Cheaper car fuel as French supermarkets launch two-day promotion
Cost-price fuel may also entice buyers into the supermarket
Hundreds of stores are participating
Alexandru Nika / Shutterstock
Two French supermarket chains are offering fuel at cost price this weekend.
A total of 711 of E.Leclerc stores will sell fuel at this price today (December 19) and Saturday (December 20).
This covers most supermarkets and all but five of the chain’s hypermarkets (in Gap, Auxerre, Saint-Denis-lès-Sens, Dommartin-les-Toul, and Saint-Valéry-en-Caux).
Service stations on autoroutes are also excluded.
All standard vehicle fuels including E85 superethanol are being sold at cost price, although LPG and other heating fuels are excluded from the offer.
Similar offer at second chain
Cost price fuel will be available “at all Intermarché group stations,” over the same period, said CEO of Les Mousquetaires group that runs the supermarket Thierry Cotillard to TF1.
This applies only during opening hours of the Intermarché shops and the participating Netto stores (a chain also under the banner of Les Mousquetaires). A list of participating stores can be found on the Intermarché website.
All standard fuels are included with the exception of E85, and LPG and similar heating fuels also excluded.
‘Cost price’ fuel deals see supermarkets charge drivers only for the price of the fuel, transportation cost, and taxes, without adding any profit.
Whilst when factoring in wages and other costs this may see supermarkets make a small loss on each litre sold, this may be offset if fuel buyers then shop in the supermarket.
