Volume sales of alcoholic drinks in France declined in 2024, though value sales increased. This performance was slightly better compared to the poor results of 2023, particularly in terms of value. The rise in value sales was primarily driven by inflation and, to a lesser extent, continued price increases in certain categories. However, the market continued to struggle due to low consumer confidence - attributed more to a perceived loss of purchasing power than inflation itself - alongside an un

Total beer volumes in France declined again in 2024, marking the third consecutive year of contraction, although the rate of decline eased compared with 2023. French consumers have returned to more moderate consumption patterns. Before 2020, France had been steadily closing its consumption gap by launching hundreds of craft and small-to-medium breweries each year. In value terms, however, beer sales continued to grow, buoyed by inflation and by premiumisation within ale and weissbier/weizen/whea

Total volume sales of spirits in France decreased in 2024. Aside from the post-COVID recovery of 2021–2022, volume sales of spirits have consistently declined during the review period, making spirits a highly affected alcoholic category as consumers embrace moderation and mindful drinking. This downturn reflects steeper declines in mature segments such as most whiskies, aniseed-flavoured spirits (which suffered from poor summer weather, diminishing consumption of the seasonal local pastis), stag

Total volume sales of wine fell in France in 2024, continuing the pattern seen in the previous year, though total value sales increased. This decline in volume reflects a shift by consumers towards premium beers, zero-degree alcohol drinks and soft beverages. Review-period inflationary pressures and the persistent squeeze on purchasing power in 2024 further prompted buyers to trade down from AOC (controlled designation of origin) to IGP (protected geographical indication) labels and, in some cas

Total volume sales of cider/perry decreased in 2024, with the end of 2023 and the first months of 2024 proving the weakest. From mid-2024, however, operators noted a slowing in the rate of decline, driven in part by a near-stabilisation in sales of traditional cidres bouchés (bottles of ciders with corks), the most authentic segment of the overall category. Paradoxically, this levelling-off also reflected stabilised sales of value-for-money private label ranges, running counter to the prevailing

Total volume sales of RTDs increased slightly in France in 2024, signalling a modest but meaningful turnaround after stagnation and decline. Current value sales saw solid rises, reflecting renewed consumer interest despite previously flat performance even as socialising returned to normal and demand for spritz and sangria RTDs grew. The on-trade channel benefited from the reopening of bars and restaurants, complementing the established off-trade footprint, while hard seltzers remained a negligib

Volume sales of cigarettes declined significantly in France in 2024. Taxes rose again in 2024, which resulted in a pack of Marlboro Red 20 (the leading brand) being priced at EUR13.00 by the end of the year, up from EUR11.50 a year previously. Converse to expectations, this did not result in a significant decline in smoking prevalence, even though the image of tobacco is becoming increasingly negative. By the same token, the ongoing sluggish local economic climate did not result in the consumpti

Tobacco saw a marked decline in volume sales in France in 2024. Tobacco is a structurally waning market in the country due to an increasingly negative social attitude towards smoking. More particularly, in 2024, the market also suffered due to the impact of economic conditions, which saw more limited inflation than in the previous year, but a growing consumer feeling of waning purchasing power, as well as higher taxation. As a result, local consumers were highly price-sensitive during the year.

Volume sales of cigars and cigarillos continued to decline in France in 2024. While the category’s fall in sales was not insignificant, it represented a considerably better performance than cigarettes and smoking tobacco. This can be attributed to a persistent offsetting effect after the COVID-19 crisis, lower unit prices than in cigarettes, the ongoing relative success of blond cigarillos and, importantly, the limited presence of counterfeits – it is much more difficult to imitate a cigar or ev

Volume sales of smokeless tobacco still did not officially exist in France in 2024, whilst volume sales of both e-vapour products and heated tobacco products also fell during the year.

Spectacles in France is projected to continue to see slight retail volume and moderate retail current value growth over 2025. While the overall category performance is positive, it is marked by contrasting dynamics between spectacle frames and lenses. Spectacle frames is expected to post a slight drop in retail volume sales and a moderate decline in retail current value sales over 2025. More consumers are opting to retain their existing frames and replace only the lenses as a practical and cost-

Eyewear in France is expected to see good retail volume growth over 2025, above the moderate increase recorded in 2024. Emerging technologies, particularly in myopia control, and the ageing population trend are growth drivers. According to INSEE (L'Institut National de la Statistique et des Etudes Economiques - The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), around 1-in-5 French citizens is in the 65-year-old-and-over cohort. This demographic shift is driving greater demand for visio

Overall, contact lenses and solutions in France is projected to see only a modest increase in retail current value sales over 2025. Growth is led by innovation in daily disposable lenses (DD) and products answering the increasing concerns over childhood myopia. However, cultural preferences and cost-related barriers continue to shape the pace of category development.

