With an increase of 23% over the past twelve months, as of February 24th, the sales of organic products contribute to 45% of the growth in consumer items and fresh products in supermarkets. Large retail chains like E.Leclerc and Carrefour have understood that the future lies in this market.
Organic products generate a revenue of 8 billion euros [9 billion USD], of which large retailers capture 46%. Thanks to online sales and extended supermarket networks, retail giants have gained market share in recent years. As for specialized stores, such as Biocoop or Bio c’Bon, they capture 36% of the global revenue. Next come the direct sales from producer to consumer with 13%, and artisan bakers, wine merchants and butchers with 5%.
Michel-Edouard Leclerc, president of the E. Leclerc retail chain, clearly identified the needs of the consumers who buy organic products. They seek a healthy diet, from an agriculture that is respectful of the environment, while avoiding over-packaging. That is why he decided to open several stores exclusively dedicated to organic products in order to make up for time lost.
The organic market used to be dominated by Biocoop, which has been existing in France for over 40 years with 530 stores. It is followed by La Vie Claire with 325 stores and Biomonde with 200 stores. Other groups, like Casino, acquired or developed new chains, as in the case of Naturalia with 150 stores.
Since 2013, Carrefour has opened Carrefour Bio stores in Paris. There are now 20, the majority of which are located in the capital. Auchan also took a similar step with Auchan Bio. As for Intermarché, the company has yet to open exclusively organic stores, but it has joined the network Comptoirs de la Bio.
In 12 months, the sales of organic products jumped in supermarkets: 94.2% of French households bought at least once a fresh organic item or consumer product. The sums spent per buyer have seen a spectacular evolution, with 21.20 euros [23.90 USD] more in a year to reach 134.30 euros [151.2 USD]. All circuits combined, the sales of AB (Biological Agriculture) certified products account for 45% of the growth in consumer items and fresh products in supermarkets between February 2018 and February 2019.
Source: lineaires.com
