the website or app
Both globally and locally, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the many benefits associated with Probiotics, resulting in growing demand and innovation in the Probiotics industry. With this, market players have been launching new Probiotic products that offer multiple benefits, over and above gut health, through the incorporation of multiple
Globally, consumers are increasingly expecting their favourite beverage products to come in new and exciting flavours, which include Sports and Energy Drinks, to provide them with the flavourful kick they desire. As a result, innovative product offerings are being launched that include unique fruity combinations that complement the seasons, coffee-themed
Rising environmental awareness and calls for heightened sustainable efforts from corporations have come to the fore in the Bottled Water industry, both globally and locally. As such, companies are strengthening their efforts to adapt products to meet these evolving consuming needs, which has resulted in a new wave of innovative,
In both the global and South African markets, pet owners are increasingly placing greater importance on the health and wellness of their furry companions, particularly due to ongoing pet humanisation trends. This is being leveraged by Pet Food players in the Pet Care market, with the release of specialised diet
Within the South African Fast Food market, there is a growing love for “local is lekker” which is resulting in robust market growth, driven by large servings of locally focused advertising and marketing, such as loadshedding and the country’s ever-popular braai culture. At the same time, township culture is having
Within both the global and local Juice markets, consumer preferences are shifting from conventional Juices to novel products that are healthier, as well as more exciting and appealing, especially among younger consumers, in terms of flavour. As a result, the trend of combination flavoured Juice blends is moving to the
Globally and locally, consumers are increasingly demanding to be provided with new and novel Tea products, as well as ways to consume their Tea, resulting in the non-traditional evolution of Tea consumption generally. As a result of this, a variety of different Tea market players are introducing freshly brewed Tea
Both globally and locally, there has been a steady increase in the number of influenza cases during flu seasons, which has been accelerated by the removal of COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, whilst flu seasons have also been starting earlier than usual across different regions. The expected strains of influenza are
Both globally and locally, Coffee market players are increasingly expressing significant interest in sustainability, driven by ongoing concerns surrounding environmental issues and climate change. As a result of this focus, market players have been increasingly putting the ‘green’ back in Coffee, by highlighting various sustainability efforts, including the introduction of
Both globally and locally, the Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSD) market is witnessing a shift in consumer preferences from traditional high sugar, caffeinated soft drinks to healthier variations that exclude these ingredients, driven by ongoing health concerns surrounding these ingredients. This is resulting in market players increasing its existing brand ranges
Globally, market players are launching new Supplement products that have been developed using technological innovation and novel ingredients, in order to meet dynamic consumer requirements. Moreover, the use of innovation is also extending to pharmaceutical retailers, which are introducing user-friendly online platforms to promote the use of Supplements, thereby enhancing
Around the globe, industry players are having to adapt to the capricious needs of consumers, as the consumption of Vitamins constantly evolves due to increasingly busy lifestyles. This has led to the launch of innovative, more convenient Vitamins product formats, such as gummies, jelly strips, and sachets, which are growing
Insight Survey’s latest South African Long-Term Insurance Industry Landscape Report 2023 carefully uncovers the global and local Long-Term Insurance market, based on the latest information and research. It describes the key global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers, and challenges, to present an objective insight into the South African Long-Term Insurance
Over the past few years, the Short-Term insurance landscape has significantly evolved in response to a dynamic market environment, with a ‘one size fits all’ approach no longer being sufficient in meeting market and consumer demands. This has resulted in the introduction of innovative, personalised Short-Term Insurance offerings, driven by
Within the global and local Analgesics markets, industry players are expanding product lines and offering new formats of popular Analgesic products to meet consumer demands for safer, more effective, and convenient pain-relief solutions. Over the past year, there has been a growing trend towards non-traditional formats, such as sprays, sticks,
Both globally and locally, innovative Sweet Biscuit flavours are increasingly ‘baking’ in the industry, as consumers demand more novel and exciting flavours of their favourite snack products. Specifically, manufacturers are launching unique creations and combinations of product flavours in its Sweet Biscuit ranges, in order to cater to capricious consumer
While Cannabis use remains taboo among some South Africans, an increasing number of consumers are becoming more accepting regarding its use. More specifically, legalisation, government support, and the potential economic advantages offered by the South African Cannabis market, have led to the increased legitimisation of Cannabis and Cannabis-based products. Furthermore,
In light of the growing movement towards health and wellness, which has been accelerated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, health-focused RTD Tea products are brewing interest in the RTD Tea market. This includes increased demand for low-sugar or sugar-free RTD Tea options, as well as healthier variants, such as rooibos