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Consumerism

Shoppers in France eating meat less regularly, reveals survey

Was the drop linked to environmental, health or economic concerns?

French shops are often shut – but is that such a bad thing?

A recent trip back to the UK has Gillian Harvey wondering whether retailers in France should be doing more to prioritise customer convenience

Inflation in France slowing but fresh food prices still up 11% in year

Provisional figures show that the annual inflation rate is lower this month than in August. Food prices are still high with sunflower oil up 137% year-on-year

practical

Is there a Money Saving Expert equivalent in France?

'UFC-Que Choisir' has a detailed website, free newsletter sign-up and a word or category search function for products you want to compare

Why the price of beer may rise in France in the coming weeks

Breweries have warned that the growing cost of raw materials, energy and packaging might have a knock on effect on the consumer if retailers do not take steps to protect them

Lidl’s internet-sensation trainers back on sale in France

One pair of the multi-coloured shoes available in stores for €12.99 was sold online for €1,200

French senators suggest environmental charge for home parcel delivery

Senators are worried about the environmental impact as home deliveries have boomed during the health crisis

Black Friday in France: Row erupts over possible sales delay

As the economy minister calls for the shopping event to be delayed, shopkeepers call for reopening and a consumer group for more regulation

Disposable masks can be reused 10 times says French group

Surgical style face masks remain effective after machine washing up to 10 times, UFC-Que Choisir has said, saving both money and the environment

France: Foie gras sold at super-low prices in legal loophole

The exception to the usual law can be obtained by direct request, allowing producers to sell at super-low prices at this popular time of year.

French superstore chain trials till time booking system

Carrefour allows customers to pre-book checkout slots at one major store

Supermarkets in France start selling second-hand goods

Supermarkets and hypermarkets in France are to start selling second-hand items, with the Système U group starting last week with sites in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and Pays de la Loire.

Fight plastic waste: Refill water bottles at French store

Shoppers in France can now buy self-service filtered water in bulk, as more consumers are choosing to buy their food using their own reusable containers, in a bid to cut down on plastic packaging and waste.

Where to find discount stores in France

Pay less for déstockage products at factory outlets

France shopping less at hypermarkets, says Auchan

French people are becoming less likely to shop at huge hypermarkets, retail group Auchan has said, as it announces some 677 “voluntary redundancies” and a new plan to revive its stores.

Car hire firm Goldcar angers European consumers

More than 1,500 complaints about car hire firm Goldcar Rental were received by consumer network Le Centre Européen des Consommateurs last year, it has said, ahead of a meeting on the issue this week.

French giant Carrefour presents ‘transformation’ plans

French supermarket giant Carrefour has launched a new “transformation” plan to revitalise declining hypermarkets in France.

Fan and aircon sales up 400% in France before heatwave

Sales of fans and air conditioning units have shot up by as much as 400% in some parts of France this week as residents prepare for the heatwave that is forecast to hit next week.

European white goods reclassified on new energy scale

White goods sold in France (and the EU) from March 2021 are to feature an updated “energy rating” sticker, with the current classifications of “A+”, “A++” and “A+++” replaced by a new scale from A to G.

The least-contaminated fruit and veg to eat in France

A new TV report on pesticides including the controversial herbicide glyphosate has drawn up a list of the best fruits and vegetables to eat in France to avoid the worst chemical residues.

Amazon France accused of destroying 3m unsold items

Online giant Amazon has been accused of destroying up to three million unsold-but-new items from its warehouses in France in the past year alone.

French supermarkets banned from super-low promotions

Supermarkets in France are no longer allowed to run “super-promotions” on any food product, under a new law, in a move that could cost shoppers hundreds of euros per year.

France fines white goods brands €189m for price fixing

Six major white goods brands, including Electrolux and Whirlpool, have been fined €189 million by French consumer agency la DGCCRF for their role in a secret price-fixing agreement.

Study questions beef content of ready meals in France

The amount of beef in “beef-based” ready meals sold in France can vary by as much as 50%, a consumer study has found, with more expensive options not necessarily better than cheaper varieties.

Growing trend is for a simple life in the country

Many people move to France in search of a slower “less-is-more” lifestyle with consumerism taking a backseat to family and reduced stress. Now this is becoming the target of more and more French people.

Consumerism

Shoppers in France eating meat less regularly, reveals survey

French shops are often shut – but is that such a bad thing?

Inflation in France slowing but fresh food prices still up 11% in year

Is there a Money Saving Expert equivalent in France?

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