Water sales registered the largest annual increase of all products, of 79 percent in June and July 2007. Soft drinks and beer sales rose by 33 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
The sale of water rose by 65 percent, while soft drinks and beer increased 12 percent in June-July, compared to April-May 2007. Air conditioner sales practically doubled in the past two months year-on-year, up 30 percent over the April-May 2007 period. Beach product sales rose by 71 percent in June-July 2007 year-on-year, and by 250 percent from April-May 2007. Camping equipment registered sales three time higher than in June-July 2006, with a 30 percent rise over April-May.
The customer flow is also affected by the heat, with fewer buyers in Bucharest stores, and many more in hypermarkets in Brasov and Constanta, due to an increase in visiting tourists. "On hot summer days, we have noticed an increased flow in customers many prefer to spend their afternoon in a commercial center where they can keep cool while shopping," said Andreea Mihai, Marketing Manager of Carrefour Romania.
At present, the Carrefour Romania network includes eight hypermarkets in Ploiesti, Constanta, Brasov, and Bucharest. The company sold €608.9 million worth of products in 2006, up by 39 percent year-on-year.
