The bottled water market - France

The global bottled water market exhibited significant growth, with a forecasted CAGR of 7.4% between 2022 and 2027, reaching a value of $349 billion. In France, despite market maturity, there was a 3.5% increase in bottled water sales, reaching €2.5 billion in a rolling year-to-date. French consumption patterns show a strong preference for still water, with Cristaline being the most popular brand. A rise in flavored water sales, particularly carbonated varieties, reflects a shift from sodas towards healthier options. The French market is also becoming increasingly eco-conscious, pushing for innovations in bottle recycling. The industry saw a slight increase in the number of companies to 225 and the value chain starts from water collection to distribution in various outlets.

The market is dominated by large groups like Danone, Nestlé, and Alma, with Danone generating €25.3 billion in sales revenue. The French trade balance for bottled waters is greatly positive, and there is competitiveness between bottled and tap water on economic and ecological grounds. Innovations are emerging to make bottles more eco-friendly, as evidenced by Vittel's launch of a 100% recycled PET bottle.

Trends and Dynamics in the Bottled Water Market in France

In the French bottled water market, consumer preferences and industry dynamics are evolving, characterized by growth, environmental consciousness, and innovation. French consumers are increasingly drawn towards still water over carbonated options, with a vast majority choosing still water for hydration purposes.

A notable shift towards healthier choices propels the expansion of the flavored water segment, which is seeing a surge in both value and volume, suggesting an inclination to replace sugary sodas with these alternatives. Sales of bottled water in France have continued to rise steadily, with recent figures indicating a value increase to between €2.4 and €2.6 billion. The market, mature yet growing, shows a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) hovering around 1.5% for France.

However, one cannot overlook the significant impact of external factors such as climate change, socioeconomic statuses, the aging population, and water's health benefits on this growth pattern. The French bottled water consumer persists in preferring brands such as Cristaline over others, making it the market leader. Although flavored water is still a smaller market segment when compared to plain water, it exhibits robust growth figures of around 14% to 15%.

This consumer move towards more diverse and healthy beverage options is shaping market offerings. The French market's sensitivity to environmental concerns is also increasingly evident. Initiatives to make packaging more eco-friendly are gaining traction as consumer recycling habits improve. Brands are introducing bottles containing higher percentages of recycled plastic, and legislative movements, such as the disposals targeting sales promotions and plastic usage in specific market segments, are influencing plastic bottle production and sales strategies.

France's bottled water trade balance stands robustly in surplus, with exports exceeding imports substantially, leading to a coverage rate between 145% and 150% in recent years. The country is a formidable player in the global bottled water export scene, showcasing its substantial capacity for production and international market presence.

Domestically, tap water presents itself as a formidable competitor to bottled water. The affordability of tap water, being up to 300 times cheaper, and its negligible ecological footprint compared to bottled water, remain strong advantages. Bottled water manufacturers are responding by finding innovative ways to reduce the environmental impact of their products and packaging, such as by pioneering bottles made of completely recycled materials.

In conclusion, the French bottled water market is characterized by growth stemming from consumer trends towards healthier, more environmentally conscious beverage options. The industry also faces strong demand for still and flavored waters, and an expanding export capacity.

Leading Bottled Water Brands Quenching the French Market

Danone Eaux France: As one of the major players in the French bottled water market, Danone Eaux France is the subsidiary responsible for handling the water division of the multinational food-products corporation. The company is known for numerous popular water brands, such as Evian and Volvic — both widely recognized for their natural mineral content and marketed for their health benefits. Evian's unique origin from the French Alps and Volvic's volcanic filtration system have been key selling points that resonate with health-conscious consumers.

Nestlé Waters France: Another industry giant, Nestlé Waters France, operates under the global umbrella of Nestlé — a household name in the food and beverage sector. The company boasts a portfolio of well-known bottled water brands, including Perrier and Vittel. Perrier's naturally carbonated mineral water, sourced from the south of France, has become synonymous with elegance and sophistication, while Vittel is appreciated for its mineral-rich content beneficial for active lifestyles.

Neptune (Alma Group): Neptune from the Alma Group is a significant force in the French market, thanks mainly to its Cristaline brand. Cristaline has managed to secure a dominant position, becoming the go-to bottled water brand for many French consumers due to its affordability and widespread availability. Its market leadership can be attributed to its value proposition of offering good quality water at a price point that's accessible to a broad demographic.

Ogeu: Carving out a space for itself as a specialized entity in the market, Ogeu caters to a segment of the market that values the authenticity and regional heritage of its products. As a company with roots dating back to the 19th century, Ogeu positions its offerings as premium yet rooted in local tradition, drawing from the Pyrenees mountains to provide natural mineral waters with distinct taste and mineral composition.

Water of Treignac: Treignac water is a smaller but notable player, renowned for its purity and composition, sourced from the heart of Corrèze. Although not as large as its rivals in terms of market share, Treignac water has carved out a niche by emphasizing the pristine natural environment of its source and offering a pure hydration experience to those who prize unblemished natural purity in their choice of bottled water.

Each of these companies holds a specific position within the French market, depending on factors like their brand heritage, product quality, price competitiveness, and approach to sustainability and innovation. As the competition between bottled and

Inforamtion

• Number of pages : 30 pages
• Format : Digital and PDF versions
• Last update : 11/04/2024

Summary and extracts

List of charts

• Share of worldwide bottled water sales volume
• Trends in the size of the global bottled water market
• Percentage of French people who drink bottled water
• Market share of bottled water sales by value
• Volume and value of bottled water sales vs N-1
• Table water industry sales trend
• Number of consumers of bottled mineral water by brand
• Bottled water purchase frequency
• Size of water bottles purchased
• Annual per capita consumption of bottled water
• Market share of bottled water sales by volume
• Different types of water consumption
• Motivations for drinking bottled water
• Barriers to bottled water consumption
• Recycling plastic packaging
• Number of companies in the manufacture of non-alcoholic beverages, production of mineral water and other bottled water
• Bottled water market share by category
• Consumer price index for mineral and spring waters
• Balance of trade in bottled water
• France's main customers
• France's main suppliers
• France's favourite still water brands
• France's favorite sparkling water brands
• Comparison of the level of appreciation of 4 brands of bottled water, according to gender
• Market share of leading water brands
• Trend in the number of establishments registered under activity 1107A "Table water industry"
• Change in the number of employees registered in activity 1107A "Table water industry"
• Market share in value of still water distribution channels
• Breakdown of still water expenditure by age group and family situation
• Breakdown of still water expenditure by socio-professional category
• Breakdown of still water expenditure by region
• Average expenditure per buyer per year
• Breakdown of bottled water sales by brand type
• Number of heat wave days per 15-year period