Major Supermarket Chains Launch Campaign to Protect Consumer Purchasing Power

Paris – 06/23/2026: Leading French supermarket chains E. Leclerc, Carrefour, Intermarché, Coopérative U, Auchan, as well as the Fédération du commerce et de la distribution (FCD), launched a joint communications campaign on June 22, 2026. This initiative aims to underline the importance of their negotiations with the industry in protecting consumer purchasing power.

As part of the campaign, twelve selected consumer goods are presented, including well-known brands such as Coca-Cola, Carte Noire coffee, Nutella, and Petit Écolier by Lu. The prices of the products before and after negotiations with manufacturers are contrasted. For example, the price for a specific shopping basket was reduced from 71.49 euros to 52.12 euros, representing a savings of nearly 37%. Without these negotiations, prices would be significantly higher, the supermarkets emphasize.

The annual price negotiations take place between December 1 and March 1 and are crucial for product pricing. The supermarket chains warn of the consequences of legal restrictions on their negotiating power proposed in a draft agricultural emergency law. These changes require, among other things, that certain practices must be justified in writing, limiting the flexibility of retail chains.

Thierry Cotillard, CEO of Intermarché, describes reducing orders as one of the last means to exert pressure in price negotiations. He sees the risk that new regulations could complicate negotiations and ultimately lead to higher consumer prices.

This campaign is launched against the backdrop of rising food prices in France. Industry reports forecast that prices will continue to rise in September 2026 due to increased transport costs and higher plastic prices. The supermarket chains want to strengthen their negotiating position to mitigate price increases and relieve consumers.

At the same time, the industry is facing criticism from the manufacturing sector. The Association nationale des industries alimentaires (Ania) accuses large retailers of harming the French industrial sector through excessive price pressure. Jean-François Loiseau, President of Ania, calls for stronger regulation and control of negotiations to ensure a balanced relationship between the interests of supermarkets and the food industry and to guarantee product quality.

The current development highlights the complex relationships between supermarkets, industry, and consumers in France. While retail chains emphasize their role as defenders of purchasing power, it is also important to create fair conditions for the entire sector to ensure the long-term stability of food supply.

In the coming months, the impact of ongoing negotiations on prices and product quality will be closely monitored. The campaign focuses on raising consumer awareness of the challenges behind the scenes in the food trade and fostering dialogue between retail and industry.