There has been mixed news for shoppers in recent months.
Negotiations between supermarkets and their international suppliers are causing the prices of some products to stabilise or even fall – good news after years of high inflation.
Prices are expected to fall by around 2% on certain supermarket products, including many beauty and hygiene goods.
However, prices for items such as orange juice, chocolate and coffee are expected to rise by up to 15% due to the impact of climate change on major growing regions.
Overall, the cost of living crisis has seen prices for most goods and services rise over the past few years, and food has been no exception.
Biggest price increases
Between January 2022 and January 2025 some of the biggest price increases included dairy (+26%), savoury groceries (+24.5%) and sweet groceries (+24.4%) according to data from consumer rights organisation UFC-Que Choisir.
Frozen food and ice-cream rose 23.3%, charcuterie was up 21.3% and meat increased by 18.5%.
Here are some of the best ways Connexion readers have found to save:
Read more: How to save money on train travel in France
Do your research
Jane Batt moved to Brittany from Cornwall in 2018 and runs the YouTube channel Frugal Queen in France.
She budgets €300 for her monthly food shop, which includes all food and drink, as well as toiletries and laundry products, and €100 for “great deals” ie. any bulk buy offers she knows she will use.
“You have to be a savvy shopper wherever you live. Buy some things in some shops, some in other shops,” she said.
She recommends downloading the apps of all nearby supermarkets and checking which ones have deals on every week. It is also worth getting to know when each supermarket releases its offers.
“If we want to get the best deals we do need to be in the store when it opens. If they have something that’s an absolutely fantastic price, they won’t have very much of it.”
Compare supermarket prices
Find out which is the cheapest supermarket in your area using price comparison tools, including UFC-Que Choisir.
Earlier in the year, the organisation ranked supermarkets and found the cheapest of the major French chains was E.Leclerc, while the priciest was Auchan. However, the ranking did not include budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl, which readers including Mick Hewitt recommend.
Another reader, Lesley MK, said it is worth noting that Aldi “puts the promotional offers on the shelf the afternoon before the date stated in the catalogue” – so get down early for a bargain.
Read more: Tips to save money when hiring a car in France
Buy only what you need
“I shop for two and find it a lot cheaper to go to Grand Frais [usually seen as a pricier option – editor’s note] because I can buy single fruits and veg,” said reader Venetia Hos Edwards.
While organic shops may seem more expensive, buying en vrac (not packaged, loose) “works out cheaper in the end,” she said.
“Shopping by weight and where you can buy only what you need is cheaper and saves on waste, which is also money in the bin.”
Check reduced items
Check the bacs ou armoires dates courtes – short date bins/cupboards for reduced items.
Many of these items are freezable, which will prolong their use-by date (check the packaging).
Deals are different in France
Sales and offers in France may differ from the UK, US or other countries. Offers tend to focus on one particular category.
A law banning supermarkets from offering “super promotions” such as buy-one-get-one-free came into effect in 2024 in a bid to protect smaller companies. Supermarkets cannot offer discounts of more than 34%.
“Things are very cyclical here, so in January it is anything to do with laundry – towels, bedding, sheets are on offer and so are laundry products. It’s not like the UK where anyone can have a sale whenever they like. Here it is regulated,” said Frugal Queen Jane Batt.
She recommends looking out for “mega deals”, for example, big discounts off something you use regularly. She always bulk buys coffee when it is on sale.
“I’ve noticed when the sales are on, the French have got whatever it is piled high and they stock up and that’s what I do. Sometimes it’s not always a brilliant deal, you have to think, "could I have bought that (for the same price) at another store”.”
Buy local and seasonal
Buying local and in season can often be a money saver. Check out your local market just before closing time, recommends reader Charlotte.
“Go to the street markets towards the end of the morning as the traders will be reducing their prices rather than taking the stock back with them.”
Eating seasonal produce also saves money, says Jane Batt: “I only buy things if they are in season; when cucumbers are in season, they are about 75-80 cents. If a cucumber is not in season it can be €1.85.”
Find an ‘anti-waste’ shop
There are a growing number of anti-gaspi (anti-waste) shops in France, whose aim is to cut down on food wastage.
They stock products that are still usable but would otherwise be thrown away. These can include oddly-shaped fruit and vegetables, items with packaging defects or products that were left over because of overproduction. They also include items with short use-by dates.
The chain Nous Anti Gaspi has 11 shops in Brittany, 12 in and around Paris and stores in Bordeaux, Tours and Lille.
Some supermarkets offer “anti-gaspi” boxes to sell fruit and vegetables that might otherwise be thrown away.
Frugality expert Jane Batt says there are some great deals to be had but checking items carefully is key.
Loyalty cards and and discount vouchers
Loyalty cards will often offer discounts on the products you buy the most often. You collect points, which can be exchanged for vouchers or discounts.
Just be aware that supermarkets have been tightening the rules lately – many points have to be used before a certain date and some chains have been phasing out their loyalty cards altogether.
Look at price per kilo
One way to check whether you are getting a good deal, and to compare offers by different brands, is to look at the price per kilo, rather than the price of the packet. Some packaging is deceptively smaller, so checking price per kilo lets you compare like-for-like.
Go for own-brand products
“The other way to save money is to buy generic – not buy the branded items. Often the supermarket’s own brand is as good but it will be considerably cheaper,” said Jane Batt.
Avoid rayon anglais
The ‘English aisle’ can often be extremely expensive, warns reader Mark Bennett.
“Avoid buying products displayed on the rayon anglais in the supermarket, they are grossly overpriced, especially if they have got a sticker on them with a description of content in French, HP sauce in particular!”
He also warns baked beans fans to avoid buying them in France and “buy them in bulk when and if you are in the UK”.
Anti-waste apps
Another great way to save is by downloading an anti-waste app, such as Too Good To Go or Phenix, which offer food from supermarkets, restaurants and bakeries left over at the end of the day for knock-down prices.
Sign up for free, choose an offer and then pick it up from the shop or restaurant. You can search by location, seeing offers close to you. Check early as items can sell out quickly.
Frugal shopper Jane Batt says the Phenix app is particularly good for bakery products. “We’ve paid €5 for bread and we’ve come back with bread to keep us going for two weeks – I’ve cut it up and bagged it and put it in the freezer.”
