According to forecasts of the largest Federal food retailers and analysts, the new year food in 2016 may return to the level at the end of 2014. Peak sales retailers expect 30 and 31 December – these days the trade turnover, according to statistics, grows by more than half. Interviewed by "Izvestia" experts are sure that consumers will try to buy what he had long planned.

"Consumption in the pre-Christmas week from year to year shows a growing dynamics. Composing festive menus, customers prefer the popular ingredients for salads, choose champagne and chocolates" — said in a network "Diksi".

The representative of the retailer stressed that "the most active sales traditionally fall on peak season – 30 and 31 December, these days the average daily turnover above indicators Dec 60%".

The Group also added that the sales of caviar in December, on average, grow three times in comparison with the other months, and sparkling wines sold by more than 2.5 times. Candy and chocolate are always a popular treat and gift, so in comparison with November, in December the demand for chocolate grows by 60%, and in the last days before the new year is 200%.

Director of marketing network "Crossroads", Dmitry Medvedev said that in the last days of December buying activity should return to the level of the end of 2014, when the average check increased by 30-40% relative to the results of the Nov.

"We note that consumer confidence, it is possible to speak about stabilization of consumer sentiment", he said.

In addition to the amount of the average check in the new year period is always increasing the number of goods in the consumer basket, reminds Dmitry Medvedev.

"This year we expect that buyers will come to us like normal everyday and holiday purchases, and to buy delicacies and gifts,"he said, adding that gift today can be and delicacies, "as the value of the expensive food as gifts has grown."

Managing partner Kirikov Group Daniil Kirikov recalls that, according to the Bank of Russia, consumer prices for food products in 2016 was 4%, and non-food products – 6,2%. According to Rosstat, retail trade turnover in the first 11 months of the year decreased by 5.1%.

"But we should not forget about the influence of psychological factors: during the Christmas holidays most people will try to "forget" that will mean a transition to a temporary consumption at pre-crisis level", — he said.

We will remind, earlier Rosstat estimated the cost of a set of foods that will be needed in 2016 to prepare the Christmas dinner the family of five. This amount is 5585 rubles, which is 3.6% higher than a year earlier. For example, traditional Olivier salad added to the cost compared to the previous year by 1.8% to 310 rubles, and herring under a fur coat rose 3.7%, to nearly 155 rubles.