Prices fluctuate throughout the year, in Luxembourg as well as abroad. Our colleagues at RTL 5Minutes consulted two experts from Statec to determine what to buy and when to make use of the best available prices.
Everyone knows plane ticket prices soar during the school holidays, but Statec have swept away any doubts, with their graph below showing that prices peak in April (Easter), July and August (summer holidays) and December (Christmas and New Year).
Marc Ferring, Head of Unit for Price Statistics, and Jérôme Hury, Head of Social Statistics Division, let the data speak for itself. The trend has remained the same for multiple years, with January, February, March, October and November the best months for cheap travel for those who are not constrained by school holidays.
In the off-season, bargain hunters are encouraged to travel to different hemispheres to make the most of the appropriate weather. So, the southern hemisphere for some winter sunshine, or the northern hemisphere for snow during Luxembourg's warmer months.
Simple, yet effective - waiting for the twice annual sales is the best way to take advantage of lower prices. Clothing, jewellery, shoes and other items can be found at bargain prices.
To really make the most of the sales, save your shopping for January and July.
Of course, this does mean tackling the crowds in search of the best bargains. While prices remain relatively stable throughout the year, RTL Today's Nathalie Lodhi has some well-worn tips for shopping smarter for each new season, as well as considering second hand items for a real bargain.
Although the price of alcohol stays relatively stable throughout most of the year, there is a significant drop in prices during the festive season. For fans of sparkling wine and champagne, it's almost a sale in itself.
For the last nine years, the months of January and October have also recorded a decline in price for alcoholic beverages, most likely explained by celebrations such as New Year and Halloween, which has gained in popularity in recent years. Months to avoid are May, August and November, when prices tend to be higher.
If you know your fruit and vegetables, you'll know when it's best to buy them. Prices are always better for products which are in season and don't need to be flown in from around the world.
For non-connoisseurs, it is worth looking up your favourites and making a note of when they will be in season. Some supermarkets, such as Cactus, have lists online for seasonal produce, perfect for helping you stay on track for your five a day.
According to Hury and Ferring, prices for devices tend to fluctuate much in the same way as clothing and jewellery. The same applies to furniture and appliances, although discounts tend to be less common.
Cars are a more complicated topic, with the occasional concession during car festivals, but in general prices remain static.
For more analysis on Luxembourg's prices, take a look at the Statec website.
