The FCD, which represents mass distribution, is calling on Parliament to ensure that the annual negotiations with food manufacturers, whose end was brought forward to January 15 by a bill, also start earlier. In a press release published on Friday, entitled “The French need rapid price reductions”, the Federation of Commerce and Distribution “solemnly asks Parliament to vote in favor of the bill that makes it possible to accelerate the closing of the negotiations commercial representatives at annual meetings with the largest multinational companies.
This project, presented on Wednesday in the Council of Ministers, aims to force distributors and manufacturers to conclude their annual negotiations on January 15 instead of March 1, to more quickly transmit the current slowdown in prices to consumers. But it also provides that manufacturers send the general conditions of sale (GSC) to distributors “no later than 45 days before January 15, 2024”, thus leaving them only a month and a half to discuss them.
The CDF requests “that a reasonable negotiation period be included in the text, so that its brands can effectively negotiate lower prices.” Jacques Creyssel, general delegate of the CDF, explained that it is imperative that the T&Cs be communicated “if possible before October 15, at the latest before November 1.” This would mean that deputies would modify the text of the law by adding “75 days” instead of “45 days”, which would allow the debates to be prolonged for another month, according to Jacques Creyssel.
Postpone the entry into force of the Descrozaille law for one year
“The brands also ask the national representation to allow promotions of more than 34% on pharmacy and hygiene products sold by large international brands to be maintained for one year,” continues the CDF, asking parliamentarians to postpone it. for a year. the entry into force of the Descrozaille law, scheduled for March 1. “Today, too many French people give up consuming these essential everyday products,” she writes.
Chaired by the general director of Carrefour (no. 2 in the sector), Alexandre Bompard, the FCD also represents Auchan, Aldi, Casino, Système U and non-food brands, such as Boulanger, Darty or Go Sport. Leclerc (n°1) and Intermaché (n°3) are not among them. He estimates the number of jobs in the sector at 750,000, with “more than 30,000 points of sale for a turnover of around 225 billion euros without taxes.”
Source: BFM TV
