Renault has taken another significant step in its return to the Sri Lankan market with the opening of the Renault Experience Centre at Majestic City, Colombo, offering customers an opportunity to discover the brand and experience its latest models.

The Centre was officially declared open by Jawahar Ganesh, Group Managing Director of Associated Motorways (Private) Limited, accompanied by Prasanna de Silva, Director – Sales, AMW. The occasion was attended by AMW management and staff, members of the media, customers, well-wishers and other invited guests.

Located at the lobby of Majestic City, the Centre features three Renault models being introduced to the Sri Lankan market – the Renault Kwid, Renault Kiger and Renault Triber. Visitors can explore the vehicles, learn about their features and specifications, and take advantage of test drives available at the location.

Adding to the convenience for customers, AMW has ample stocks of Renault vehicles available in Sri Lanka, allowing customers to take delivery of their chosen vehicle without having to wait for months for it to arrive. Subject to completion of the necessary documentation and registration, customers can look forward to driving away in their new Renault within as little as one day, making the purchase experience faster and more convenient.

Customers can also enjoy greater peace of mind with a three-year manufacturer warranty, supported by dedicated Renault aftersales facilities to provide professional service and support throughout their ownership journey.

Commenting on the opening, Jawahar Ganesh, Group Managing Director of AMW, said, “We are delighted to welcome Renault back to Sri Lanka and to open the Renault Experience Centre at Majestic City. Renault is a brand with an exceptional heritage, a strong global presence and a reputation for innovation and distinctive automotive design. Through AMW, we are bringing that heritage and experience closer to Sri Lankan customers”.

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, marked the beginning of Breast Cancer Awareness Month by illuminating its Corporate Head Office in pink, in partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust, to stand in solidarity with individuals and families affected by breast cancer and encourage greater awareness, regular screening and early detection.

 Building on previous breast cancer awareness campaigns conducted through Dialog’s Yeheli.lk platform in collaboration with the Indira Cancer Trust, this year’s initiative will continue throughout October under the theme, ‘A Pledge from the Heart’. As part of the campaign, members of the public can visit yeheli.lk to register for a free monthly SMS reminder and take their pledge for early detection throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Boston Consulting Group (BCG) released a report, “The Changing Path to Purchase in Sri Lanka,” in collaboration with The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. It examines how Sri Lanka discovers, selects and transacts in a recovering economy. Six years on from BCG’s first study of the Sri Lankan consumer in 2020, the report set out to establish where that consumer now stands.

Sri Lanka has gone through a period of sustained economic pressure, and household consumption has recovered to a record level. The crisis, however, redrew where spending power sits and how families allocate what they have. It prompted shifts in consumer behaviour, some of which persist even after conditions have eased.

Key findings from the report

Rural Sri Lanka carries the middle-class scale, affluent households spend above their weight: Household consumption stands at a record level of around LKR 9 trillion in real terms and remains the largest component of GDP. The middle class is the largest consumption pool at about 70% of national spending, with rural Sri Lanka accounting for 56% of middle-class households. Affluent households are increasingly concentrated in the Urban-West and account for 4% of all households, while contributing 11% of national consumption.

Choices are more intentional and preference must be re-earned: More brands enter the consideration set than in 2020, yet fewer convert into a single preferred brand. Incumbent channels lag on some key choice drivers, giving newer channels a right to win.

Spending intent runs ahead of income: 77% of consumers expect to spend more over the next six months, while 38% expect their income to rise. Consumers expect to spend more on essentials, hold everyday categories and cut back or defer discretionary purchases in the shorter term.

Discovery remains human-led, while the shortlist digitises: Word of mouth is still the strongest source of influence at 66%, while digital influence has risen to 51% from 32% in 2020, running highest in considered purchases like leisure and high-value purchases. Within digital, YouTube and social media lead discovery.

Generative AI is emerging as the next discovery frontier: 55% of consumers are aware of it and 18% have already used it, with about one in three using it to research brands and products.

Digital banking sees deep engagement: 25% of consumers use digital banking, but they are highly engaged. Digital payments are their preferred choice for routine transactions.

“Consumption has recovered to a record level, but the household behind that number is not the one companies planned for before the crisis. Essentials take a larger share of the wallet, and families are making more deliberate choices, category by category,” said Nishant Gupta, Managing Director & Senior Partner, BCG.