Megatrends in Brazil
Megatrends in Brazil
Megatrends in Brazil
September 2021
MEGATRENDS IN BRAZIL
Megatrends framework
Megatrends reports provide insight into the eight megatrends identified as being the most important cross-industry
trends that businesses should be focused on during the next 10-15 years. Megatrend analysis helps companies
understand these important market trends, enabling them to assess future impact and proactively build relevant
forward-thinking strategies. This report provides an overview of how these most influential megatrends are impacting
Brazil.
MEGATRENDS IN BRAZIL
Innovative and disruptive companies that understand the drivers shaping the world and the resulting
megatrends use this to execute change from renovation, where a company improves on previous ideas to
increase market share, through to innovation, where a company grows an entire category, and ultimately
disruption, creating new markets where there were none before. Case studies in this report highlight
examples of companies’ responses to megatrends.
Digital living
With broadband penetration still relatively low, Brazilians are mobile-centric. Our survey shows
1 that almost all (96%) of our survey respondents own smartphones, and that popular weekly
mobile activities include banking (74% of respondents) and watching TV/videos (84%).
Brazilians are also amongst the leading users of social media, with 86% of respondents using their
2 phone to access social networks and 95% using messaging apps at least weekly. Furthermore, 52%
of Millennials and 48% of Gen X say it is important to cultivate their personal brand online.
Although 5G had still not been rolled out in Brazil by autumn 2021, there is growing interest in
3 smart home devices. 25% of respondents say they consider smart home functionality to be a key
home feature, while 16% say they already own in-home virtual assistant devices.
Experience more
Brazilians are keen to try new things, both on- and offline. 59% of our survey respondents say it is
1 important to spend money on experiences, while a substantial 84% (versus just 58% of their global
counterparts) say they seek curated experiences tailored to their tastes.
Brazilians are a family-orientated people who like to share experiences with loved ones. As many
2 as 41% of respondents (versus 18% globally) say they prioritise time with extended family. At the
same time, however, 57% still like to have time for themselves.
Despite the pandemic, there is still a strong mall culture, with people meeting at shopping centres
3 for food and entertainment, as well as for window shopping. 44% of Brazilians say they go
shopping for leisure and 35% (compared to 27% globally) go to the cinema at least weekly.
Although Brazil is still a land of extreme income inequality, government programmes in recent
1 decades have lifted millions of people out of poverty. This has created a new lower middle class
consumer base that is driving demand for a range of discretionary products and services.
Nevertheless, the recession of 2015/16 – and more recently COVID-19 – have had a devastating
2 effect on jobs and the economy, making consumers more cost-conscious. A whopping 69% of
Brazilian respondents in our survey (compared with 48% globally) say they like to find bargains.
Brazilians are also more likely than their global counterparts to buy used items or rent items (38%
3 and 23%, respectively). Moreover, only 14% of respondents (versus 20% globally) say they plan to
increase overall spending in the next year and 36% say they will increase visits to discount stores.
Premiumisation
Despite income restraints, consumers appreciate products that provide added value. As many as
1 75% of our survey respondents (compared with 63% globally) say they extensively research the
products and services they consume, and 75% say they like trying new products and services.
Quality is important to Brazilian consumers. 54% (versus just 38% globally) say they would rather
2 buy fewer but higher quality things, whilst 32% say they pick their travel destinations based on the
quality of shopping there.
When purchasing clothing and accessories, 47% of respondents (compared to 35% globally) say
3 they are willing to pay more for high quality. When buying food and drink, 42% (versus 23%
globally) are influenced by strong/well-known brands and 40% are influenced by superior taste.
Brazil is a melting pot of cultures, and before the pandemic affluent consumers were increasingly
1 flying to new destinations. For these reasons, a substantial 89% of Brazilian respondents in our
survey (compared to 68% globally) say it is important to experience other cultures.
Despite the pandemic and that fact that several international brands have left Brazil in recent
2 years due to difficult trading conditions, as many as 79% of respondents (versus 69% globally) say
international products are more readily available to them than they were five years ago.
Since the start of the pandemic, consumers – especially among the older generation – have tried
3 to support local businesses wherever possible. 37% of Baby Boomers say they try to purchase
locally-sourced products, while 34% of this cohort try to shop in locally-owned stores.
