Consumer goods market up by 18% in Q1

In the first quarter of the year, the consumer goods market maintained its 18% increase, as against the similar period last year, influenced both by a 10% higher price paid by households, and a 7% richer shopping basket, according to a survey conducted by GfK Romania.

"Even if they paid 8% more for basic foodstuffs, consumers have not decreased the consumption of categories such as dairy products, pasta or coffee. When referring to basic non-food products (detergents, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) they were bought less frequently, but the quantity purchased at a bill of sale was 6.5% higher, according to the GfK survey.

In Bucharest, the amount of large consumption goods continues to be on an upward trend, the consumers that are most sensitive to price increases being those located in Moldova.

The consumers have also increasingly oriented to other forms of modern trade, being attracted by special offers, so the neighbourhood supermarkets, but also the traditional stores were the most affected by the crisis, registering slightly lower volumes, as compared to the previous period.

Among the families most affected by price increases for all categories of products are those with a low or medium income and family head's age between 40 - 49 years. However, there are families who, even in the current economic context, consume more. They are characterised by high income and the head of the family has university studies.

The GfK survey is based on data obtained through continuous household panel survey. The sample consists of 2200 households and is nationally representative.
GfK Romania is the largest market research institute in Romania, with a turnover of 9.1 million euros in 2008. GfK Group has 130 representations, offices and active participations in over 90 countries and approximately 10,000 employees.

Curierul National