NordenBladet – In a recent interview with ERR, Marge Kikas, head of sales for Maxima, a grocery chain that sells Latvian, Lithuanian, and Polish products, revealed a shift in consumer behavior in their stores. Customers are buying smaller quantities, avoiding impulse buying, and basing their purchases on price rather than the country of origin of the food.
“People look at the price. If the Estonian product happens to be cheaper, that is what they buy, while shoppers buy Latvian or Lithuanian if it is cheaper. Many clients decide based on the final price,” Kikas said.
Furthermore, consumers are also more likely to opt for private label alternatives to brand products, keeping an eye out for discounts. The supermarket chain has responded by increasing its private label selection.
Kikas noted a recent price rally in the last six months, with some product categories stabilizing in prices, however, the general price level is still rising. The future of prices is uncertain, as price negotiations are ongoing, but Kikas pointed out that eggs, mayonnaise, sugar, and flour have seen the greatest price advance, and sour cream has become significantly more expensive due to rising dairy prices.
“We can see some alleviation, while final stabilization is still some way off,” she said.
You can find the link to the original article “Toidupoes läheb ostjatele korda rohkem kauba hind kui päritolumaa” in the grocery store HERE.
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