Anti-inflation basket: from the beginning of March, brands, products

The outlines of anti-inflation basket become clearer. The government assures that it will be offered to consumers “from the beginning of March” to enable the French to cope with soaring prices on supermarket shelves. Especially since “new tariffs will apply and we must expect a further price increase a bit exceptional“ warns the government. This anti-inflation basket will contain around fifty everyday products at cost price (food and non-food), with, according to Le Figaro, fresh products, including five fruits and vegetables, but also organic products, red and white meat, and fish. Each brand is free to offer its own products. This is the case of U stores (Hyper U and Super U) which already launched, at the beginning of February, a anti-inflation basket containing 150 products. But for UFC-Que-Choisir, the contents of this basket queries. The Lidl brand will offer around fifty products from March, while the Auchan storeswho welcome the government’s operation, want to focus on more fresh produce.

When will the anti-inflation basket be implemented?

The anti-inflation basket will be offered to consumers from the beginning of March, specifies the office of Olivia Grégoire. The Minister in charge of Trade had also specified, on January 30, on Europe 1, that this operation would be put in place for a period of three months. However, the Système U brand has already been offering its own anti-inflation basket since February 1, 2023, with 150 everyday products at low prices. At Lidl, the basket will be offered to consumers from March 1.

What products make up the anti-inflation basket?

The anti-inflation basket, designed by the government, will contain “about fifty everyday products that would meet the needs of a family with children”, said the minister. Among these products will be meat, dairy products, hygiene products but also fresh and organic products. The objective is to “ensure that the French can have attractive prices on a daily basket. I’m keen that there are also quality products, fresh, organic products and that it’s not just a low price basket, but a daily basket.“, had specified Olivia Grégoire. In addition, each brand is free to offer its own products and a more substantial list. This is the case of System U which has composed its anti-inflation basket with 150 everyday products at low prices.

System U launches its anti-inflation basket with 150 products

In all Hyper U and Super U stores, and on the Drive website of the coursesU.com brand, an anti-inflation basket has been available since February 1, 2023 for a “indefinite period”, explained Dominique Schelcher, president of Système U at theAFP. 150 consumer products make up the System U basket, of which hygiene products (baby diaper, shower gel, toilet paper, etc.), foodstuffs (dough, coffee, oil, sandwich bread, candy, cake, aperitif cake, canned vegetables, fruit juice, alcohol, etc.) but also fresh food (meat, yogurt, ice cream, butter, cream etc).

UFC-Que-Choisir unconvinced of System U’s anti-inflation basket

The consumer association points the finger at the contents of the anti-inflation basket of U stores. Indeed, among the list of products offered are no less than 8 alcohols such as vodka, whiskey, pastis, beers or rum. UFC-Que-Choisir also regrets the choice of low-diet foods offered as crisps and peanuts. As far as children’s nutrition is concerned, the fruit juices contained in this anti-inflation basket are all rated C, D or E Nutri-score. This is also the case for 39% of the products that make up the basket. The vegetables offered are canned or frozen, incorporated into prepared meals, but there are no fresh fruits and vegetables. Finally, there are also cookies, pastries, chocolates and two bags of candy, notes the UFC.

Lidl’s anti-inflation basket

The low cost brand lidl will soon offer its own anti-inflation basket, from March 1, 2023. It will be made up of 50 everyday products, including organic products, food, fresh and frozen products, groceries but also cleanliness and hygiene products, detailed Michel Biero, executive director of purchasing and marketing at Lidl France. this Wednesday, February 1 on BFM TV.

Auchan wants to launch an anti-inflation basket made up of fresh products

The brand welcomes the government’s system but wants to put more emphasis on fresh products such as meat, fish and fruit and vegetables. “We adhere to the spirit of the government’s anti-inflation basket and the intention, but we are not convinced by the method because we believe that the emphasis should be placed on fresh products” explained Pascale Cartier, director purchases at Capital. About fifteen fruits and vegetables will thus be offered at low prices and consumers will find offers for less than 5 or 10 euros at the fishmonger’s and seafood, and at less than 3 euros at the butcher’s. Nevertheless, at Auchan, the list will not remain fixed and the promotional items will rotate.