Amsterdam, Oct 8 - Dutch supermarket sales growth is expected to slow in 2010 to 1.5 percent from a forecast 3.5 percent this year, due to reduced consumer confidence and rising unemployment, market research company GfK said on Thursday. "(Consumer) income growth is expected to be limited in 2010," GfK said in a statement.
Sales for 2009 are expected to amount to 31.1 billion euros ($45.9 billion), while 2010 sales are seen at 31.6 billion.
The main reason for sales to continue to rise is that consumers will cut spending more at restaurants and cafes, and will spend more time at home, GfK said.
Third-quarter sales rose 4 percent, with September sales rising 2.7 percent to 2.34 billion euros, driven by promotional actions at Ahold chain Albert Heijn and Schuitema's C1000.