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In the hustle and bustle of a supermarket’s crowded aisles, the French indulge in a common habit. They slide the same products into their carts, loyal to their favorite brands. Yet behind the colorful labels and catchy slogans, an insidious trend is emerging. Most stores do it, to the detriment of customers. But things will change.
A practice without transparency
Imagine yourself, basket in hand, scanning the shelves for your favorite products on the shelves from the supermarket. You are used to these packets of cereals, biscuits or coffee. They have become familiar companions for your breakfasts and your gourmet breaks.
Yet something has changed. You feel it, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. The packaging looks the same, but the quantities are no longer the same.
The « shrinkflation » is this sneaky practice which consists of reduce the quantity of products without touching the packaging. Agri-food manufacturers, subject to the pressure of production costs and galloping inflation, have found a discreet solution to preserve their margins.
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Consumers, for their part, find themselves with fewer products. for the same price. Sometimes, under the pretext of an increase in goods, prices increase while the contents decrease.
For more transparency in supermarkets
The figures speak for themselves! More than two out of three French people declare themselves loyal to a brand in supermarkets. For some, it’s a matter of trust, for others, a well-established habit. But brands are not always so loyal to their customers.
“Shrinkflation” is a low blow that leaves consumers perplexed. They find themselves faced with packets of crisps that seem lighter, yogurts that have lost a few grams, or boxes of laundry detergent that have put on a diet without warning.
To counter this trend, the government has taken measuresJuly 1, 2024 marks the entry into force of a decree published in the Official Journal on May 4.
From now on, supermarkets will have to put up a poster near the products concerned. This notice must be visible for two months after the marketing date. If the quantity decreases without a change in price, it should indicate: “For this product, the quantity sold increased from X to Y and its price in (relevant unit of measurement) increased by …% or …€. »
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Supermarkets face 3,0000 euro fine
From July, the stores of more than 400 m² must clearly display variations in quantity and price on the products.
If a packet of biscuits contains fewer biscuits than before, the consumer must know the change. Then, if the price of a product has increased, this information will also be visible to be noticed in scrupulously analyzing the labels.
Supermarkets that do not comply with these new regulations are therefore exposed to financial sanctions. For individuals, the maximum fine is 3,000 euros. For legal entities (understand companies), it can reach 5,000 euros. Suffice to say that distributors have every interest in playing the transparency game.
It is also important to note that some preparations sold in supermarkets are exempt from this measure. Products sold in bulk or prepared meals, the quantity of which may vary during preparation, are not affected.
Likewise, the small areas as Carrefour Market or Auchan Market are not required to display this information. You will therefore need to be vigilant in certain points of sale.
