“Smaller shops and supermarkets are reached more easily; it’s natural that people prefer, in bad weather, to pop into a shop closer to home,” said Buurtsuper director-general Luc Ardies. “Our members are telling us they had more people come through the doors in December than they’ve ever seen before. The snow is a bit of a blessing for us.”

The economic crisis was already having a reviving effect on the fortunes of the corner shop. Supermarket giants Delhaize and Carrefour both operate chains of franchised stores owned and run by small business owners. In recent months, the parent companies have stood by and watched as their offspring – Delhaize City, Proxy and Carrefour Express – took back market share.

This is said to be due to more competitive prices and the simple fact that people are less willing to take the car to go to a supermarket when the same or similar products are available around the corner. The franchise operations may resemble the giant supermarket chains more than the old-fashioned independent grocer, but they are independent businesses, often staffed by families. “People realise that they can shop here for quality products that don’t have to be more expensive,” said Ardies.