Grocery Prices In France

nc6000

Currently on hols in France and can't get over some of the price differences between here and Ireland. A can of Coke is 36c without any offers. What is the cheapest this would be at home? Maybe 80c? 2 litres of water is 16c. What explanation is there for the differences in price?

Jarren

cost of living ,wages and usual....

Hal Emmerich

greed

Nanazolie

rents, wages, less shiping (road transports will always be cheaper), VAT (it's much cheaper on food than here). Minimum wage is much lower in France.
Now, some prices are cheaper like fruits and vegs because of the availability: you can't expect a pound of apricots to be the same price in France where they are grown in fields nearby than in Ireland where they have been shipped hundreds miles.
Some prices are dearer in France, mind you: check the milk and butter (plus the milk in long life and absolutely yuck), meat, etc... A cappuccino will cost you near 3 or 4 euros, although you can get a nice expresso for a euro.

seanmc1980

its quiet simple, its not greed as pointed out earlier, Rent is very high in ireland, Wages are very high in ireland, rates are very high in ireland, electricty is very high in ireland, that 90% of teh purchase prise taken care of, these cost have to be passed on, you can hardly expect the grocer to take a hit on these charges?

ntlbell

try a holiday in Thailand.

or move to france.

maxer68

Try buying a beer in a pub in paris - €9.50 about 3 weeks ago.

The OP also is not saying whether its part of a multi pack, bought in a supermarket or bought in a small store.

2L of water is it purified water or spring water. - Isn't a basic 2l bottle spring about 50c in lidl / Aldi / tesco. - deduct the vat and it about 41c

Can of coke bought in tray is about 40c (9.99 for tray of 24 in local eurospar), in a 6 pack its 50c (€3 per pack) and singly its about 80c - €1

But then just like a good tabloid, the real facts are ignored to make way for a dramatic headline.

maxer68

seanmc1980 wrote: »

, electricty is very high in ireland,

not anymore - electricity is cheaper in Ireland than most european countries these days, - I think we're either 5th cheapest or 6th cheapest.

bryaner

maxer68 wrote: »

Try buying a beer in a pub in paris - €9.50 about 3 weeks ago.

The OP also is not saying whether its part of a multi pack, bought in a supermarket or bought in a small store.

2L of water is it purified water or spring water. - Isn't a basic 2l bottle spring about 50c in lidl / Aldi / tesco. - deduct the vat and it about 41c

Can of coke bought in tray is about 40c (9.99 for tray of 24 in local eurospar), in a 6 pack its 50c (€3 per pack) and singly its about 80c - €1

But then just like a good tabloid, the real facts are ignored to make way for a dramatic headline.

Think the OP's can was a single purchase, also €9.50 for a pint/ half litre can be paid by mugs in Paris(Avenue des Champs-Elysees), Amsterdam(Dam square) etc etc but a mile walk and you will get the same for €2.50-€3.50

maxer68

bryaner wrote: »

Think the OP's can was a single purchase, also €9.50 for a pint/ half litre can be paid by mugs in Paris(Avenue des Champs-Elysees), Amsterdam(Dam square) etc etc but a mile walk and you will get the same for €2.50-€3.50

The OP doesn't say that, so it can't be assumed. Last time I was in Nice, I noticed very little difference in convenience goods such as minerals, bottles of water, ice creams etc. from the standard corner shops.

Just like here, you pay a premium in bigger cities, centre towns, small shops etc. Too many people try to compare walmart style shops with their local gala to make them feel like they are getting better value, the reality is quite different.

bryaner

maxer68 wrote: »

The OP doesn't say that, so it can't be assumed. Last time I was in Nice, I noticed very little difference in convenience goods such as minerals, bottles of water, ice creams etc. from the standard corner shops.

Just like here, you pay a premium in bigger cities, centre towns, small shops etc. Too many people try to compare walmart style shops with their local gala to make them feel like they are getting better value, the reality is quite different.

What kind of people use this comparison? No one I know..

Also can = singular..

nc6000

Coke was purchased in the supermarket (Intermarche) and was a single can. Water was just a normal 2L bottle of drinking water.

bryaner

Dam me and my assuming..

Skopzz

nc6000 wrote: »

Currently on hols in France and can't get over some of the price differences between here and Ireland. A can of Coke is 36c without any offers. What is the cheapest this would be at home? Maybe 80c? 2 litres of water is 16c. What explanation is there for the differences in price?

