Leclerc supermarkets in France fail to reduce fuel prices by 30c as pledged
CEO acknowledges the promised cut is not going ahead
The Leclerc CEO attributed the change of plan to volatility in wholesale fuel markets
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Fuel prices at stations run by E.Leclerc have not fallen by the 30 centimes per litre reduction as promised last week. The group’s CEO says the cuts will not happen now.
The retailer had pledged that drivers would soon see a sharp drop in pump prices as new deliveries reached its forecourts during the week following talks with refiners.
However, Michel-Edouard Leclerc has now acknowledged that the widely cited cut will not happen. Contacted by Franceinfo, he said there would be no nationwide “minus 30 centimes” operation on fuel prices.
The statement marks a change from comments made on Wednesday (March 11), when he told Franceinfo motorists would soon see prices fall by “around €0.30 per litre” as stations were resupplied.
Official pump price data confirms the reduction has not appeared.
French media analysed price declarations submitted by petrol stations to the government’s fuel price database and identified 695 Leclerc stations across the country. You can access the database here and it can be a useful way to find out prices at fuel stations near you in France.
More than 500 Leclerc stations updated their prices the day after the announcement and again on Friday morning.
Average prices recorded at those stations were:
These figures do not show a drop of 30 centimes per litre.
However, they underline the widening gap between major chains and small independent stations.
Mr Leclerc attributed the change of plan to volatility in wholesale fuel markets.
Pump prices can change daily and depend on the cost of each delivery, he said, adding that fuel is sold in Leclerc stations with “zero margin”.
Leclerc stations nevertheless remain slightly cheaper than the national average.
The same data suggests prices are around 6.5 centimes lower for diesel, 5.2 centimes lower for SP95, 7.1 centimes lower for E10 and about 7.5 centimes lower for SP98.
Other retailers have also stressed that pump prices follow wholesale fuel costs.
TotalEnergies has capped petrol prices at €1.99 per litre and diesel at €2.09 at its stations until the end of March
.
