Consumers compare prices more carefully
“In the last two years, households have been strongly affected by inflation in the food category, which is why during periods such as Easter, consumers compare prices between retail chains even more carefully. In addition, store customers expect price increases in selected categories, e.g. meat, dairy products and eggs, which have historically always increased in price before the holidays,” noted the chief economist of the Blix Group, Dr. Krzysztof Łuczak.
The report shows that for For most consumers, the main criterion for choosing products during pre-Christmas shopping will be price – this was indicated by 81.2 percent. respondents (a year earlier – 79.5%). According to the authors of the report, the increase in its importance shows that the search for opportunities arising from, among others, promotional campaigns become an everyday shopping habit.
Poles are looking for savings
Marcin Lenkiewicz from the Blix Group, in turn, drew attention to geopolitical factors resulting from the situation in the Middle East, which influenced the costs of energy and transport. “This additionally strengthens the feeling of price uncertainty, although we are unlikely to see significant price increases in Polish stores immediately before the holidays. In practice, this means that Poles are not only looking for savings, but are increasingly actively using the leaflets of retail chainswhere they look for information about current promotions,” said the expert.
Other product selection criteria
The second criterion indicated by the respondents was: product quality – from 69.6 percent indications (previously – 65.7%). The following factors took the following places: product coverage in a promotion – 57.8 percent (55.3 percent), own experience – 31 percent (25.1 percent), availability – 15.9 percent (14.7%).
In the opinion of the report’s authors, the increased importance of these criteria shows that consumers no longer want to buy the cheapest products, but rather look for the best value for money in stores, especially during the holiday season.
“The marked increase in the importance of one’s own experiences suggests that consumers increasingly base their decisions on previous purchases and proven brands or products, and not only on marketing communication. This is the result of greater shopping awareness and the huge availability of information on the Internet and shopping applications. At the same time, promotions continue to play a key role, and the Polish FMCG market remains one of the most promotion-driven markets in Europe. Over 30 percent products are sold as part of this type of campaign,” Lenkiewicz added.
The ranking also took into account the following criteria: brand – 9.2 percent (9.8% a year earlier), proximity to the place of purchase – 5.9 percent (4.7%), opinion of family or friends – 3.2 percent (2.7 percent), no queues in the store – 1.7 percent (2.2 percent), advertising – 0.9 percent (1%). No one declared that they would consider the possibility of price negotiation – a year earlier this factor received 0.2%. indications.
The most important categories of food products for consumers
Respondents also indicated the most important categories of food products they intend to buylook for promotional leaflets for the holidays. 65.8 percent survey participants chose meat and cold cutsy. 61.2 percent also plans to look for promotions on fresh fruit and vegetables, and 58.6 percent for cheese, yogurt, cream and other dairy products. The authors of the report noted that retail chains intensively promote these categories.
They took the next places eggs – 54.8 percent, baking products (mixes, flour, cake additives, puddings, etc.) – 43.4%, sweets and desserts (chocolate, pralines, Christmas sweets) – 36.3 percentsauces and additions (mayonnaise, mustards, horseradish, ketchups) – 33.6%, as well as drinks (juices, carbonated and non-carbonated drinks) – 32.5 percent
“Eggs, baking products and sweets have a clear holiday context, but they often constitute a smaller part of the value of the entire basket than meat or fresh products,” Lenkiewicz noted.
According to experts, egg promotions are important, but the key groups where consumers can save the most are meat and dairy products.
In the report by the Blix Group and UCE Research entitled “Poles’ shopping plans for Easter 2026” presented data obtained in an opinion survey of active consumers conducted on March 4-9 this year. on a sample of 1,089 people aged 18-75.
