In the last 30 years, world merchandise and commercial services trade have increased by about 7 per cent per year on average, reaching a peak of $18 trillion and $4 trillion respectively in 2011, as stated in the 2013 World Economic Report. In addition, the World Trade Organisation reports that world trade is expected to grow by 4.7 per cent in 2014 and at a slightly faster rate of 5.3 per cent in 2015.
The growth in international trade has resulted in multinational companies as well as nations competing for consumers. Further, globalisation gives nations the chance to distribute their products all over the world, and presents the opportunity for consumers to choose between different types of products.