Economising focused on processed foods

According to a household survey by GfK Hungária, FMCG spending by households was down by 3.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the same period in 2008. FMCG sales were down by 6.5 percent, while overall retail sales were down by 3.2 percent. Spending on processed food categories was down by 5.1 percent, while the drop in sales of basic foods was less substantial. Similar trends were recorded in France, Holland and Germany in the same period. Households have been economising on consumption practically everywhere since 2008. The popularity of promotional sales, discounts and private labels has increased. These trends have been most prominent in the UK and Italy in recent months. No major shift in consumer attitudes has taken place in Hungary.