I'm guessing because Irish consumers are happy to keep buying from the same greedy middlemen? That usually keeps the price high. Plus, whenever there are price rises, Irish consumers don't punish them by cutting back until they lower the price again. There's also little competition in Ireland since we have Dunnes Stores and Tesco (both predators). We need Carrefour and Wal-Mart in Ireland.

I never buy Coca Cola. I always buy Aldi brand cola for EUR0.36.

ejmaztec

Skopzz wrote: »

I'm guessing because Irish consumers are happy to keep buying from the same greedy middlemen? That usually keeps the price high. Plus, whenever there are price rises, Irish consumers don't punish them by cutting back until they lower the price again. There's also little competition in Ireland since we have Dunnes Stores and Tesco (both predators). We need Carrefour and Wal-Mart in Ireland.

I never buy Coca Cola. I always buy Aldi brand cola for EUR0.36.

Also predators

Skopzz

ejmaztec wrote: »

Also predators

That's merely a generalization.

parsi

Own-brand still water is incredibly cheap in French Supermarkets - we go every year and there is one local brand that costs 12c (or therabouts) per 1.5 litre bottle.

Dairy products seem to be on a par with here but fresh milk in supermarkets is dearer than here. Branded nappies and toiletries are the same price as here (though I recall that nappies used to be dearer over there).

Fruit and Veg is more resonable - a lot of it is local, cooked-meat are better value with a much wider range.

Baguettes and pain-de-compagne are way cheaper over there especially from the supermarket industrial bakeries.

Run_to_da_hills

Try purchasing anything in the centre of Paris and you will know all about it.

keithclancy

I just went back to Ireland for 2 weeks, living in the Netherlands, just near the Belgian border.

Drove over and stopped off in the UK on the way.

the 4 Liters of Clearview mineral water for 90cent isn't bad in Tesco.

IMO depends what your buying really, but in General stuff over here (Netherlnads/Belgium) costs around the same.

The biggest saving is around Wine, Beer and Cigarettes.

UK has turned much more expensive, went to a local tesco in Coventry on the weekend and it was waaayy more expensive than a Tesco I was in, in Cork just 3 days prior.

In General though i've found that Carrefour and Intermarche aren't great when it comes to the quality of stuff. Got a bunch of steaks in Super Valu when I was home and the quality was top notch and about half the price of the Greenfields brand in Albert Heijn (Irish Imported Steak)

Hogzy

So what OP. If you go to thailand you would probably get it for half that again. Then go to Laos and you could probably buy a can of coke for 10c.

falabo

seanmc1980 wrote: »

its quiet simple, its not greed as pointed out earlier, Rent is very high in ireland, QUOTE]

rents are very high because of GREED

reprazant

Water is cheap on the continent because the tap water can be unsafe so therefore the vast majority drink bottled water.

Also, who ever said that beer is the same price in France as here is talking crap. It is massively expensive all over France.

Nanazolie

reprazant wrote: »

Water is cheap on the continent because the tap water can be unsafe so therefore the vast majority drink bottled water.

Also, who ever said that beer is the same price in France as here is talking crap. It is massively expensive all over France.

You'll have to stick to wine, then :rolleyes:

I'm from France and had never heard of the tap water being unsafe there. In some places the taste is not great, but it is generally safe. And doesn't contain fluor.
Tap water is not free in France. Actually, I think Ireland is the only country in Europe that doesn't (yet) pay charge for water.

beagle001

Hogzy wrote: »

So what OP. If you go to thailand you would probably get it for half that again. Then go to Laos and you could probably buy a can of coke for 10c.

Not true Laos is more expensive than Thailand for food and drink.

Skopzz

keithclancy wrote: »

(Irish Imported Steak)

Personally, I don't care where the meat is from (so long as it's from the EU). Quality comes at a price. I'm happy to shop in Aldi where I can buy 4 chicken fillets for just EUR2.50. If that was Irish chicken, I would be paying up to EUR5.00. In essence, the current grocery market is price sensitive.

keithclancy

Skopzz wrote: »

Personally, I don't care where the meat is from (so long as it's from the EU). Quality comes at a price. I'm happy to shop in Aldi where I can buy 4 chicken fillets for just EUR2.50. If that was Irish chicken, I would be paying up to EUR5.00. In essence, the current grocery market is price sensitive.

