The fact that consumption has entered a downward spiral is nothing new. And we don't just read that from the statistics. Traders also attest to it. Whereas they used to deliver three pallets, now there are only two or sometimes even fewer. However, according to Marco Babbi, sales manager of Italy's Caligari&Babbi, some consumption patterns are emerging.
Vittorio Caligari and Marco Babbi
"An increasingly broader group of consumers is eyeballing which products are on promotion rather than their own grocery list. When a promotion is currently running, sales often double by five times, whereas years ago it was only by two or three times. That's not a problem if at least every link in the supply chain can make a living."
"But there are also premium lines that still continue to retain their niche of consumers without budget concerns. They are the customers who are always looking for the refined product, with the best packaging and service."
On the packaging topic, Babbi agrees with Sophie Guillin, director of the Guillin Group, who presented in mid-February a research conducted by the group. "She said the results were very clear with 60% of companies who had switched from plastic to a substitute, registering an average 45% increase in waste. Over 40% have seen sales drop by more than 25% on average, while the alternative itself also costs between 30% and 60% more than plastic."
Caligari&Babbi's new building, futuristic for a fruit and vegetable warehouse
"Currently, our fennel originates from southern Italy, but sales are not only for the Italian market. It's not a particularly good period, but we are trying to add value to the product to still operate profitably."
For more information: 
Caligari & Babbi srl
Via Pietà , 77
Savignano su Rubicone (FC)
+39 0541 942599
[email protected]
www.finocchioitaliano.com