28% of consumers are influenced by food and drink products that support local communities
Shopping reinvented
Brazilians enjoy shopping and mall culture is strong. Indeed, our survey reveals that despite the
1 pandemic, half of Millennials still go shopping for leisure at least weekly, while as many as 87% of
all Brazilian respondents say they shop in stores that create engaging experiences.
Various lockdowns and an app-focused lifestyle have led to a boom in e-commerce. Notably, 41%
2 of Millennials say they buy products/services using their mobiles at least weekly, while 39% of Gen
Z say they make purchases using a social media platform.
Subscription services, in particular, have become more popular among young people. 36% of
3 Millennials say they use such services, with their top motivations including convenience (cited by
40% of this cohort) and being able to try a variety of new products (also cited by 40%).
Sustainable living
Conscious consumerism is also growing, especially among the urban middle classes. 44% of
2 respondents (compared to 32% globally) say they buy sustainably produced items, while 36%
(versus 22% globally) say they buy products and services from purpose-driven brands/companies.
Reducing food waste and plastics use are also areas of concern: 70% of survey respondents – far
3 higher than the global average of 59% – say they are trying to reduce food waste, and 67% try to
reduce their use of plastics. Moreover, 71% (compared to 56% globally) say they recycle.
Planet Smart City partners with Enel X for sustainable energy solutions
▪ Planet Smart City partnered with sustainable energy specialist Key takeaways
Enel X in March 2021 to bring smart energy solutions to its ▪ Smart city models offering sustainable
housing projects in Brazil. energy solutions are a growing trend in
▪ The companies will equip Planet Smart’s communities with a developing countries with high housing
variety of IoT-enabled products and services, including deficits.
intelligent streetlights and smart home devices. ▪ Such projects aim to improve the quality of
▪ Planet Smart City currently has four smart city projects life for residents at a low cost to individuals,
underway in Brazil (Laguna, Natal, Aquiraz and Viva!Smart). whilst also promoting inclusivity and
The partnership plans to launch 44,500 housing units by 2025. sustainability.
Wellness
Reflecting Brazil’s growing obesity problem and pandemic-related health concerns, consumers are
1 taking a greater interest in preventative health. As many as 44% of our survey respondents in the
country (compared to 29% globally) say they keep track of the calories they consume.
Consumers are taking a more holistic approach to health that focuses on both the mind and body.
2 50% of respondent say they take health supplements at least weekly; while a substantial 71%
(compared to 55% globally) practice meditation, and 61% take herbal remedies to relieve stress.
Online fitness classes have become popular during the pandemic, with as many as 38% of
3 Millennials saying they take them at least weekly. Outside the home, cycling and running remain
popular, with 40% and 45% of respondents undertaking these activities at least weekly.
34% of Brazilians say they are trying to reduce their meat consumption
Consumers are highly cautious about health and safety amid pandemic
This research from Euromonitor International is part of a global strategic Learn more
intelligence system that offers a complete picture of the commercial To find out more about Euromonitor
International's complete range of business
environment. Also available from Euromonitor International:
intelligence on industries,
Global briefings countries and consumers please visit
Timely, relevant insight published every month on the state of the market, www.euromonitor.com or contact your
emerging trends and pressing industry issues. local Euromonitor International office:
Bangalore +91 (80) 67740500
Interactive statistical database
Cape Town +27 21 524 3000
Complete market analysis at a level of detail beyond any other source. Market
Chicago +1 312 922 1115
sizes, market shares, distribution channels and forecasts.
Dubai +971 4 372 4363
Strategy briefings Dusseldorf +49 211 890 0944
Executive debate on the global trends changing the consumer markets of the Hong Kong +852 3796 3604
future. London +44 0 20 7251 8024
Santiago +56 22 915 7200
Global company profiles
São Paulo +55 11 2970 2150
The competitive positioning and strategic direction of leading companies,
Seoul +82 2 6138 4366
including uniquely sector-specific sales and share data.
Shanghai +86 21 6032 1088
Country market insight reports Singapore +65 6429 0590
The key drivers influencing the industry in each country; comprehensive Sydney +61 0 2 9581 9200
coverage of supply-side and demand trends and how they shape future Tokyo +81 3 3436 2100
outlook. Vilnius +370 5 243 1577