Noa Moussa 6:03 a.m., June 17, 2022, modified at 6:07 a.m., June 17, 2022

During the Covid-19 pandemic, bulk has fallen on hard times, driving consumers away from its shelves.

Current inflation, however, is gradually making them return to this ecological, economical and anti-waste solution which allows them to choose the desired quantity and therefore pay less. 

Her shopping bag in her arm and her glass jars in her hand, Emmanuelle, 53, wanders between the large reservoirs of flour, pasta and dried fruit.

This customer of the Mademoiselle Vrac brand is convinced by the benefits of this method of consumption on her wallet.

"I am still surprised when I go to the checkout by the low amount I have to pay," she explains.

"What is good with bulk is that you can choose your quantities and in these times of inflation, particularly with fuel increasing, you can continue to do varied shopping and not have too much salt added to your the end of the week".

Bulk attracts new customers

Sector professionals are unanimous: bulk is attracting more and more new customers.

Didier Onraita, CEO of the Day by Day bulk store chain, even projects an 8% increase in turnover by the end of the year. 

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However, novice customers don't always have the instructions for using detergent or shampoo themselves, so Clotilde guides them through the shelves of her store.

"Last week, a lady arrived with three Bonne Maman jars and she said to me, 'tell me what to do,'" says the manager.

"So she came on Tuesday, she bought a few things. She came back on Wednesday with her jars, her laundry cans and that's it, she was on her way," she explains.

Customers keep coming back

And according to Clotilde, her customers only spend around ten euros on their first visit, but they very quickly come back to fill their basket for the week, excluding fresh products that are not sold in bulk.