Following strong growth in retail volume and current value sales of sunglasses in France in 2022 and 2023, a second consecutive year with slight declines is projected in 2025. Nonetheless, retail volume and current value sales of sunglasses are set to remain above the levels at the beginning of the review period (2020), as well as the 2019 pre-Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic levels. The expected slight decline in retail volume and current value terms over 2025 can partly be seen as a correction

The briefing examines how the business services industry is performing globally and in the largest countries in terms of business services output. The report also provides data for production, market size, imports, exports, industry costs, industry profitability and number of companies.

Consumer Lifestyles provides valuable insights into the key attitudes and current perspectives of consumers, and how these influence their purchasing and consumption behaviours. It quantifies consumer behaviours, preferences and motivations, aligning them with broader trends.

Sales of gardening products saw a small decline in France in current value terms in 2024, driven by economic pressures and shifting consumer behaviours, alongside unfavourable weather conditions. Elevated inflation and reduced disposable income led many households to prioritise essential spending over discretionary categories like gardening in 2024, albeit this decline was softened by the growing interest in sustainability and urban green spaces. Unfavourable weather conditions, including a stor

In 2024, France's home furnishings market experienced a decline in sales in current value terms, reflecting broader economic challenges. This downturn was primarily influenced by reduced consumer purchasing power, leading many to postpone purchases of new home furnishings in anticipation of an improvement in the economic conditions. Additionally, a sluggish housing market further dampened demand, as fewer property transactions typically correlate with decreased furniture sales. The price increas

Sales of home improvement declined in current value terms in 2024, influenced by a combination of economic challenges, evolving consumer behaviours, and external environmental factors. Rising inflation and elevated interest rates diminished household purchasing power, leading many consumers to prioritise essential purchases over discretionary spending, resulting in reduced demand for home improvement products and services. The sluggish property market further exacerbated this trend with fewer ho

Home and garden sales declined in 2024 which was primarily due to the uncertain economic conditions. Sales across all of the key categories declined in current value terms in 2024 as consumers looked to make savings in response to elevated inflation and the rising cost of living. Sales of home furnishings were particularly hard hit by the slowdown in the real estate market while home improvement sales followed a similar pattern as consumers saw a reduction in their purchasing power, with many pr

Sales of homewares saw a significant decline in current value terms in 2024, influenced by several interconnected factors. High inflation and stagnant wage growth eroded disposable incomes, leading consumers to prioritise household essentials over discretionary items like dinnerware and kitchenware. This shift resulted in reduced foot traffic for retailers such as Maisons du Monde and Ikea, as consumers deferred non-essential purchases. Compounding this, a sluggish housing market, marked by weak

Men’s grooming in France saw success in 2024, with volume and value sales increasing throughout except for shaving products. Shaving continues to be negatively impacted by the ongoing trend for facial hair, although as a result of this, there has been a rising number of products developed to focus on beard care. Men’s skin care and hair care have seen good growth as these types of products are now quite mainstream for many French men. A key aspect of men’s grooming is the functionality of the pr

2024 was a complicated year for oral care in France, with volumes falling throughout apart from in mouthwashes/dental rinses, dental floss, and manual toothbrushes. On the other hand, value growth was widespread but excluded mouth fresheners. Despite subsiding inflation, prices have not really fallen, and so consumers have restricted purchases. Electric and battery toothbrushes continued to see strong value growth due to their high prices, but volumes remain stubbornly negative, with many consum

Sales of depilatories in France continued to decline in both value and volume terms in 2024, affected by poor weather and the trend towards more natural beauty. The market remains highly seasonal and 2024’s wet summer weather reduced demand significantly. After the declines seen in purchases of depilatory products in 2023 amid the cost-of-living crisis, acquired purchasing habits have persisted for some consumers and the overall category struggled to see any growth at all in 2024. Depilatories h