You say that now, live in Holland for a few years, then go back to Ireland and have a Sirloin steak totally different.

Ireland are world renouned for breeding and raring cattle.

I prefer my food to be traceable to origin.

While I like to save money as much as everyone, going cheap on something you put into your body isn't for me.

With the 'cheap chicken' always check if it states 'injected with water or proteins' on the label.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/food_and_drink/article1980529.ece

rubadub

nc6000 wrote: »

A can of Coke is 36c without any offers. What is the cheapest this would be at home? Maybe 80c?

I have gotten 2L for 1.19 "without any offers" (offers are often not advertised as such). I never buy cans.

I did a search thinking there might be a coca cola index, like the big mac one. One of the first hits was a cafe in france €7.60 for a can
http://www.hobotraveler.com/124_04israel.shtml

I think it was over €5 in charles de gaulle airport

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080922074245AAqMZXf

How much does a can of coke cost in euro's in france?

* 3 years ago
A 330ml can costs €0.55 to €1.00

Peter
Source(s):
Live in France

http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/whats-the-going-rate-for-a-diet-coke-in-france.cfm

you can find cans in supermarkets for about $1 a can

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_money.html

Expect to pay around 5 euros for a Coke and 4 euros for a glass of wine. We've actually paid 7 euros for a Diet Coke ($10 US at the time) at a café in St. Germain de Prés.

If you're worrying that all this wine will make you "too tipsy", be aware that the French believe "everything in moderation", whereas Americans believe "bigger is better". A glass of wine in Paris is 3-4 ounces, unlike the 8-10 ounce pours that are the custom in the US.

If you still can't break your Coca-Cola addiction, buy it at the Monoprix or local grocery. You'll still end up paying significantly more than in the US - 5 euros for a 6-pack of cans.

Seems you got a very good deal. You can probably find supermarkets prices online.

Crazy Horse 6

Greed pure and simple. You'll hear every excuse in the book (insurance,wages etc..) but it all comes down to the Irish being a soft touch for captains of industry.

Nanazolie

rubadub wrote: »

I did a search thinking there might be a coca cola index, like the big mac one. One of the first hits was a cafe in france €7.60 for a can
http://www.hobotraveler.com/124_04israel.shtml

That's the Fouquet's, for God sake! It's one of the most famous (and expensive) cafés in Paris. It's like being outraged at a 4 euros coffee at the Merrion

Here the prices of Coke and similar in a well know supermarket in France: http://www.auchandirect.fr/frontoffice/index/rayon/famille/15144/rayon/15152/ssrayon/-1

A pack of 6 cans of Coke is 2.44. In Tesco, the same pack retails at 3.75

Nanazolie

I did a comparison on a few products between the 2 sites, Auchan is much cheaper for some items, only marginally on others. I guess it's to do with the VAT not being the same on some products

However, there is a huge difference on baby products, mainly nappies.... in favour of Irish consumers. For ex, a Jumbo pack of Pampers Baby Dry size 5 (66 nappies) is 24.38 eur in Auchan. It's 16.39 eur in Tesco, and there are 2 more nappies in the pack

rubadub

Nanazolie wrote: »

That's the Fouquet's, for God sake! It's one of the most famous (and expensive) cafés in Paris.

well spotted sherlock, thats why I posted other links to estimated supermarket prices too. It shows there is a huge variation in france, I doubt any cafe here charges that much for a can of coke.

In dublin city pubs you would not see as much variation on the price of a pint as you would in Paris -so overall the average prices paid may be very similar, so I don't see the problem with pointing out both extremes. You mentioned €4 coffee as being an extreme Irish price, it was €6.50 in that cafe in paris.

Nanazolie wrote: »

A pack of 6 cans of Coke is 2.44. In Tesco, the same pack retails at 3.75

All the coke 6 packs are 2 for €6 in tesco right now. Pepsi is 6 cans for €1.97 in tesco.

Your 2.44 6 pack works out at 41cent per can, so just as I thought, the OP did get a very good bargain to get a single one for 36c.

Lisa2011

You have to wonder though if rent and rates came down would businesses really pass on the reduction to consumers. I would hope so but I doubt it.

