With the festive season fast approaching, many French consumers are starting to do their Christmas shopping. Despite a persistent inflationary context, consumers are approaching this period with a certain serenity, according to the latest Ipsos survey for the Rakuten marketplace.
This survey was carried out in October 2024 among 2,500 people. The health crisis of 2020 has given way to an economic crisis. For the past two years, a tense financial climate has reigned in France (and the rest of the world).
While the end-of-year festivities are synonymous with frenzied spending, the French are optimistic about their purchasing power. “Nearly half (49%) of respondents think it will remain stable (+11 points versus 2023), and 13% even expect it to improve. This more positive outlook marks a decline in the pessimism that prevailed in previous years: 53% thought their purchasing power would worsen in 2022, compared with 50% in 2023 and 38% in 2024,” comments the polling institute. “With this new-found confidence, only 52% of French people plan to reduce their spending after the holidays.”
Holy Black Friday
Over the past few years, the Black Friday phenomenon, which originated in the United States, has taken hold in France, marking the start of the Christmas shopping season with attractive promotions offered by brands. This year, the French are planning to take advantage of the opportunity to score some bargains. Eight out of ten people intend to do their Christmas shopping on Black …