AMSTERDAM, Dec 11 - Dutch supermarket sales growth is seen at 1.5 percent in 2010, down from a projected 2.5 percent this year as cautious consumers continue to curb spending, the Dutch Food Retail Association (CBL) said

The CBL said on Friday that, on a 52-week basis, sales were seen rising 2.5 percent to more than 31 billion euros ($45.7 billion) in 2009 despite the fact prices fell this year, dropping in October to levels not seen since June 2008.

Especially since the summer, consumers have started watching more closely their spending. People are more sensitive to discounts and home brands are very popular, CBL chairman Klaas van den Doel said in a statement.

Consumers are buying fewer luxury products, while sales are supported by the fact consumers tend to cut spending in areas other than food and drink, he said.

In October, market research company GfK forecast supermarket sales growth would slow to 1.5 percent in 2010 due to limited consumer income growth. [ID:nL8123905] (Reporting by Aaron Gray-Block; Editing by Dan Lalor) ($1 = 0.6790 euro)

Marketing