Plan for '2-for-1' deals in French supermarkets axed after backlash

Offers and promotions on food in France are to remain capped at 34% after farmers and food producers rejected a proposal to allow ‘buy one, get one free’ deals in supermarkets.

Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire had suggested on July 4 that the measure could be introduced within the context of rising fuel and food prices but this idea has now been abandoned after criticism from industry stakeholders.

Inflation : des contrôles vont être menés, "filière par filière", pour éviter "les marges révoltantes" dans le secteur alimentaire, explique @BrunoLeMaire. "Nous ne laisserons pas passer les profiteurs de la crise inflationniste" #le79inter pic.twitter.com/hP9bg4l7w2

— France Inter (@franceinter) July 4, 2022

Due to the ‘Egalim law’ that was passed in 2018 discounts in supermarkets are capped at 34%. The most supermarkets can currently offer is a ‘buy two, get one free’ deal. 

Read more: French supermarkets banned from super-low promotions 

Read more: 11 tips to save money on your food shopping in France 

After Mr Le Maire’s suggestion, representatives from the farming union FNSEA (Fédération nationale des syndicats d'exploitants agricoles) and the union for young farmers (Jeunes Agriculteurs) were heard at the ministry to discuss the issue.

They called the idea a ‘step backwards’.

To avoid further conflict, Mr Le Maire said that the suggestion has been revoked. As a result, promotions up to 50% will not be allowed in shops and supermarkets in France.

Read more: What is Macron's 'food cheque' plan to boost healthier local produce? 

The government is still set to help the lowest-income households with food costs, and plan to transfer a one-off €100 aid into eligible bank accounts automatically in Autumn with a view to the money being used on healthier food. 

This was previously described as a ‘food cheque’ and was pledged as part of President Macron’s re-election campaign.

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