The last days before Christmas are always synonymous with large crowds in stores, particularly to buy artisanal products. In Corsica, even if eating habits have changed a little, end-of-year celebrations are still just as popular.
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Capon, chocolate, frozen logs… Like every year, the great Christmas classics are clearly on display on the shelves. Customers rush to make their final purchases. For their part, traders bend over backwards to prepare the different products.
In Bastia, butchers, delicatessens and even chocolatiers are on deck, as Dorian Martinelli, co-manager of a butcher's shop, testifies: “The pace is high, we start very early and we finish very late.”he comments. This period is particularly favorable for their businesses: “Christmas is 70% of our turnover” explains Muriel Leoncini who runs a pastry shop in the center of Bastia.
Although the Christmas holidays are always a time for tasty, high-quality food, customer habits have changed somewhat in recent years. “Before, it was a lot of Corsican meals, with goat and lamb. Now, we are turning more towards poultry” explains Jean-Charles Martinelli, president of the Corsican Chamber of Trades and Crafts. “Today, we also have to cook a lot more for people” he adds.
If the products have changed, consumption patterns have also adapted to wallets. With inflation, Corsicans sometimes spend differently. “This year, the baskets are a little less important, but perhaps a little more numerous” notes Antoine Filippi, manager of a delicatessen. Muriel Leoncini confirms: “I noticed a small drop in sales of savory products”.
To avoid difficulties, some stores have decided not to increase their prices: “This year, we based ourselves on last year's prices, nothing took a cent.” attests Jean-Charles Martinelli who also manages a butcher's shop with his son.
Even if financial difficulties are significant for some, Christmas always remains a time conducive to good humor and “people still know how to have fun” says Dorian Martinelli. Like Etienne, many of them are willing to spend for the end-of-year holidays, because for him, there is no doubt: “Christmas is very important, we enjoy it as a family by getting together, and that’s the goal.”
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