French consumers still favour quality and physical stores for leathergoods
A new consumer study from Alliance France Cuir’s Economic Observatory has found that quality remains the leading criterion for French shoppers when buying leather goods.
The report, titled “Leather Goods Trade: Where do the French shop?”, reveals that seven out of ten people in France purchase at least one leather item per year, with quality and price jointly ranking as the most important factors influencing their decisions.
Physical stores continue to dominate, with half of respondents saying they buy their leather goods exclusively in-store. In addition, 85% of consumers prefer to see and handle products before purchasing. Traditional leather goods shops remain the top choice, while one in three shoppers favour city centre retail locations.
The survey also highlights the growing importance of eco-responsibility in purchasing behaviour. Sixty-one percent of respondents said they are willing to pay more for products that meet environmental standards, and one in three has already bought second-hand leather goods. Services such as product repair, maintenance, and second-hand options are in demand, as is clear information on materials, care instructions, and product origin.
