Asia's consumer sector M&A to increase 21% to US$125.9b in 2018

This is highly due to the rising GDP throughout the region.

Baker McKenzie’s Global Transactions Forecast, in association with Oxford Economics, announced their forecast on Asia’s M&A activity in the consumer sector to increase by 21% to US$125.9b in 2018, from US$104b last year.

This increase will be driven by the rising GDP across Asia, and the retailers’ pursuit of younger and internet savvy consumers.

Listings in Asia Pacific caused the resurgence in the sector last year, specifically in China, which raised US$7.8b worth of capital.

“This trend is expected to continue as consumer and retail companies look to tap the expanding middle class, growing consumer markets, and rise of online shopping,” Baker McKenzie said.

Further, global consumer transactions are predicted to increase to US$632.6b in 2018, with North America totaling US$304.4b, Europe with US$178.6b, Latin America with US$17.3b, and Africa and the Middle East with US$6.4b.