Shopping carts less and less full. Faced with inflation, the French reduced their purchases in the first quarter. According to the Circana Institute (ex-IRI), the volume of sales in supermarkets during the first three months of the year fell 5% compared to 2022 and 0.6% compared to 2019.
Driven by the rise in prices, the turnover of large distribution increased by 9.1% in the first quarter compared to last year (+18.1% vs. 2019).
This trend continued in the last week of the quarter with sales in value up 7% and sales in volume down 9.2% between March 27 and April 2 compared to the same week of the previous year, after the -7.2% from the previous week.
Strong increase in foie gras sales for Easter
The acceleration in the drop in sales in volume during the last week of March comes mainly from the salty food department (-18.3% in the last week of March compared to 2022), and especially from the collapse in oil sales (-53.1% %) and starches (-26.4%). This drop is mainly explained by a base effect, while the savory foods department was taken by storm last year due to French concerns over shortages.
After salty foods, the cleaning department (-17%) and the Pharmaceuticals, Perfumery, Hygiene department (-15.5%) registered the largest falls in volume. In particular, because purchases of parapharmacy products and accessories (masks and gels) plummeted (-52.8%) in a context of improved sanitary conditions. No doubt also because these products are the first victims of French arbitration in a context of inflation.
Some products still work fine. Volume sales of foie gras (+102%) and sparkling wines (+16.5%) have increased considerably. At issue, the Easter celebrations that took place a week earlier this year compared to 2022.
Source: BFM TV
