Parisians opt for c-stores, online shopping in wake of terror attacks
Parisian consumers are avoiding big department stores and switching to convenience stores and online shopping in the wake of November 13 terrorist attacks, reported Bloomberg Business.
Big stores like Galeries Lafayette’s main store in central Paris have received fewer visitors in the past two weeks while supermarkets and convenience stores located in neighbourhoods away from shopping and tourist areas have been receiving more customers.
French c-store chain Casino Guichard-Perrachon has seen an increase in shoppers, which could result in good fourth quarter, according to Sanford C. Bernstein analyst Bruno Monteyne.
Bernstein also predicted that the shift in shopping trends will continue into the new year.
“The likely rationale for this growth is consumers wanting to stay away from large hypermarkets, particularly as they are normally attached to malls.”
Parisian Valerie Meyer bought her nephew’s gift online and prefers to do her grocery at a convenience store closer to her home.
“I don’t want to hang out anywhere that could be a target like a mall…It’s more expensive (at convenience stores) but I feel more comfortable,” Meyer said.