Christmas 2025 Sees Significant Rise in Consumer Spending in France, Minister Reports

Serge Papin, the French Minister for Small and Medium Enterprises, Commerce, and Purchasing Power, has confirmed a notable increase in consumer spending during the 2025 Christmas season. According to Papin's interviews, December 24th experienced a 10% rise in shopping activity compared to previous years, reflecting a strong festive shopping surge. Food consumption was particularly robust, with some large retailers reporting increases between 15% and 20% compared to 2024. Despite the heightened spending, the average Christmas shopping basket cost dropped slightly to approximately €155, a decrease of around €1.80 from 2024, marking the second consecutive year of a downward trend in basket cost.

Looking ahead, Papin expressed optimism regarding New Year's Eve spending and broader consumption trends into 2026. He outlined plans to stimulate household purchasing power, including a 1.18% increase in the minimum wage, now netting €1,443, and proposed a simplified profit-sharing scheme for SMEs designed to channel more value toward consumer spending without additional social taxes.

Additionally, Papin highlighted ongoing efforts to combat financial difficulties faced by small businesses, emphasizing support for a law aimed at increasing penalties for late payments, which currently affect around 20,000 SMEs annually. He also noted the importance of continuing to reduce electricity tariffs to further bolster French consumers’ purchasing power.