This Saturday, November 23, activists from Core In Fronte took over the Furiani shopping mall to denounce Auchan's pricing policy, considered excessive. Since the Rocca group stores replaced the Casino brands in September, prices have reportedly significantly increasedaccording to the independence party. A situation which, according to the organization, aggravates the already heavy economic difficulties on the island.“Corsica has low wages, a high rate of poverty, and higher prices compared to provincial France: 7% in general and 14% on the prices of food products, according to an INSEE source from 2023”, said the movement's spokesman, Batti Lucciardi.
According to Core un Fronte, since the takeover last September of the 18 former Casino stores by the Auchan group, under the management of Patrick Rocca, for an amount of 30 million euros, prices would have increased considerably. “Since this takeover, prices in the new Auchan stores have been higher than in the old Casino supermarkets. This is all the more unacceptable as the Casino brand's prices were already higher compared to the competition. » insists Batti Lucciardi.
The figures speak for themselves: according to the party, a typical basket made at the beginning of November in Prunelli shows a difference of 35 euros between Auchan (€155) and other local brands (€120). An untenable situation for the Corsicans, who are already experiencing reduced purchasing power. “Corsican consumers cannot be considered as cash cows and do not have an expandable wallet. They are deserting some of these new stores. » Result : « significant drops in attendance, with a loss of 30,000 euros per day for the Auchan de Toga in Bastia, and a 40% drop in activity at Furiani.» denounce the activists.
In addition to consumers, the situation also impacts store employees and their service providers. Core In Fronte sounds the alarm “The group's 1,200 employees fear for their future, in a degraded economic context for Auchan at the national level, with thousands of jobs lost. » claims the party according to which « the Falling attendance at shopping malls also affects local traders and service companies, with some recording zero delivery days.»
Proposals for a fairer economy
Core In Fronte doesn't just criticize the price rise. The party is putting forward several measures to curb the high cost of living and preserve the purchasing power of Corsicans. In particular, he calls for the blocking and control of the prices of basic necessities, following the example of the measures applied overseas, notably in Martinique. The creation of a public food purchasing center is also among the demands, with the aim of guaranteeing competitive supplies and promoting local production.
Furthermore, Core In Fronte calls for public control of price formation mechanisms, in order to limit the abuses of large brands, as well as a moratorium on the expansion of large-scale distribution, considered responsible for an economic concentration which weakens the island commercial fabric.
The movement also calls for a meeting with Patrick Rocca and the leaders of Auchan to obtain explanations on their pricing policy and pleads for a price review. For Core In Fronte, these adjustments are essential to meet consumer expectations and alleviate economic tensions on the island.
