A study commissioned by French retailer E.Leclerc has found that almost all French consumers (96%) are feeling the impact of rising costs in their shopping baskets.
As a result of this inflation, more than 7 out of 10 French consumers have already had to give up spending on certain products to limit the impact of rising prices on their wallets.
Having access to quality food is compromised for more than 8 out of 10 consumers, the study found, in particular because the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables are too high.
Purchasing Power Concerns
Purchasing power remains one of the main concerns of French consumers.
Due to the current inflationary context, nearly eight out of 10 French people (77%) say that their purchasing power has decreased.
This data from E.Leclerc shows greater prevalence among those aged 60 and over, with 83% making the same observation.
Other expenses are a concern as well, with 9 out of 10 French people noting an impact of the rise in the prices of electricity and gasoline on their purchasing power.
Consumption Habits
As a direct consequence of an economic situation marked by soaring food, fuel, and raw material prices, many have changed their consumption habits.
Some 71% have already had to give up spending on certain items to limit the impact of rising prices on their wallet.
Leisure (66%) and clothing (64%) are the first items of expenditure to be sacrificed by French consumers.
Nearly 6 out of 10 consumers (58%) had to restrict their purchases of foodstuffs, due to the rise in prices.
Read More: Prices Of Frequently Purchased Goods In France Rise 2.9% In April: INSEE
Purchasing Habits
Looking at the product categories most affected by rising prices, E.Leclerc found that 46% of French people have reduced their consumption of meat and fish and 38% have reduced their purchases of fresh fruit and vegetables.
When it comes to their average shopping basket, French households devote an average of €29.50 per week to the purchase of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Some 69% of French consumers declare that they deprive themselves of fruit and vegetables regularly because they are too expensive, while 81% of low-income households and 68% of those under 35 regularly deprive themselves of fruit and vegetables for the same reasons.
Changing Strategy
In an attempt to reduce the impact of inflation on their shopping, French consumers have already implemented several strategies.
Nearly 4 out of 10 French people (36%) buy less expensive products, a quarter (23%) buy products in smaller quantities, and 1 out of 5 French people say they consume less.
Another striking fact is that a quarter of young people (23%) say they ask for help with food and 12% use food banks (vs. 3% of the population as a whole).
Read More: E.Leclerc Launches 'Anti-Inflation Shield'
Reliance On Supermarkets
Although there are many places to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, French consumers are turning to supermarkets the most to make their purchases.
With this in mind, 94% of French people believe that supermarkets have a role to play in providing quality food for almost all French people who do most of their shopping there, including fruit and vegetables.
Nearly 9 out of 10 French people expect supermarkets to only offer seasonal fruit and vegetables, from environmentally friendly (87%) and local (81%) production.
The study was carried out by Ipsos for the E.Leclerc New Consumption Observatory on a representative national sample of 1,000 people aged 18 and over, interviewed online from April 26 to April 30.
