Summary
Key Market Trends
* Growth despite economic downturn: France witnessed the beginning of the economic downturn by the end of 2008 which drastically decreased the purchasing power of the consumers in France. Taking the full year into consideration, the French retail market showed stable growth in the year 2008. The overall retail growth in the first half of the year was partly due to a strong performance in non-grocery retailing. Other factors that supported the retail growth were rising grocery prices and the growing adoption of online retailing. However, as the recession set in towards the end of 2008, the retail market in France started to lose its impetus with a consequent slowdown in sales.
* Changing Consumer Behaviour: With recession hitting the French economy, the budget deficit is forecast to increase to €140 billion ($196 billion) in 2009, which accounts for 7.5% of GDP as compared with 3.4% in 2008. The deficit will make it harder for the government to put money in consumers' wallets through tax cuts or public spending. It may also lead to expectation of higher taxes ahead which would persuade people to save more. Consumers in France are likely to reduce their expenditure, including food and clothes, in order to save money for the tough time ahead.
Key Channel Trends
* Discount stores benefit in recession: In the second half of 2008 as the economic downturn was setting in, discounters gained share in the grocery sector as consumers resorted to low-price goods. Discounters continued to attract new customers in spite of their low-end positioning in terms of quality. The trend is expected to continue as the French government has plans to modify the grocery retailing pattern leading to further reduction in prices.
* Increase in home improvement & gardening trend: The non-grocery retail segment outperformed grocery retailing in France in the year 2008. The sales of non-grocery retailers were driven primarily by home and garden specialist retailers, with a trend towards home improvement and gardening amongst French consumers.
* Online retailing gaining popularity: Online retailing has been gaining popularity among consumers recently for its convenience and its round-the-clock availability. French consumers are now used to ordering food, clothes, vitamins and dietary supplements, and other items online. With improved payment security provided by internet retailers, and virtual stores providing the same services (such as after-sales services and delivery) as physical stores, it also helps consumers to save on time and traveling expenses.
Key Category Trends
* Dominance of food & groceries: Food & drinks dominate retail sales in all countries, due to their vital importance in everyday life. In France, the food and grocery category accounted for around 52% of the total retail market in the year 2008. Unpackaged food had the largest contribution to the category sales with sales value of $183.5bn and registering CAGR of 3.7% over the period 2004-08.
* Sports & leisure products recording maximum growth: The sports and leisure products has been recording maximum growth during the period 2004-08 with a CAGR of 6.0%. Though the category does not contribute much to the overall retail sector in France, the category has high growth prospects in future.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Introduction
Market Environment
Channel Analysis: France Retail Market
Channel Analysis: Discount Retailers
Channel Analysis: General Retailers
Channel Analysis: Specialist Retailers
Channel Analysis: Online Retailers
Category Analysis: France Retail Market
Category Analysis: Apparel, Accessories & Luxury Goods
Category Analysis: Books, News & Stationery
Category Analysis: Electricals & Electronics
Category Analysis: Food & Groceries
Category Analysis: Furniture & Floor Coverings
Category Analysis: Home & Garden Products
Category Analysis: Music, Video & Entertainment Software
Category Analysis: Sports & Leisure Equipment
Company Profile: Carrefour S.A
Company Profile: Groupe Auchan, S.A.
Company Profile: Association des Centres Distributeurs E.Leclerc
Company Profile: ITM Entreprises
Company Profile: Casino Guichard-Perrachon
Company Profile: Systeme U Centrale Nationale S.A
Company Profile: PPR S.A.
Company Profile: LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SA
Deal Analysis
Appendix
