A study by the Nielsen IQ institute compared the prices of products in supermarkets throughout France. Here are the departments where prices are the lowest.
With inflation, it is difficult to know where prices are lowest. However, some regions are much more advantageous than others. A study from the NielsenIQ institute published at the end of May and revealed to Parisian analyzed the prices of mass distribution brands throughout France. The disparity in prices between certain corners of France is glaring and can rise up to 22.9%. This figure can be explained in particular by the gap in customers’ purchasing power. In areas where prices are higher, wages are often higher too. “The brands are adapting to their audience, by offering fewer first prices and private label products, but more organic or premium items, the offer is more upscale,” explained Emmanuel Cannes, from the department distribution of NielsenIQ.
In addition, in these regions, rents for brands are higher, so they need to make more margin. Store size also plays a role. The smaller the surface area, the higher the prices. However, Paris, for example, has many small brands like Franprix, Monoprix and Carrefour express.
Obviously, Ile-de-France is at the top of this price ranking. If we look in more detail at the departments, Paris is in first position, followed by the Ile-de-France departments, particularly in the inner suburbs. Compared to the national average, prices are 20% more expensive in the capital. However, we also find at the top of the ranking Haute-Savoie with Annecy as well as the Rhône with Lyon, but also the Alpes-Maritimes, Bouches-du-Rhône and Var.
It is then better to live in Brittany and more precisely in the Côtes-d’Armor, in the Pays de la Loire with Vendée as well as Mayenne, or even in the Vosges to reduce your shopping budget. In Vendée for example, prices are 2.5% cheaper than the national average for consumer products. In the West of France, one of the keys to understanding these lower prices is found in the geographical location of distributors. Leclerc and Système U dominate the market there. However, Leclerc has made low prices its sales strategy, thus pushing other brands to adapt.
In the South-West, it is the Charente department which stands out for its low prices. It is in the top 5 departments with the cheapest prices for fresh products as well as grocery and hygiene products. In the East, Haute-Marne is also very well placed in terms of the prices of these three types of products as well as those of drinks.
In between, close to the national average, we find in particular the departments located in the center of France. Emmanuel Cannes specifies, however, that whatever the region, the period of high inflation has passed: “For the first time in two years, the prices of the most consumed major brands are in slight deflation.” A start to the beginning of good news.