2023-09-05 18:19:00
According to our colleagues from the newspaper Le Soir, Belgians from the three border provinces have almost doubled their purchases in French supermarkets in two years.
Belgians are looking for bargains. Even if it means traveling a few more kilometres. According to a study by the GSK office, the results of which were published in the newspaper Le Soir, more and more consumers have become accustomed to shopping in France. The inhabitants of the provinces of Namur, Hainaut and Luxembourg have almost doubled their purchases in French supermarkets in 2 years. The prices of consumer products are indeed lower there.
83% more purchases in France
“We have the impression that the border has moved back a few meters, there are almost more Belgians than French”, notes Jean-Marie, a French supermarket customer questioned in the parking lot of his store. And for good reason: the inhabitants of the provinces of Hainaut, Namur and Luxembourg have increased their purchases by 83% in France in one year.
Alcohol, potatoes, bread, dairy products, the cleints are firm: “It’s much cheaper” et “unaffordable”.
Alexiane comes from Charleroi for her shopping. She calculated her annual earnings from shopping on the other side of the border. The result is impressive to say the least: “I save between €2,500 and €3,000 annually”she announces, in particular thanks to the vouchers offered by the stores.
These new habits inevitably lead to losses for the chains: more than 2.8 billion € for our stores according to Comeos, the Belgian Federation of Commerce and Services.
Some products also remain cheaper in Belgium: this is the case for fruit and vegetables as well as meat.
Inflation responsible for rising prices
According to GSK, this significant increase in cross-border purchases is explained by inflation (which is lower in France). However, the study also shows that some products are actually more expensive in France than in our country. Thus, the consumer association Test-Achats advises Belgians to continue to buy fresh fish at home, as well as meat, fruit and vegetables.
A study should explain why prices are higher here
Asked regarding the inflationary surge, the Minister of the Economy, Pierre-Yves Dermagne, believes that the evolution of prices here follows the trend of neighboring countries. According to him, we are at the same level as the Netherlands. The price observatory must submit a study this fall to understand why prices are cheaper in our neighbours.
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