French swapping champagne and smoked salmon for cheaper options

PARIS, Jan 18 — Sales of champagne and smoked salmon declined this past holiday season in France as frugal consumers opted for cheaper alternatives, market researchers NielsenIQ said yesterday. Sales of champagne in mid and large-size supermarkets fell 14 per cent in volume terms in the final two months of 2023 compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, sales of other varieties of sparkling wine rose 4.6 per cent. “Downgrading is a reality, even at Christmas,” NielsenIQ said. Food prices in France have risen 20 per cent overall during the past two years. Smoked salmon sales fell 6.7 per cent in volume terms during the last two months of the year while smoked trout, generally less expensive, rose 11 per cent.…