Commercial proximity pays off for Winners and Dreamprice

During the lockdown, while 2020 was marked by panic buying and hoarding, trust in the availability of products started prevailing in year 2021 and moderated consumer behaviours. In Mauritius, the Consumer Price Index, which stood at 106.1 in December 2020, registered a net increase of 7.2 points (or +6.8%) to reach 113.3 in December 2021. Food and non-alcoholic beverages rose by +10 %, namely fruits (+22.4%) and cooking oil (+22.9%). Likewise, ‘Furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance’ rose by +11.0%, namely ‘Other nondurable supplies’ which shot up to +38.7%. Geographical restrictions moreover favoured neighbourhood buying and ensured the boom of supermarkets established in strategic geographical locations.