If Christmas is fast approaching, the festivities may be less radiant than last year. “More than a third of French people feel in a less positive state of mind than in 2022,” underlines a study carried out by Toluna and Harris Interactive for the Federation of e-commerce and distance selling ( Fevad). Among the first concerns is the surge in prices, with 83% of French people who “declare that inflation will have an impact on their end-of-year holiday purchases”.
Many star Christmas products thus recorded strong inflation over one year, such as smoked salmon (13.4%), chestnuts and chestnuts (12.8%), toast bread (16.6%), Saint -Frozen Jacques (7.9%) or fresh foie gras (13.5%), according to data from panelist Circana. The French will have their eyes glued to their wallets and they plan to spend less than last year, with an overall budget of 369 euros this year compared to 404 euros in 2022. On the Internet, spending is also on the rise. decrease, from 279 euros last year, to 229 euros for 2023.
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Christmas represents a significant expense for families, who do not hesitate to anticipate their expenses. “More than two thirds of French people say they have already made Christmas purchases on the Internet and more than three quarters intend to do so in 2023,” states the report. Among the highlights is Black Friday, which takes place on November 24. Some take advantage of this opportunity to buy their Christmas gifts, like 62% of French people and 74% of those under 35. To perpetrate the magic of Christmas, nearly a third of consumers plan to use “credit or split purchases”, notes the study. Young people are also more interested in this solution, 43% of them, compared to only 12% for people aged 50 and over. “It’s a symbol of the economic crisis,” Marc Lolivier, the general delegate of Fevad, told Le Parisien. People can’t buy cash but still want to treat themselves at Christmas. If split payment is an underlying trend, it becomes an argument for closing your budget during the holidays.”
At the foot of the tree, the gifts “planned remain close to 2022” with games, toys, beauty products, cultural products, clothing, jewelry, technical products and household appliances and even consoles. But “cultural products should be purchased more, to the detriment” of technological references, predict Toluna and Harris Interactive. Second-hand items will also be proudly offered, particularly for more than half of those under 35. If the gift is not popular, there is a good chance that it will appear on online resale sites a few days later. “The resale of gifts appeals to a third of French people and 50% of those under 35; in this period of inflation, a quarter of this population even indicates that they are ready to resell gifts to create additional income,” explains the ‘analysis.