Dunnes are offering 2 six packs of coke for €5. It used to €6.

keithclancy

Went to a pub in Eindhoven yesterday, 500ml of Guinness was 5 euros.

500ml of Heineken and Grolsch 4.80.

maxer68

Lisa2011 wrote: »

You have to wonder though if rent and rates came down would businesses really pass on the reduction to consumers. I would hope so but I doubt it.

Dunnes are offering 2 six packs of coke for €5. It used to €6.

wholesale pricing is not a secret. Many wholesalers publish their prices on the web ad its easy enough to call into the likes of musgraves.

On food items most supermarkets work on a profit margin of 15% to 30% depending on the item. Beans, standard breads, sugar and other staples are in the 15%-20% area whilst discretionery items like biscuots, mineral etc are in the 25%-30% area.

We have to remember that Ireland is a low density population country. Per sq ft, supermarkets will do far less sales than any supermarket in UK or on the continent. So whilst tesco Ireland in Portlaoise will buy 2 pallets of 6 pack cola cans in one delivery, a similar surpermarket in france will buy 10.

Skopzz

maxer68 wrote: »

Per sq ft, supermarkets will do far less sales than any supermarket....

We don't use imperial measurements anymore. You meant per sq Metre?

borderlinemeath

Skopzz wrote: »

We don't use imperial measurements anymore. You meant per sq Metre?

You might not use them for doing your schoolwork but in commercial property terms, square footage is used in preference to square metres. Have a look at almost any ad on daft.ie and the square footage is always given first followed by the metric equivelent (in brackets)

Skopzz

borderlinemeath wrote: »

You might not use them for doing your schoolwork but in commercial property terms, square footage is used in preference to square metres. Have a look at almost any ad on daft.ie and the square footage is always given first followed by the metric equivelent (in brackets)

In preference to Sq M?!?! That is in violation of EU directive & EU law on the use of measurements in business. Metric measurements are the ONLY legally accepted ones in Ireland and in the rest of the E.U.

In fact, companies advertizing in square feet are breaking E.U trade laws. Infringements like that can easily be reported to the European Commission resulting in the Irish Government facing fines for not enforcing that code. It could also go further to the European Court of Justice at the European Commissions discretion.

Square Meters are supposed to be used in Ireland.

maxer68

Skopzz wrote: »

In preference to Sq M?!?! That is in violation of EU directive & EU law on the use of measurements in business. Metric measurements are the ONLY legally accepted ones in Ireland and in the rest of the E.U.

In fact, companies advertizing in square feet are breaking E.U trade laws. Infringements like that can easily be reported to the European Commission resulting in the Irish Government facing fines for not enforcing that code. It could also go further to the European Court of Justice at the European Commissions discretion.

Square Meters are supposed to be used in Ireland.

Incorrect.

Any form of measurement can be used once the metric measurement is also indicated. This was temporary but is now permanent.


"In March 2009 a new directive (2009/3/EC) was agreed amending existing EU regulations on metric measurements. The new regulations permitted:
- the indefinite use of dual labelling in metric and imperial measurements;- the indefinite use of non-metric measurements where no metric ones exist, such as bytes in computing;- the indefinite use by the United Kingdom and by the Republic of Ireland of the pint, the mile and the troy ounce for certain specified uses.
The regulations came into force on 1 January 2010. No new time limits were imposed and so these decisions effectively became derogations and not, as they had previously been regarded, as transitional measures. "

In general conversation in Ireland and the UK, the imperial system is most commonly used - or maybe you ask for a 1/2 litre in the local pub?

Skopzz, I've read some of your other posts and you seem to get this terribly wrong due mainly to very poor research or very poor grasp of the subject involved. - I still wonder about your "economic advice" for everyone to buy sterling at .852 a few months ago as you claimed that it would get much stronger.

It still hasn't gone near the rate since and has averaged over 89c in the past 3 months!

I for one will not be taking any of your "views" as correct based on your past comments.

Skopzz

maxer68 wrote: »

Incorrect.

Any form of measurement can be used once the metric measurement is also indicated. This was temporary but is now permanent.


