ANTI-INFLATION BASKET 2023. The anti-inflation basket is extended until the end of 2023. Good news for consumers, with all brands continuing to freeze the prices of certain products.
Good news for the wallet of the French. Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, announced that the “anti-inflation quarter” was not going to stop on June 15 but will continue until the end of 2023. The boss of Bercy affirmed, on France 5having obtained the agreement of “all distributors” to continue the operation supposed to limit the impact of inflation on households by controlling the prices of many everyday products sold in supermarkets.
Supposed because the device, launched in mid-March, is not really framed. The distributors have simply agreed to sell a selection of products at the “lowest possible price”, without any ceilings having been established. By the end of the year, Bruno Le Maire hopes that discussions between the various consumer players will allow prices to be revised downwards. At this stage, some “did not want to lower retail prices while wholesale prices are falling,” the minister said.
The extension of the anti-inflation quarter should, however, allow households to limit their spending. Overview of what each supermarket brand offers.
In which stores can you benefit from this anti-inflation operation?
All the main retail groups are taking part in the anti-inflation operation launched by the government. Thus, products at controlled prices can be found at:
- Aldi
- Auchan
- Crossroads
- Casino
- Franprix
- Intermarché
- Leclerc
- lidl
- Monoprix (no anti-inflation basket, but a “Monopetitprix” system since last September. The price has been blocked for 300 products from 40 different categories)
- Super U
All consumers, without distinction, have access to the anti-inflation basket since Wednesday March 15, 2023 as part of the “anti-inflation quarter” system. It is not conditional on the level of income. The only real requirement on the part of the government: to see the promotions in the different brands register over time, at least for a quarter.
For the consumer, it is very easy to locate the products that are part of the operation in their supermarket. A logo “anti-inflation quarter” blue White Red is applied to the products concerned. Discounts are mainly applied to distributor brands signs. Indeed, they have more freedom on these brands there, and can therefore trim their margins more significantly.
The discount giant lidl offers an anti-inflation basket of approximately 50 products since March 1, 2023. “It’s important to support these kinds of ideas” declared Marc BieroExecutive Director of Purchasing and Marketing for the brand in BFM TV last February 1.
The Lidl basket is made up of organic, fresh, frozen, groceries, cleanliness and hygiene products. The German firm wishes to choose “the products that are found the most in the cupboards of the French.”
Initially, Leclerc had decided not to implement places an anti-inflation basket. The brand claimed that it was already the cheapest on the market. She finally backpedaled by blocking all the prices of the brand “Eco+”. Only these products are concerned but it concerns about 1000 of them, the group estimated.
The sign U-system launched its own anti-inflation basket, with 150 products at cost price, from February 1, 2023. This indefinite duration scheme concerns 150 products such as flour, pasta, mayonnaise, oil, coffee, honey, tuna, yoghurts, milk, sandwich bread and other burgers. Exclusively private label products.
For its part, the sign Crossroads launched an “essential and nutrition” basket of 200 products, including 100 for everyday use. This system initially runs from March 15 to June 15.
The Casino Brands will offer 500 products at less than 1 euro, the price of which they have blocked from March 15, 2023, in all Casino hypermarkets and supermarkets.
“Customers will find in all Casino supermarkets and hypermarkets a list of 500 products, identical regardless of the store, at less than €1, and whose price will be blocked for 3 months, from March 15 to June 15, 2023. These products are approximately half Casino brand products and fresh products, and the other half Leader Price products.They cover all the essential needs of daily consumption, i.e. a total of 48 product families: savory groceries and sweet, starchy foods and vegetables, cereals, dairy products and fruit compotes, body hygiene (shower gels, etc.), baby hygiene, housekeeping, animal feed, etc. “says Casino to Linternaute.com.
The sign Auchanshe presented her “solutions anti-inflation, pro pleasure” in its last official press release. It provides in particular since March 15, 2023:
- 15 fruits and vegetables at low prices per day, on dedicated stalls
- A selection of butcher’s items for less than 3 euros
- “Tide” offers on the fish market at less than 5 euros per kg
- 100% of products from the “self discount” section of its supermarkets at fixed prices (up to 1000 references, fresh, frozen, groceries, drugstore, perfumery, liquids)
- 150 products at blocked prices (Auchan and Pouce brands)
The Auchan brand has also decided to change the rhythm of promotions by revisiting the “traditional” 2+1 free. Customers can always buy two identical products, and benefit from a third free that they can pick up later in store. This avoids over-storage, and exceeding the expiry date.
The massive rise in the price of raw materials affecting the cost of food for all French people has prompted the government to act. According to the research company IRIfood prices rose by 13.3% in January 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. An unbearable situation for many low-income households, combined with soaring fuel and electricity prices. De facto, the executive wishes to protect the purchasing power of households thanks to a new device.