Since its announcement in mid-January, the proposal had remained unclear. The Minister for SMEs and Trade, Olivia Grégoire, is accelerating the implementation of her “anti-inflation basket”, which should take its marks in stores from March 1 in order to respond to the rise in food prices. The latter rose to 13% in January 2023 according to INSEE, while a further significant increase is feared in early spring.
The government wants to agree with distributors on a list of 50 types of products ” Daily “, whose increase would be limited. The precise composition of the basket and the price of the products will be left to the freedom of the stores. We should find there, in addition to basic necessities such as pasta, coffee, cereals, “meat, cleaning products, hygiene products, articles from organic farming and fresh products”, clarified Olivia Grégoire. “This basket should not entirely be the basket of first prices, but also that of quality”, we say to the minister’s office.
Distributors not all excited
What is the difference between this new basket and what is already happening in stores? Because large retailers have not waited for the government to launch their own promotions in recent months, such as Carrefour with its “anti-inflation challenge”, or Casino and its promise of a “purchasing power pack”.
So far, only Lidl and Système U have come out in favor of the government’s proposal and have taken the lead in launching their own « paniers anti-inflation ». Olivia Grégoire is still in discussion with the other distributors, who fear a measure that is too complex.
Reserves among farmers
This proposal also arouses reservations on the part of farmers. “Entrusting the food aid policy to mass distribution is anything but a good idea”, underline the FNSEA and the Young Farmers.
The government claims that the agreement will clearly state that the drop in profit margins should not be passed on upstream to farmers and manufacturers. But this provision will remain only a promise, not accompanied by a specific legislative framework other than that of the Egalim 2 law of 2021 protecting the remuneration of farmers.
The government is therefore counting on the responsibility and good faith of distributors, for an initiative which should last until the end of June, when an initial assessment will be made. “It is not binding, but controllable by public authorities and consumers, are we reassured in the minister’s office. We will follow this very closely. »