"In March 2009 a new directive (2009/3/EC) was agreed amending existing EU regulations on metric measurements. The new regulations permitted:
- the indefinite use of dual labelling in metric and imperial measurements;- the indefinite use of non-metric measurements where no metric ones exist, such as bytes in computing;- the indefinite use by the United Kingdom and by the Republic of Ireland of the pint, the mile and the troy ounce for certain specified uses.
The regulations came into force on 1 January 2010. No new time limits were imposed and so these decisions effectively became derogations and not, as they had previously been regarded, as transitional measures. "

In general conversation in Ireland and the UK, the imperial system is most commonly used - or maybe you ask for a 1/2 litre in the local pub?

Skopzz, I've read some of your other posts and you seem to get this terribly wrong due mainly to very poor research or very poor grasp of the subject involved. - I still wonder about your "economic advice" for everyone to buy sterling at .852 a few months ago as you claimed that it would get much stronger.

It still hasn't gone near the rate since and has averaged over 89c in the past 3 months!

I for one will not be taking any of your "views" as correct based on your past comments.

Now you're just acting stupid towards me. This is not an intellect scoring game. So I'm done talking with you.

maxer68

Skopzz wrote: »

Now you're just acting stupid towards me. This is not an intellect scoring game. So I'm done talking with you.

Nope - just show how blatantly wrong you are in both this thread and other threads.

I much prefer to comment based on actual facts rather than any made up view with no substantiation. It allows for better debate and better answers on these threads.

keithclancy

Hey come on ... Take it from me, Ireland is great for shopping.

24 hour Supermarkets, lots of choice, tons of shopping centers around the place.

The continent isn't some mad cheapo party for people living there, if stuff is cheap its cheap for a reason, either becuase its in a low income area or its in an area with low rent.

E.G. I go into Eindhoven to shop for clothes I pay a premium, if I drive 45 minutes south down to the Roermond Outlet Center theres great deals to be had, simply because the rents are lower.

Similarly, the Germans come across the border to buy coffee because 40-50% cheaper than in Germany (Due to taxes).

What I wouldn't give to be able to go shopping on a Sunday, or being to do grocery shopping at 12 at night.

The prices are definitely lower in Ireland simply because you have more choice to shop around and theres more competition.

You'll always pay extra for convenience and brands.

In the Netherlands the competition isn't great, theres a chain of Supermarkets called Albert Heijn that seem to multiply like rabbits and they are rubbish (in the Randstad anyway) with high prices and crap service.

Some guy even made a song about it, which every expat can relate to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZ9d-g1fA8

saywhatyousee

keithclancy wrote: »

Hey come on ... Take it from me, Ireland is great for shopping.

24 hour Supermarkets, lots of choice, tons of shopping centers around the place.

The continent isn't some mad cheapo party for people living there, if stuff is cheap its cheap for a reason, either becuase its in a low income area or its in an area with low rent.

E.G. I go into Eindhoven to shop for clothes I pay a premium, if I drive 45 minutes south down to the Roermond Outlet Center theres great deals to be had, simply because the rents are lower.

Similarly, the Germans come across the border to buy coffee because 40-50% cheaper than in Germany (Due to taxes).

What I wouldn't give to be able to go shopping on a Sunday, or being to do grocery shopping at 12 at night.

The prices are definitely lower in Ireland simply because you have more choice to shop around and theres more competition.

You'll always pay extra for convenience and brands.

In the Netherlands the competition isn't great, theres a chain of Supermarkets called Albert Heijn that seem to multiply like rabbits and they are rubbish (in the Randstad anyway) with high prices and crap service.

Some guy even made a song about it, which every expat can relate to

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZ9d-g1fA8

Albert Heijn do lovely chocolate and doughnuts,their meat and cheese are poor quality though.

colrow

And there Sugar Bread is wicked !!

irbx

just back from france. was shopping in Intermarche in paris. prices were for food pretty much same a here. some stuff was cheap and other stuff was more expensive. but looking at the receipt french are charged vat on food of 5.5% where here in ireland on food we have zero rate bar junk food.

this is a big difference in wine and beer but this down to stamp duty differences.came back with 2 full suit cases full of very good french wine. that cost a arm and leg over here. enough to keep me going for next 6 months!

maddragon

My experience has been that grocery shopping in France costs pretty much the same as Ireland. Alcohol is obviously much cheaper but products such as branded breakdast cereals are considerably more expensive. Also check the prices of toys in France. These can be up to twice the price you pay in Smyths here.