Supermarkets Launch Joint Price Offensive in France

Paris – 23.06.2026: The French supermarket chains Carrefour, Leclerc, and Système U have launched a joint price offensive to lower prices for consumers and strengthen their negotiating power with suppliers. This initiative aims to leverage combined purchasing volumes to secure better terms from suppliers and thus reduce prices for customers.

The collaboration of these major retailers is not new. As early as August 2025, Carrefour and Système U announced a strengthened alliance with eight German retailers through their European purchasing center “Concordis.” This partnership sought to increase bargaining power with a variety of large industrial suppliers. The inclusion of companies such as Rossmann, Globus, and Netto Nord enabled the French supermarkets to strengthen their market position and achieve better conditions.

Despite these efforts, there are concerns regarding compliance with French laws, particularly the “EGalim” legislation, which aims to regulate negotiations between retailers and suppliers to protect producers. Authorities fear that such international collaborations could be used to circumvent these laws. Therefore, President Emmanuel Macron has called for a “European EGalim” to harmonize rules at the EU level and ensure fair competition.

The current price offensive by the supermarkets comes at a time when French consumers are paying increased attention to prices. Rising living costs have led many to seek out deals and shop more price-consciously. Supermarkets are responding to this demand by offering more discounts and special promotions.

This strategy could also impact the market shares of the involved companies. According to recent data from Worldpanel by Numerator, Coopérative U has increased its market share to 13.1%, while Leclerc with 24.8% and Carrefour with 21.6% have also seen gains. These developments show that consumers are positively responding to the supermarkets’ pricing strategies.

It remains to be seen how this price offensive will affect competition in the French retail market in the long term. Experts predict that such initiatives could increase pressure on smaller retailers who may not be able to compete with the major chains regarding price reductions and promotions.

Overall, the supermarkets’ joint action highlights the trend toward greater collaboration in retail to meet the challenges of a changing market and more demanding consumers. However, it remains important to closely monitor the impact on competition and compliance with legal frameworks.