Some large brands will start selling masks on May 4 to fight the spread of coronavirus and all major brands will do so on May 11, Secretary of State for Economy Agnès Pannier-Runacher announced on Wednesday.
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"I am announcing today an agreement with the large distribution so that certain signs start selling them as of next week and all the signs as of May 11", declared Agnès Pannier-Runacher during an interview granted to BFM Business. They will cost "between 2 and 3 euros for reusable washable masks, or between 10 and 30 cents per use," she said, adding that paper masks for single use will be sold by major retailers at cost price. .
The price of the masks will be "limited"
In a press release immediately after this announcement, the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Federation of Commerce and Distribution specified that Auchan, Aldi, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora, Groupe Casino, Intermarché, Leclerc, Lidl, Netto , Supermarché Match, Système U "confirm that masks for the general public (in fabric and reusable) and masks for single use will be gradually put on sale, in stores and drive, from Monday, May 4, with supplies that will rise in power after May 11 ".
"The large retailers agree that the price of the masks will be limited to allow their acquisition by all French people" and the masks will be sold "with a minimum margin," added the press release. "The price of a disposable mask will be less than 1 euro, in line with their purchase prices abroad," said the same source.
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"The Ministry of the Economy asked the signs of the large food distribution to be drawn up a guide of good practices for the sale of masks in stores, so as to guarantee a fair and serene distribution of this protective equipment (in particular the number of masks possible per purchase.) Each brand will specify the procedures for purchasing masks in its stores, "add the ministry and the Federation.
"The withdrawal will be made upon registration, at a defined time slot"
In a separate press release, Intermarché however specified that "in order to organize responsible distribution, the 90 million masks intended for customers will not initially be available on the shelves". The brand will contact customers with loyalty cards and who authorize the brand to contact them by e-mail to ask them if they wish to "benefit from this offer at cost price". If they are interested, they will receive a single-use reservation voucher, allowing them to come and collect a box of 50 surgical masks at the reception of their point of sale.
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"To facilitate the provision, the withdrawal will be made upon registration at a defined time slot", specifies the sign. Other Intermarché and Netto customers will be able to reserve these boxes of masks from Monday, May 4 on the websites of these two brands, we add from the same source.