Table of Contents
- 1 Main restaurants
- 2 Impact on smokers and border areas
- 3 Concern for Belgian tobacconists and impact on local companies
- 4 Future developments in tobacco prices
- 5 What strategies are local businesses near the Belgian-French border implementing to cope with the decline in French customers due to rising tobacco prices?
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Main restaurants
- Tobacco prices in Belgium have risen, making them less able to compete with France.
- The price difference between Belgium and France is now very small, which discourages French smokers from crossing the border.
- The decline in cross-border shopping has an impact on local businesses in the area.
Recent increases in tobacco prices in Belgium have made border crossings less attractive to French smokers looking for lower prices. This move has raised concerns among Belgian tobacco retailers who fear losing a significant part of their customer base.
Impact on smokers and border areas
For decades, many smokers from the North of France came to Belgium to take advantage of much lower tobacco prices than in France. However, Belgian authorities have gradually increased prices in recent years, reducing the incentive to cross the border.
The latest price increase, implemented on November 11, has increased the price of a pack of cigarettes in Belgian tobacco from 8 to 11.50 euros. As a result, there is now only one euro difference between Belgian and French prices.
Concern for Belgian tobacconists and impact on local companies
Interviews with French smokers who live near the border show that they no longer see the need to travel to Belgium to buy tobacco. They say that without a huge price difference, the trip isn’t worth it.
This situation also affects other businesses in the border areas, as many French customers who came to buy tobacco would also visit local restaurants and shops, contributing to the economy local. Some business owners have noticed a decrease in the number of customers.
Future developments in tobacco prices
In France the cigarette prices expected to rise by another two euros by 2026. This future price increase could encourage French smokers to return to border crossings for cheaper cigarettes. Whether Belgium follows the same course as France, with a price increase in 2026, will depend on political decisions and the state of the economy at that time.
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2024-11-18 14:03:00
#French #people #Belgium #tobacco #increase #prices
What strategies are local businesses near the Belgian-French border implementing to cope with the decline in French customers due to rising tobacco prices?
Q: How do the recent tobacco price increases in Belgium affect French smokers who cross the border to purchase cigarettes?
A: French smokers who once crossed the border to buy cigarettes in Belgium because of its lower prices are now finding that the difference in cost is minimal due to the recent price hikes in Belgium. The question is whether they still find it worth their while to make the journey, or if they are choosing to purchase from domestic sources instead.
Q: What impact does this have on local businesses located near the Belgian-French border?
A: Local businesses in the border areas are feeling the pinch as French customers who used to come to shop for tobacco also patronized their restaurants and shops. With the dwindling number of French smokers crossing into Belgium, these local businesses may see a decline in overall customer traffic, potentially affecting their revenue and livelihoods.
Q: Do you think Belgium will continue to increase tobacco prices at the same rate as France? If not, how might that affect businesses both countries?
A: It remains to be seen whether Belgium will match France’s future plans to increase tobacco prices by 2026. If not, it’s possible that French smokers may once again flock to Belgian border areas for cheaper cigarettes, potentially boosting business for Belgian retailers and border-area businesses. However, if Belgium does raise prices in line with France, it could create an uneven playing field that disadvantages Belgian tobacco vendors and leaves French retailers with an edge in the market.
