Margaux Fodéré 10:16 a.m., January 31, 2024

The government is not the only one to crystallize the anger of farmers. Across the country, heavy-handed actions are taking place against Leclerc supermarkets. The brand, which boasts of offering the lowest prices on the market to its customers, is designated as the symbol of the low remuneration of French farmers.

One of the French's favorite brands is fueling the anger of the agricultural world. Leclerc supermarkets are being targeted by farmers, who have been demonstrating for more than a week to protest against respect for Egalim laws and the multiplication of environmental standards. 

Intrusions into stores, collapsed roofs, plowed up parking lots... The raids are increasing. Because, in the eyes of operators, Leclerc embodies the power of mass distribution. It must be said that it is the brand that made the most progress during the inflationary crisis. Its turnover increased by 10% last year and almost a quarter of supermarket purchases are now made at Leclerc. 

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"A symbol"

“The second element, of course, is visibility. That is to say that this brand has an ambassador (Michel-Edouard Leclerc editor’s note) who, in the media, is extremely present. at the Leclerc brand, it's a bit like when we attack McDonalds, it's a symbol", also underlines at the microphone of Europe 1, Rodolphe Bonasse, distribution expert. 

Beyond the symbol, farmers point the finger at the brand's strategy. Faced with inflation, Leclerc is seen as the cheapest supermarket in France, attracting ever more customers looking for a solution to lower their receipts. And if consumers are delighted, farmers feel like they are paying for them.

Leclerc designated as “first responsible” for the fragility of farmers

“Leclerc is being attacked by the agricultural world because there is a link made with the promise of a brand which, for decades, has defended selling the cheapest possible products. And this idea that because Leclerc sells the cheapest possible products, it is undoubtedly he who also buys them the cheapest. Therefore, the brand is designated as the first responsible for this tension on the standard of living of farmers" , he continues. 

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At the beginning of January, the boss of the company, Michel-Edouard Leclerc, assured that he wanted to "smash inflation", assuring that he wanted to ask manufacturers "to lower prices, because they indulged in too much sugar last year ". Contacted by Europe 1, the brand did not respond to our requests.