The most beautiful gastronomic products are out for the holidays. They are also the most expensive. Starting with foie gras: the sector thus achieves 70% of its annual turnover in a few weeks. In this gourmet frenzy, discounters are present. They promise a complete festive table but at very low prices.
For the past few days, it has been impossible to miss, for example, the oyster baskets in this Aldi store, located in the 13th arrondissement of Paris. “Immediately at the entrance of the store, with the fruits and vegetables, you can also discover oysters, like these from Oléron, in the red label. The basket of 24 is 10.99 euros, details Flavia in the shelves. We have foie gras, chicken, turkey … We really guarantee this price promise, it is the discount model that we fully assume. ”
All the traditional festive products are there, therefore, and at low prices, thanks to a proven strategy: “We offer a more restricted range. If we take the example of foie gras, we will have four to five references available in our stores, while, in other brands, you will have around twenty references. The fact of having few products allows us to massify our purchases and to offer a controlled price.“, explains the marketing director of the channel, Aurélie Taude.
Among the customers, Bernard fully intends to take advantage of the discount offers to receive his two sons at Christmas: “We can very well have a nice party with products from Lidl or Aldi. And that matters a lot, especially when you have a small retirement like mine, 700 euros. (…) At Christmas and New Years, we will party anyway!“
If Bernard confides without batting an eyelid openly telling his guests to do his Christmas shopping at low prices, it is not always so easy to show off his suppliers. “For a part of society, these are smart purchases that make you feel better. And on the one hand, these are forced purchases“, analyzes Jean-Pierre Poulain, professor of sociology at the University of Toulouse.”I still think we have to realize that, especially since the crisis, a million people have fallen below the poverty line. Having fun with products that are not very expensive is important. “
“There is a foie gras for the rich and a foie gras for the less rich.”
Jean-Pierre Poulain, sociologistto franceinfo
“We can consider it acceptable that a champagne can be replaced by a Champagne method which will cost half the price. And the party will not be bad either!” he assures.
According to the annual CSA barometer carried out for Cofidis, the French plan to spend less this year at Christmas, with an average of 533 euros in total, or 49 euros less than last year, of which 129 euros for the Christmas meal, or 17 euros less than last year.
Festive meals at low prices: report by Sophie Auvigne
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