At the end of the commercial negotiations which have just ended between manufacturers and mass retailers, “a quarter of food prices will fall from March,” said Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Système U on the set of “ Entrepreneurial spirit”, the economic program of the Le Figaro TV Île-de-France channel. For us, these include wheat-based foods, crisps, but also products from the world of drugstores, perfumery and hygiene.” On the other hand, the prices of dairy products should undergo a slight increase, “since we have just accepted the increase in agricultural materials”.
The discussions between distributors and multinationals were not easy, even though the deadlines had been shortened this year. On average, there was a one-point gap between the demand for price increases from multinationals, particularly foreign ones, and those from SMEs,” says the manager of the cooperative distribution group, which brings together 1,700 stores.
At the heart of the news with the opening of the Agricultural Show since Saturday, the EGalim law, which aims to guarantee a minimum income to farmers, will soon be reinforced with a new text presented by the summer. “I am pleading for the removal of option 3 in the EGalim Law, which allows 70% of manufacturers not to play the game of transparency,” defends Dominique Schelcher. Because it allows them to simply provide a certificate of commission to the accounts which indicates that they are in good faith, without detailing all their figures.
Like Leclerc, Carrefour or Casino, the number four in the sector, with 12% market share and a turnover of 30 billion euros (including the sale of fuel), underwent Bercy controls at its headquarters . “As we speak, there has been no sanction for Système U, but I have the impression that we need to have scapegoats for the situation,” he said. he. Also in recent days, the stores have received visits from farmers coming to inspect the French origin of the products. Système U’s private label products, which represent a third of its sales, are 80% manufactured by French SMEs, assures the manager.
Pointed out by some for having joined purchasing centers in the Netherlands and Switzerland, Dominique Schelcher defends himself. “We have no choice in this context of globalization and in the face of hard discount stores which do not play by the same rules,” he explains. It was essential to ally with other European cooperatives, family groups like Esselunga, to negotiate with multinationals who arbitrate by country.”
Also read: Dominique Schelcher, CEO of Système U: “I have a double professional life”
Born as the first grocery store, Système U, which celebrates its 130th anniversary this year, is the oldest player in food distribution in the country. “This logic of remaining independent while combining to be stronger together is still there,” rejoices Dominique Schelcher. Successive crises have proven that we are an extremely resilient profession with a future. Our mission will always be to bring meaning to relationships between citizens, proximity and service in our businesses, in a world that sometimes moves too quickly.”
